Year: 1862

PUMPKINVILLE, NEAR FORT COLVILLE,


Sept. 9th, 1862.


EDS. STATESMAN =" In the midst of life we
are in DEATH" is a truism which is too frequently
relieved of its insipidity by the appropriateness OF
its application; and l regret to chronicle an in
stance in point which has just come under my
observation. 1t appears that certain parties, in
and around Colville, seeing the quiet and unob-
:rusive habits of the military commander of this
district, fondly imagined that the time had come
when they might openly deal out their liquid
damnation with impunity, and so for few days
the yilest of rotgut flowed freely, until the murder
of young man by the name of John Dowd, be-
longing to the Washington Territory Infantry,
caused the Major to clap stopper on their pro-
oeedings; which, if I am any judge of character,
will not soon be removed. My friend, the volun-
teer, from whom l in part derive my information
says the killing all came from the effects of whs-
ky and gambling. On the evening of the 5th
inst. this John Dowd, with two other soldiers,
went into saloon where they found several citi-
zens playing cards, and one soldier, apparently
interested, though not playing. Shortly dispute
arose, when all hands ad ourned to the street,
where the quarrel was continued one citizen
named Miller, German, accusing the soldier
who was in the saloon, when Dowd went there,
of having stolen his money. Presently, Miller
stepped back from the crowd, drew pistol and
fired, hitting Dowd, who had no part whatever in
the matter. Dowd fell mortally wounded, and
was taken care of by his two comrades. Miller
escaped, and is not likely to be taken, as he
knows this country well. Dowd died in the hos
pital yesterday; and thus, says my friend, the
volunteer, through the twin infernalisms of rum
and cards, fell young man in the flower of his
youth, whose kindness of heart and oblging dis
position endeared him to all who made his ac-
quaintance.


The farmers in this vicinity are busily engaged
in harvesting their crops which have been most
abundant; and even your correspondent is look
ing forward to good time coming when he shall
be able to take his pumpkins into market By
the way, if you wish to see specimen of our pro-
ductions in that line, you have only to mention it
to the Expressman, who could easily bring it
along, as we have no pumpkins in this section
which weigh over a hundred and fifty pounds.


GARRISON MATTERS.


The people at the Garrison, who have for some
time past been engaged in laying a small fume
to convey water from Mill Creek to the Post, are
progressing finely, and have gone so far as to be
able to prove the complete practbility of the pro-
ject; notwithstanding the adverse reports of the
engineers of former days. So much for the Wash
ington Territory volunteers: let their motto be
brave in war; in peace, useful.


THE WEATHER


The weather for the past week or so has been
considerably modified, the intensity of the sum
mers heat melting away into the genial breezes of
autumn while the cool breath of the early morn
ing reminds that ere long we shall have to face
the stern realities of a northern winter


EMIGRANTS.


small party of emigrants arrived here about
ten days ago, from Wisconsin. They came by
the Mullan road, and made the trip in about
twelve weeks. They have sold out and gone to
work, intending to remain in this part of the coun
try for the present.