[Editorial Note:
Letters from John McConihe to J. Sterling Morton copied with permission of the Nebraksa State Historical Association on 17 January 2008 from the MS7 J. Sterling Morton Papers, 1849—1862, Roll 2. Copy and reuse restrictions apply; see the Nebraska State Historical Society Use Policy (http://www.nebraskahistory.org/lib-arch/services/refrence/use_policy.pdf).
]J. Sterling Morton Papers, 1849—1862 MS7 Roll: 2 #8309 Nebraska State Historical Society
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Friend Morton
In accordance with my promise, and more partic—ularly from desire, I will drop you a line. Great has been and still is the "Pikes Peak Excite—ment" Knots of people congregate in the streets, and talk over the probabilities of Gold at Cherry Creak; Henry Allen is hung to day, and Sam Curtis shot to—morrow; infact the public are very much excited, because a large number of Emigrants (over a half of these on the road) have become discouraged and
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concluded to give up Gold hunting and return home to their plough shares. In fact they are very much like a drove of sheep, and are all freightened [sic], without any just cause. Trade has temporarily stopped; people on the Missouri Slope are badly freightened [sic], lest the exaspe—rated returned "Peakers" should destroy their towns & fire sides. At Omaha, Plattesmouth and Nebraska City "hair stands on ends" for very fear. But there is no danger, nothing will be done. There is no more discouraging news now then heretofore. The news is of the same hopeful char—acter. Byers has arrived there but writes little about the Gold Says he has not had time to look
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about. Capt Parks received a letter to day from his son and started immediately for the mines.
Shinn rode into town the other day, from his ferry, in hot haste freightened [sic] out of his senses & in fear of his life, the emigrants wearing vengeance, because he turned them off a good road on a bad one!!! One fellow swore he would kill him, because he married him to a bad wife, some twenty years ago!! Something goes wrong every time you leave Omaha, and if you do not return soon, we will be at war or the Territory may sink "out of sight." Gov. Black is getting along nicely and daily making friends. Pat McDonaugh
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was arrested Saturday on suspi—cion of killing a Mr Carpenter ten miles West of Salt Creek last winter. The examination is not finished. Luce is behaving like a gentlemen, as he is, and attend—ing faithfully to business. My funds arrived the Monday after your departure and I am "flush." I bought Robertson's short note @ 2 per cent per mo.
Rankin is in town; thinks it safe to stay here until after the panic.
I have felt quite lonesome since your departure, and hope you will soon return. Give my best respects to Mrs Morton! Wrote to the Herald on Friday. All my letters have been published. Write me.
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