 |
|
Iowa News from across the
Country
- 1851 -
FREDERICK DOUGLASS PAPER
Rochester, New York
June 26, 1851
EMANCIPATED SLAVES. - Mr. Corry, a gentleman who has recently
been a resident of Lewis County, Missouri, where he has been a
slaveholder, has emancipated a family of slaves, and located them
in Cedar township, Iowa, about four miles south of Salem,
consisting of a man and his wife and eight children, valued at a
round sum of eight thousand dollars. (N. Y. Evangelist)
[transcribed by C.J.L., December 2006]
-----
New York Daily
Times
New York, New York
October 6, 1851
Died.
In Henry County, Iowa, 6th ult., Emeline, wife of O.D. Laughlin,
and daughter of Mr. John Bangs, formerly of Yarmouth, Mass.
[transcribed by S.F., March 2007]
-----
Liberty Weekly
Tribune
?, Missouri
November 14, 1851
A sad affair took place in Iowa, near Ottumwa, on Friday evening
last. Mr. Robert Ralston, on the previous evening, had married
the daughter of Mr. Jos. Woods; next evening a party visited Mr.
Woods' house, to cheravari the newly married couple. They had all
the usual accompaniments of such a ceremony; and as soon as the
noise commenced Messrs. Wood and RAlston assailed the company by
throwing stones at them. At this time one of the party, either by
accident or design fired a gun, and shot Mr. Ralston in the left
side, near the heart. He died the Monday following. Upon a post
mortem examination, it was ascertained that he was shot with a
paper wad, a portion of which lodged against the vertebral of the
heart. Seven persons were examined, but no evidence was found to
implicate them and they were discharged. It was a sad affair; and
is another evidence of the folly of carrying fire arms on all
occasions.
[transcribed by S.F., March 2005]
-----
New York Daily
Times
New York, New York
November 19, 1851
The Hungarian Settlement in the West
We find in the Springfield (Ill.) Journal a 'summer view
of New-Buda," the Hungarian settlement, under Gov. Ujhazy.
It is situated in the southwestern part of Iowa, in the county of
Decatur, at a distance of about 150 miles from the Mississippi
river, 100 miles from the Missouri, and about 10 miles north of
the boundary line of the State of Iowa and Missouri. The aspect
of the country presents ridges of elevation, narrow ravines, and
occasionally wide spread vallies, all covered with a rich soil
varying from one to three feet deep which displays its
fruitfulness in the abundant production of grass, of fruits and
flowers. The Thompson river about 150 yards in width, but too
shallow for navigable purposes, winds slowly through Decatur
county in a south-eastern direction, on its way to the Missouri.
Its course is lined by a heavy body of timber, from one to three
miles wide, consisting chiefly of sugar-maple, black walnut,
white oak and elm.On a high timbered ridge, on the left bank of
this river, stands New-Buda, the residence of Gov. Ujhazy, and
the intended abode of Kossuth. At this point the timber extends
only a short distance from the river, and diverging circuitously
to the north and south-east embraces an extensive open meadow
covered with luxuriant grass, and crowned with a multitude of
flowers, whose brilliant colors increase the liveliness of the
scene. Viewed from the residence of the Governor, it seems one of
the highest pictures of nature - its glowing beauties chastened
and hightened by the surrounding gloom of forest. From the same
place, through the foliage of trees, the
Thompson river may be seen gliding along, the home of flocks of
wild fowls, and the resort of troops of deer, which visit it to
slake their thirst or cool themselves in its waters.
The dwelling is a log cabin, about fifty feet in length, twenty
in width, one story high, with a shingle roof. The interior is
divided into three compartments, and has a floor formed out of
logs, split - the flat side smoothed and placed uppermost. One of
these apartments, as is common in the Western country, is used
for a kitchen, a dining, and a bed room. A modern cooking stove
stands near the fire place, and opposite, on shelves and wall,
cooking utensils and table furniture are neatly arranged. At the
other end of the room two single beds are placed, elegantly
furnished; the snowy white of their linen contrasting with the
vivid hues of their oriental covers. A table stands near a
window, loaded with books, documents and newspapers. Maps are
displayed on the walls, and overhead is placed a collection of
guns, pistols, swords and scimetars of the best material, the
most skilful construction and superbly ornamented. But, most
conspicuous of all is a splendid portrait of Washington, gazing,
as it were, with a calm melancholy expression on those who lost
wealth, exalted rank, endeared society and a beloved country in a
hapless struggle.
In front of the dwelling a field, containing about twenty acres,
is cleared , fenced and under cultivation. A flock of sheep,
selected for their superior wool-growing qualities, feed in the
pasture-ground, while over a wider range a heard of cows and
several horses are scattered; every appearance promising to these
hard-fated exiles a yet happy home.
[transcribed by C.J.L., October 2005]