Iowa Old Press

Burlington Weekly Hawkeye
Burlington, Des Moines co. Iowa
February 11, 1860

IOWA NEWS

   An Eagle, measuring six feet and four inches "from tip to tip," was recently killed in Caanan township, Henry County.

    CORONER'S INQUEST- Coroner John R. Howard was called upon to hold an inquest over the body of Patrick Nolan, on the 30th of last month, who was found dead in Fremont township in this county, on the 27th ult. The result of the inquest was that the said Patrick Nolan came to his death by means unknown to the jury; but with the appearance of violence.
    The impression among the neighbors of the deceased as we learn, is that he has been killed by some of his near relations. If such is the case there should be steps taken to ferret out the mystery.--Decorah Republican

   SAD ACCIDENT- We learn that a Mr. Grant of this place started for McGregor on Thursday last with a load of wheat, and when near the residence of John McKay, Esq., was walking by the side of his wagon, when his foot slipped, and he fell to the ground; the wheel passing over him; breaking his leg, and otherwise injuring him.- He was found some two or three hours afterwards, and conducted to Mr. McKay's, where he is still lying in a critical condition.--Decorah Republican.

   "LO! THE POOR INDIAN."- Several families of the Winnebago Indians are encamped just above town, hungry and destitute. Game is scarce the present winter, and the Indians are induced to wander about among the white settlers in order to obtain food. The miserable wretches would not doubt sooner starve than till the ground, and thus gain a livelihood by their own industry. One of them the other day, while intoxicated, fell from his horse and injured him severely. At one time he was supposed to be dead, and the Indians began to make preparations to bury him. He is still alive, however, and will probably recover. The "fire-water," which the Indians will have in one way or another, is fast doing its deadly work among them, and ere long these worthless red-skins will be known only in name. It used to be our custom occasionally when at the East to publish an Indian romance, but here such tales do not "take." The frequent opportunities which western people have of seeing the filthy wretches takes the romance away from the name of Indian. Hiwatha appears beautiful in song, but not in lousy blankets."Tis Distances lends enchantment to the view." [St. Charles City Intelligencer.]

    SOMETHING OLD- There was a trial in the City last week, about a man's selling beef, the animal having died from some disorder; it was sold to another man who dressed it and offered it for sale in our streets, most of which he sold causing the sickness of those who partook of it.-- They were both tried before Justice Germond who fined them $5 and costs, amounting in all to about $25.
    We are glad to see justice done to such men who know the law and evade it for the gain of a few dollars, thus risking the health of the community. This is the first instance of the kind if another instance occurs we hope they will be made to suffer the full extent of the law.--Maquoketa Excelsior.
    The fine ought to have been 8100 apiece, with 30 days on bread and water, in the county jail.

    FIRE!- Just after twelve o'clock on Sunday morning, our citizens were aroused from their slumbers by the cry of Fire! and the ringing of bells.
    When we arrived at the scene of conflagration we found the Brewery belonging to Mr. Stephens enveloped in flames, with a fair prospect of their extending to the other buildings; but by the exertions of the citizens assembled, and the aid of kind Providence, who said to the wind, "be still," none but the Brewery, and a small building adjoining it were destroyed. We are not posted as to the amount of damage, but should judge it to be less than $3,000. We understand that Mr. Stephens had an insurance of $1,500.--Council Bluffs Eagle.

   The Iowa City Republican of the 1st inst. reports that Mr. John Ryan, in coming from Anamosa to that city during the cold weather about three weeks since, had his feet so badly frozen that mortification ensued, and amputation was necessary. Dr. White amputated one foot at the instep joint, and took three toes off the other foot.

    LIFE IN DUBUQUE- A cock fight occurred last Thursday in the outer levee warehouse between three game cocks owned by Daly, of this city, and the same number belonging to a man named Baxter, from the country. Daly's cocks came off victors in each battle, and the countryman went home minus three cocks and sixty dollars.--Herald.

   Col. Barber has become Freight and Ticket agent of the Burlington, Peoria and Logansport Rail Road at Des Moines. He has heretofore acted in that capacity for the Michigan Central Road.

    Mrs. Klatzbah, living near McGregor, was so badly burned by her clothes taking fire at a cooking-stove last week, that it is thought that she cannot recover.

    The State Reporter has the following notice of the abduction or kidnapping case, an account of which we published last week in a letter from Fairfield:
    THE ABDUCTION CASE- The fact is pretty generally known that a Mr. Curtis, formerly of Pleasant Valley and at present a respectable citizen and property holder of this city, some months ago had bound to him until eighteen years old, two negro girls, about nine and twelve years of age.
    Efforts have been repeatedly made in Abolition circles to get these children out of the hands of Curtis and his wife, not so far as we can learn, on the score of abuse, for they have been treated with uniform kindness,but simply for the reason that they were originally held and owned as slaves by Mrs. Curtis in Missouri. This was a thing to "stick in the crop" of an Abolitionist, and after "beating about the bush" for some time, it seems that the mock philanthropists found out, as they allege, that Curtis refused to educate the girls, according to the tenor of the bond, and, on the strength of this, filed a petition with Judge McCleary  for a cancellation of the indenture, and this brought the matter into court.
    Meanwhile Curtis disappeared on Saturday last with the children, and it is charged that he designs to return them to Missouri to a relative of Mrs. Curtis for safe keeping, or that he intends to sell them into slavery. On the strength, we suppose, of affidavits sworn to by parties interested, of an intention to kidnap and sell, or kidnap as apprentices, Judge Miller issues his warrant, and Johnston, Orr and McElwaine are despatched in pursuit of the fugitives.
    The Iowa City Republican notices the case as follows:
    TWO NEGRESSES IN THE WOOD-PILE- POPULAR SOVEREIGNITY PRACTICALLY CARRIED OUT- SLAVERY IN IOWA- A case eliciting considerable interest, and involving the freedom of a couple of negro girls, is now in our Courts, and which has just come to our knowledge. From what we can learn of the complicated case, the facts are about as follows:- About five years since, a Mr. J.L. Curtis came from Tennessee and settled in Pleasant Valley, in this county, bringing with him, to use a Southern phrase, two "likely" negro children, them of the ages of five and seven years. Upon his own application, Curtis was appointed "Guardian" over these unfortunate descendants of Ham. Everything moved along quietly until recently, when it began to be whispered about and generally believed that the girls were slaves and that the Guardianship of Curtis was only a ruse to hoodwink the unsuspecting Hawkeyes. Complaint was made by several of Curtis' neighbors that he was not performing his duty as such Guardian, &c. Some months since, Curtis left his farm in the Valley, and moved to this city. On Saturday last, the feeling on the subject getting up to fever heat, Curtis concluded that "discretion was the better part of valor," and that night between 11 and 12 o'clock he vamosed the ranche, taking with him the cause of the disturbance, leaving word that he was going to Lancaster, Mo., to leave the 'chattels' with some 'relative' said to be living in that convenient locality, until the question should be finally settled. Information was filed, and a warrant was issued by his Honor, Judge Miller, for kidnapping under the provisions of the Code on this subject, and about 24 hours after Curtis' departure, officers were in pursuit. It is supposed, however, that the Missouri line would protect him  before he could be overtaken. These are the facts as we have them from persons friendly to Curtis.
    If these girls have never been liberated, which is the general belief in this city, the outrage of having slaves held in this city and State, contrary to the spirit of the law, and contrary to the feelings of every honorable instinct of the human heart, the fact should be ferreted out and the violator of the law punished to the last extremity of the same. The belief here is also very general that the negresses have been or will be sold, and the money thus obtained for human flesh and immortal souls be pocketed. We have endeavored, as stated before, to state the case fairly, with no intention to do Mr. Curtis, or any one concerned, injustice.
    Curtis is said to be a man of some wealth, owning the farm upon which he lived, and some city property, but of late is thought to be pretty "hard up."

    A new paper is about to be started at Fort Des Moines to be called The Commonwealth- Republican in politics- A.J. Stephens, editor, Mills Brothers publishers and proprietors.

    DEATH OF OLD FOLKS.- The LeClaire Register notices the death in Le Claire Township, this county, on the 6th of January, of Abram Stone, Sr., aged 90 years and on the 22d, Eunice Stone, his relict, aged 87 years. They were born in Connecticut, lived forty years in Moriah, Essex county, New York, and then removed to Iowa in 1850. They died surrounded by their children, and their children's children down even to the fifth generation. Mr. Stone gave his first vote for Gen. Washington, probably the only man in Iowa who had that pleasure, although a citizen of Davenport saw Washington and heard him speak.--Davenport Gazette.