Iowa Old Press

Burlington Weekly Hawkeye
Burlington, Des Moines co. Iowa
April 28, 1860

IOWA NEWS

   One day last week, James Miller of Bremer county fell suddenly dead while walking by his wagon.

    Judge Hagans, our worthy Senator, was taken home from the Capitol very sick. We have not heard from him since his return home.-- Bedford Southwest.

    FIRES IN CLAYTON AND ALLAMAKEE COUNTIES- We learn from A.P. Wood, Esq., of this city, who has just returned from a trip through portions of Clayton and Allamakee counties, that fires have lately done much damage in the timbered portions of those counties. In some neighborhoods entire farms have been swept over by the fires, fences and buildings being all destroyed. The excessive drought and high winds have greatly conduced to the spread of these conflagrations.-- Dubuque Herald.

   The people of Sigourney, Keokuk county are planting out large sized elm and maple trees around their public square, under the direction and at the expense of Mrs. Lydia H. Sigourney, of Hartford, Conn., who asked the privilege to bestow this ornament on the town which bears her name.

    PIKE'S PEAK.- The emigration to the Peak is pouring through here in good earnest now, and fifty, sixty, seventy, and eighty teams pass thro' here daily. We noticed on Tuesday, quite a number bound for California- among them 15 fine horses and 3 wagons containing 50 sheep.- Jasper Free Press.

   ATTENTION- The Demokrat publishes the following letter, which it says it received from Dyersville. There is something so outspoken and frank in the communication of Mr. Duerscherl, that we cannot resist giving him the benefit of an insertion in the Herald.
    "I, Peter Duerscherl, being the biggest vagabond (Lumpf) in all America, wish to leave Iowa- whoever has anything for or against me will find me in Dyersville i wish this put in as written.
                            PETER DUERSCHERL."
    Perhaps some gentleman's eye will fall upon the above, who may gather from it a useful hint- in frank confession of self respect and designs.-- Dubuque Herald.

    ALLAMAKEE COUNTY- A correspondent informs us that a Republican paper is about to be started at Waukon by Mr. E.L. Babbitt, formerly editor of the Wyoming County Mirror, in New York. Mr. B. is a lawyer by profession, and has the reputation of being a man of cultivated mind, and of rare experience editorially. The Republicans of Allamakee will undoubtedly give him a generous support.

    The dwelling house of Mr. A.R. Coyner, near Chariton, Lucas county, was destroyed by fire on the 8th inst. The fire originated in the smoke house.

    BOUND FOR OREGON.- Fifteen wagons passed through town last Wednesday morning, bound for Oregon. There were from 75 to 100 persons, men, women, and children, in the company, and all well provided for the journey. Eight of the teams were from Burlington, and seven from Henry County. They had a brass band and string band in the company, so that they can "discourse sweet music" as they wend their way across the plains, and thus enliven many a dull hour.
    From present indications we are led to think that Oregon is getting her full share of the emigration this spring, and perhaps as many as ever emigrated to that country in a single season.-- Page County Herald.

    MUSCATINE COUNTY- The Muscatine Journal give the following account of a dangerous runaway:
    On Monday evening as the wife of H.H. Hine, Esq., was riding in a buggy on eighth street, the horse became frightened and ran off. Mrs. H. , with remarkable presence of mind, remained in her seat, and though she had a small child in her arms, managed to keep the horse in the road and when she arrived opposite the residence of Mr. Hoops turned him into an open yard, where the buggy was upset, but fortunately without serious consequences. Mrs. H. was somewhat bruised but the child escaped without the slightest injury. The runaway was over a very dangerous road along a steep hillside. It is almost a miracle that the occupants of the buggy escaped with their lives."

    FOR PIKE'S PEAK AND CALIFORNIA.- The tide of gold seekers appears to be on the increase. Scarcely a day passes but what from two to twenty teams cross the ferry at this place bound for the gold fields. A party containing five or six females in pants went through town one day this week. This we should call panting for gold.--Lyons Mirror