NEWSPAPER-ABSTRACTS-L Archives

Archiver > NEWSPAPER-ABSTRACTS > 2003-01 > 1042862067


From: "Christopher B Durall" <>
Subject: [News] Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois "Union" September, 1849
Date: Fri, 17 Jan 2003 22:54:29 -0500


"The Union"

Pittsfield, Pike County, Illinois

Wednesday, September 5, 1849 -

Page 2, We are indebted to the Rev. J. ELLEDGE for the extracts below
from a letter to him from Mr. Peter SCHOLL, who emigrated to Oregon from
this county. Although not of so late a date as other letters that have
been published, the fact that Mr. S. was formerly a well known citizen
of Pike County, makes his letter interesting to his many friends and
acquaintances in this section.
"San Francisco, April 29th, 1849. Much Esteemed Friend, It is with
feelings not easily described that I attempt to write you from this
strange land, far from my home and all that is dear to me on earth. By
the blessings of a kind Providence, I am at present comfortably
situated, and enjoy reasonable health. It would be useless to give an
account of passing events since I saw you, suffice it to say, I left
home on the 10th of last February for the gold mines in California,
which you have heard about. Left my wife and family all in good health
and as good spirits as the nature of the case would admit of, living on
a farm in the Tualiton Prairie, Tualiton county, Oregon Territory. On
leaving home, after some detention, I took passage on board of a Spanish
bark, Capt. Reaves, and left the Columbia harbor about the 20th of
March; had a very pleasant passage of only four days at sea, when I
arrived at the Bay in California, then took passage up the Sacramento
River to Suiter's Fort, and thence to the mines on the American Fork of
the Sacramento River, some sixty miles from Suiter's Fort, where I
arrived about the 4th of April; where, I regret to say, I heard of the
massacre of my much esteemed friend Mr. Nathan ENGLISH, the young man
who left Illinois with me, and drove one of my teams to Oregon. He was
esteemed and respected by all that knew him. The particulars of his
death I can't exactly give, but ENGLISH left Oregon last fall, and
worked in the mines all winter at different places, and at the time of
his death was on the Middle Fork, in company with six other men,
citizens of Oregon, all respectable men, so far as my knowledge, and all
the information I can get of them proves. They were at work near the
creek, and in the morning two of the company went off some distance to
look for new diggings, and left ENGLISH and four others at work near the
camp, and when they returned the camp was destroyed, and signs of death
and destruction all around. The bodies they could not find, but after
some search they found where some or all of them had been burned.
Pursuit, as soon as a sufficient number of men could be obtained, was
made after the Indians, and a good many of them taken, and some twenty
killed. There have been other men killed by the Indians, but the white
are going to deal with them in another manner, and soon probably there
will be a stop put to it. As regards ENGLISH's money, I know nothing
more than the survivors of his company say, i.e. that a short time
before he had buried, at or near the Mormon Island, some three thousand
dollars, and some others of the company buried theirs also, but no one
knew where, except themselves, and the place will probably forever
remain unknown. Nathan, so far as my knowledge goes, was a moral,
temperate young man when he left Oregon, and kept respectable company
afterwards. He is gone we know not where, but we know that he is in the
hands of a Merciful God. I send this you, knowing that you will inform
his parents and friends.
I worked three days in the mines, and made some fifty dollars, but being
unwell I returned to Suiters Fort, and after a few days recruiting,
worked there three days at sixteen dollars per day. After some
reflection I concluded to return home, the climate being sickly, and the
snow melting in the mountains, swelling the waters so sigh that mining
will be attended with difficulty until fall, which is the best time for
mining, I am at the city waiting for the vessel which will sail in a few
days for Oregon.
My son George came to the mines last fall and has been here ever since,
but I shall have to return home without seeing him, he being at a
distant part of the mines, and traveling difficult on account of the
Indians. I have heard from him by several men, he has been, and is at
present in good health, and has done reasonably well. Mr. ROWELL came
with me to the mines, and concluded to stay till fall. He is well.
Joshua LEWIS was in Oregon when I left, but calculated to come to the
mines in the spring by land. Edward SMITH lives here in the city. I
was at his house. They are all well.
So far as I have seen of California, it don't come up to Oregon as an
agricultural country. The Sacramento valley is full of swamps and
timber very scarce, besides a great deal of poor country. As regards
religion in Oregon, I am sorry to say that the prospects are not very
flattering, as the gold mines have taken up the attention of the people.
We have not had the privilege of much preaching since I left my farm
near Oregon City, which I sold and bought one on the plains, with some
sixty acres of improvement, where I left my family. The girls and
William are still at home. Father COWHICK was married a few days before
I left home to a respectable lady, about fifty-five years old. Mr.
SANDERS' farm lies joining mine. Abram and Felix live close by. They
were all well. I have seen the Rev. father FISHER and heard him preach
several times. He lives on the Clatsup plains. His family all enjoy
good health. Elizabeth and myself joined the Baptist church in Oregon
city.
I must now close by requesting you to show this letter to Mr. BROWN and
all my old friends, and say to them that altho' separated here below by
distance, I oft times think of them and the many pleasant hours we have
spent together, as well as the pleasing visitation of God's spirit that
we have witnessed.
So fare you well, and may the blessing of God be with us all and guide
us all safe home."
Peter SCHOLL
Rev. Jesse ELLEDGE

Page 5, Administration Notice:
James VANNET, deceased
(Entire article not transcribed)


------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, September 12, 1849 -

Page 3, Obituary - Died - On Saturday last, at the residence of Mr. E.D.
ROSE, Mrs. Amanda M., consort of Ladu VARY, aged 28 years.
The deceased was born in Stephentown, Renssellaer co. N.Y. She
emigrated to this county some several years ago, with her husband, who
is now absent on a tour to California. When we reflect upon the bright
scenes which were depicted in their glowing colors, in the event if
fortunate, in the enterprise undertaken by him, his safe return to that
family, which he idolized, we cannot but feel a full consciousness in
the truthful saying, 'put not your trust in that which decayeth,' -
alas, what a change! The buoyant and happy mother then - now lies
beneath the cold sod, moistened by the tear of sympathy and regret. As
an evidence of her real virtues, several hundred attended her remains to
the grave to pay the last obsequy to departed worth. She leaves behind
two small children, a husband and many relatives and friends. The
funeral rites were delivered in an impressive and forcible manner in the
Baptist church, by the Rev. PARKES and CARTER. Alas! What allurements
will gold have when the mournful news is borne upon the breeze to that
parent who is now in distant lands! We leave the picture. G.



------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, September 19, 1849 -

Page 2, The Hair Breadth 'Scape, by A Cosmopolite. About the year 1799,
a series of events transpired in the north western part of Virginia, at
a place called "Prickett's Fort," which I have no doubt will be
interesting to your readers, - a narration of which will be found below.
Mr. David Morgan, - a relative of General Morgan - aged over 60 - owned
and tilled at this time a farm situated near this fort, but dreading an
attack from the Indians, he had moved his family into it. Early in
April, he one day sent his tow children to his farm - distant about one
mile - to feed his stock, directing them to return as soon as this was
accomplished. One was a youth of 16, and the other a girl of fourteen;
and on arriving at the spot, after accomplishing the errand assigned
them, they could not resist the attractions of a beautiful sunny day of
April. They had been long confined in the old fort, and now they were
free, roaming at will through their own dear woods, and over the old
forest home; and the time they thus spent was long, and flew rapidly
away.
Being indisposed, after his children left the fort, Morgan retired to
bed, fell into a daze, and dreamed that he saw his beloved children
walking about the fort yard with their faces bloody and their heads
scalped. So horrid was his dream that he awoke from sleep, got up,
shouldered his gun and started for his farm.
As he neared his place, he ascended an eminence, and seating himself
upon a leg, leisurely surveyed surrounding objects. First he saw his
cabin, then his fields, next some stock and finally, near at hand, he
espied his children. They were preparing some ground and planting some
water-melon seeds. None except those situated as he was, can conceive
of the joyful emotions that now filled his bosom; but his pleasure was
short-lived; for, shortly afterward, he observed two stalwart Indians
emerge from his own cabin door, and stealthily make for his darling boy
and girl. Assuming as much as possible an attitude of indifference, he
told them of their danger, and directed them to flee to the fort and
save themselves. They instantly obeyed. But the savages soon perceived
them, and gave chase - yelling and whooping like so many fiends, as they
ran. Just then Morgan stepped from his place, and appeared in full view
before them; when their pursuit of the children was relinquished, and
their attention was entirely bestowed upon him.
After running some distance, finding the Indians gaining on him, Morgan
took shelter behind a tree; the savages sought a like protection; but
one being rather "hard up," fell behind a small log. Morgan instantly
fired at him, when the Indian rolled over, stabbing himself twice as he
did so - thus forcibly reminding one of the rattlesnake, which, when
wounded bites itself, provided it can find nothing better, or nearer at
hand, to bite.
As soon as Morgan fired, he started for the fort at the top of his
speed, but he was too old to run fast; the Indian gained rapidly; -
perceiving which, Morgan stopped short determined to sell his life
dearly. The savage, was very large and athletic, instantly bro't his
rifle to bear upon him; but Morgan watched his eye, and just as he
thought the Indian touched the trigger, he sprang quickly to one side,
and the ball whizzed harmlessly by him.
Now came the "tug of war." Both were now on something of an equal
footing; but there was some difference, and that difference was on the
side of the Indian. Both had guns, and they were empty, but the Indian
was large and in manhood's prime; while Morgan, though he had once been
powerful had lost much of his vigor by the inroads and infirmities of
age. Added to this, the Indian was possessed of a tomahawk and hunting
knife; while the intrepid Morgan had no other weapon than his gun and
that empty. But Morgan did have a weapon that the savage didn't dream
of, and that was his teeth!
As soon as the savage came near enough, Morgan clubbed his gun, and
aimed a terrible blow at him, but he dodged it, and quickly after, he
hurled his tomahawk at Morgan. But the Indian did not throw with as
much precision as usual; - the weapon, instead of splitting the old
man's head, only severed the little finger from his left hand. Morgan
instantly dropped his gun and closed in with the savage. Some seconds
elapsed, and they fell - the old man uppermost, but the Indian by
superior agility and elasticity of muscle, very soon succeeded in
turning him under. When he had got firmly seated upon Morgan, he
commenced feeling for his knife, and uttered the yell of victory. But
he hallooed before he was out of the woods, for Morgan managed to get a
couple of the fingers of the Indian's left hand between his teeth: -
whereupon he commenced a crushing, grinding and pulverizing process,
that made the savage yell for very pain. However, in a little while he
commenced feeling for his knife again, but his effort were much retarded
by a woman's apron that he had stolen and bound around his waist, and
which, in a great measure covered the handle of the knife.
Finally he succeeded in getting hold of the knife, but his hand was so
far towards the blade that Morgan got hold of a part of the handle also
and just then biting the Indian's fingers with all his might, he pulled
the knife out of his hand entirely - cutting and gashing it horribly.
It was now that both combatants sprang to their feet - Morgan still
retaining his hold upon his foe's fingers. The red skin made tremendous
efforts to get away; but in vain: no snapping turtle ever held on with
more firmness and resolution. And as soon as Morgan could get half a
chance he sank the knife up to the hilt, again and again, into his body,
and as if afraid of losing some advantage, he held on till he felt the
Indian settling to the earth in quivering death throes!
Morgan now leisurely returned to the fort. His children had just got
in. He related his adventure to its inmates; and a company of men, with
him at their head started for his farm. They found the body of the
first Indian, but the latter had crawled away some distance and had hid
himself in a tree-top. He had drawn the knife from his bosom and bound
up his wound with the apron, and thus in a great measure stopped the
hemorrhage.
When the whites discovered him, he accosted them with "how de do,
brodder? - how de do brodder?" Poor fellow! The only answer they gave
was to sink a tomahawk up to its eye in his skull. They afterwards
skinned him and his companion, tanned their skins, and converted them
into saddle-seats, shot-pouches and belts!
This last act makes one's blood curdle. For such deeds I attempt no
apology. They exceed in cruelty and barbarity any thing with which I am
acquainted, as perpetrated by the savages themselves. An apology may be
made, however, in behalf of the backwoodsmen of those days, for the
severity with which they fought. They knew that the savages seldom
asked or gave quarter. With them it was a war of utter and complete
extermination, and hence the fatal and sanguinary character of all
encounters between them and western backwoodsmen.
A reflection or two and I close. How little do we appreciate the
blessing of peace, and the security to life and property consequent upon
a state of peace - It is only by a comparison of our condition - of our
blessings and privileges which they possessed, that we can form any
thing of a correct estimate of the miseries and privations they endured,
or of the happiness and exalted freedom it is our fortune to enjoy.
Pittsfield, Sept. '49.

This thread: