Col. Henry L. Webb, late commandant of the 9th U. S. Infantry, has organized a company of 100 men, principally from the most respectable families of New York City for California.  The majority of this company arrived at Cairo last Saturday night on the J. Q. Adams, under the command of John W. Audubon, son of the great naturalist, and departed next morning on the Gen. Scott for New Orleans.  Col. Webb, whose home for the last thirty-one years has been in Southern Illinois, and a portion of the period in Cairo, arrived with his son, H. Watson Webb, on Saturday.  This company have a large capital, and go with the purpose of purchasing gold dust, and employing Indians to mine etc.  A ship laden with provisions enough to supply one hundred men eighteen months, has already sailed from New York.  The company will leave New Orleans on a government ship for the Rio Grande.  They are in a manner under the sanction of government, and we understand their arms, camp equipage, and transportation from New Orleans, have been provided by government.  We had a long conversation with Col. Webb, who takes with him his son H. Watson, and leaves his lady at home.  Col. W. is the bearer of dispatches to California.  Several gentlemen of Cincinnati joined the company.  The New York Courier and Enquirer thus speaks of this company:

“We have never seen a body of finer young men than those who left here yesterday.  A reference to the following list will show that it embraces the sons of our best known merchants, lawyers, and physicians; and the belles of our city will recognize among the number at least half a dozen of their fashionable beaux, who have thus proved by this enterprise, that they were well worthy of the smiles which have been so frequently bestowed upon them.  Most of the party are men of education and all of them are young men of high moral character, of unspotted reputation, and of indomitable energy and enterprise.  Every man’s character has undergone a scrutiny; and they all left well satisfied with their officers, with their enterprise, and with each other.  Harmony and good feeling pervaded their ranks; and all hands looked upon the trip as a delightful excursion—a mere party of pleasure—disregarding the adventures, and the hair breadth escapes which will fill up many an hour around the domestic hearth when in future years these young adventurers tell the tale of their early pilgrimage to the shores of the Pacific, to their anxious listeners.  They take with them the morals, the education, the social habits, and the principles of that Christianity, which planted in the virgin soil of California, will grow and strengthen with her growth, and enable her at once to leap from infancy into manhood; and finally  secure to herself as proud a place upon the scroll which bears the name of her elder sisters, as belong to the Old Thirteen.  Five hundred or a thousand just such spirits could have been secured for this expedition, and every man who has offered, will assuredly in some way or other find his way to the El Dorado of the West.  What a population must be the result of such an emigration—true, all will not remain, but large majority of all that go thither will not desire to return; and as none but the better class of emigrants can go, it follows that California is soon destined to occupy an enviable place among her sister states.
“God speed our young adventurers, say we, and all who like them sock their fortunes in the true spirit of a moral and adventurous enterprise.”

--The Cairo Delta, Thursday, 22 Feb 1849; transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter.

COL. WEBB'S COMPANY.—This fine California company, under Col. H. L. Webb, departed from New Orleans on the 4th, on the steamer Globe, bound for the Brazos.  They will take the Monterey route, which is one of the most pleasant.
  --The Cairo Delta, March 22, 1849; transcribed by Darrel Dexter.

COL WEBB'S PARTY FOR CALIFORNIA.—Among the passengers who arrived here on the Globe from Brazos last evening, were some sixteen or eighteen of the adventurers who left here under the leadership of Col. Webb, of New York, for California, via the Rio Grande.  It appears that in going up the river, some eight of the party took sick.  These Col. Webb left at Clay Davis' Landing in charge of Mr. Audubon, the Secretary of the party and some sixteen others, those referred to above, who have now returned.  Col Webb, with the main division, numbering about eighty, proceeded to Roma, to purchase mules and prepare for the future prosecution of the journey.  In the meantime, most or all of those left sick at Clay Davis' Landing, died.  Another serious and adverse event occurred.  Mr. Audubon had in his saddlebags $11,000 in specia.  This he gave in charge to the barkeeper of the hotel at the Landing, one White.  When he called on White for it, White asserted that he had handed it to another of the party, and that he knew no more of it.  In this statement he persisted till he took sick, when being seized with compunction, he sent for Mr. Audubon and told him where $4,000 of the money were.  This he got but no more, up to the time the party left.  On their return they left Mr. Audubon at the Landing, endeavoring to obtain the remainder of his money and waiting to hear from Colonel Webb.—(New Orleans Delta, 26 ult.)  --The Cairo Delta, April 12, 1849; transcribed by Darrel Dexter.

From the N. O. Picayune-COLONEL WEBB’S COMPANY.
    It is with inexpressible regret that we learn the untoward events which have befallen this company.  A gentleman lately a member called on us last evening and gave us this following melancholy account of recent casualties among them on the Rio Grande.
    The company left New Orleans on the steamship Globe, on the 4th inst., all in good health, on route for California, via Brazos Santiago and the Rio Grande.  They arrived at that port on the 8th, and on the same day proceeded up the river.  They reached in safety 2 days afterwards an encamping ground, immediately opposite Clay Davis’s rancho or village, and there pitched their tents being on the Mexican Territory.  That evening the cholera broke out amongst them, and among those attacked, one man died.  The next day three others fell victims to the disease, which had spread alarmingly among the company, developing itself in its gravest type.  The following day four more were carried off, and the consternation among the survivors, of whom a large proportion was more or less affected by the same morbid symptoms, became general.  To complete the disorganization of this unfortunate company, Col. Webb, who probably not dreamed of the extent to which the ravages of the cholera were destined to go, left the encampment the day after its formation, and accompanied by a medical man and an interpreter proceeded up the river for the alleged purpose of purchasing for the use of his company.  Mr. Audubon, the business agent of the association, was left in charge, and when the malady became so grave, immediately gave orders to break up the encampment, hurrying forward those who were still in health, and remaining behind himself with the sick, and a few attendants to minister to their necessities.  Seventeen members of the company on the third day after the cholera had declared itself, returned to Brazos, where they met Mr. Isaac H. Williamson, of New Jersey, and Mr. H. C. Mallory, of New York, two other members of the company who had been detained at New Orleans and were then en route to rejoin their comrades on the Rio Grande, having left this city with stores for the company on last Sunday week (the 18th) inst.  The whole of these gentlemen, except Mr. Mallory, returned forthwith to this city on the same steamship, the Globe, which arrived here yesterday from Brazos.
    We have another painful piece of information from the same source in relation to Mr. Audubon.  It appears that during the prevalence of the disease, which he also was attacked, the saddlebags of that gentleman had as a measure of safety, been taken from beneath his bed by his attendant, carried across the river, and placed in charge of the barkeeper at the hotel in Clay Davis’ rancho.  These bags contained $12,000 in gold.  When Mr. Audubon reclaimed his property, the barkeeper stated that it had been delivered to a member of the company.  This being clearly an evasion, he was arrested and threatened with summary punishment, in case he did not reveal what had become of the money.  He was steadfast, notwithstanding a rifle was placed to his head.  Having been attacked with the cholera, however, his obstinacy gave way under the fear of approaching death, and he confessed that he and another man had divided the contents of the saddlebags, indicating a spot where a portion of it was buried.  $4,000 were thus recovered.  The accomplice of the barkeeper had also been taken into custody, but his stubbornness was proof alike against solicitation and menace.  A loaded rifle was presented at his head, a watch drawn froth and he was told that unless he declared what he had done with his plunder at the expiration of a given time he should be put to death; he furiously tore his short bosom open, and bade them “fire and be d----d!”  This is the substance of the information we have received; it comes from an authentic source, and we await further intelligence of the company with extreme anxiety.  For the satisfaction of the distant friends of the parties concerned, we append the following:
    List of these returned on the Globe yesterday:  Girardus B. Davis, Spencer Graham, Augustus C. Graham, Emmett Powell, Lafford Benson, Robert Benson, James Brady, Howard Brady, W. B. Barclay, Henry Cowden, Harman Tallman, and John P. Coverly, all of New York; William W. Walker, A. H. Van Buren, and Augustus Follin, of Cincinnati; Raymond Weed, Ct.; Justin Ely, Jr., of Mass.; and Isaac H. Williamson, of N. J.
    List of deaths of cholera of the encampment opposite Clay Davis’ Rancho bank of the Rio Grande:  Hamilton J. Boden, Samuel L. Liscomb, J. T. Hall, J. Sherwood, of N.Y.; William H. Harrison, of Cincinnati; Edward W. Whittlesey, of Buffalo; J. Howard Bakewell, of N. O.; and John Lambert.
    The bodies of these young men were brought over to the American side of the river and interred at Davis’s rancho.

COL. WEBB’S COMPANY.—We publish a couple articles today in relation to Colonel Webb’s company.  We regret to hear that a portion of this fine band have fallen victims to the cholera, and that others have returned home.  We presume Col. Webb will continue on his journey undismayed by the unfortunate commencement.  As he has been a resident of this portion of Illinois, all our citizens feel an interest in his progress, especially as his company was one of the best arranged and equipped bands that has left this country for California.
--The Cairo Delta, April 12, 1849; transcribed by Darrel Dexter.

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We call attention to the advertisement of C. E. Collins, Watchmaker and Jeweler, at St. Louis.  We have conversed with him, and are assured that he intends starting to California this spring.  As he purchased a large stock of watches and jewelry at New York last fall, he is in a hurry to get rid of it, and is actually selling off at cost.  We advise those going to St. Louis and desirous of purchasing anything in his line, to give him a call, as they must be pleased with his prices.  --The Cairo Delta, Mar 15, 1849; transcribed by Darrel Dexter.

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A verdant youth from the vicinity of Cairo, boarded the mail boat yesterday for the purpose of working his way to California via Cincinnati and the overland route, as he termed it.  The youth doubtless has a chart of his own. (Louisville Democrat).
Who was the varmint?  Send him home to his mother.  --The Cairo Delta, Mar 15, 1849; transcribed by Darrel Dexter.

A Liberal Reward will be given to any person who will give information to the undersigned of the notorious villain that first reported that I procured small pox matter from one of my patients, and inoculated persons to obtain practice, which is utterly a false report.

I. BARTON, M.D.

--The Cairo Sun, July 17, 1851; transcribed and submitted by Darrel Dexter.

This is to give notice that my son, William Joel THOMPSON, has left his home without my consent and to request all persons who may know anything concerning him to send me information.  He is 16 years old, stout build, rather fleshy, five feet seven or eight inches high, light hair and complexion with large grey eyes.  He left home on the 28th of May last.  Any person knowing anything of him will confer a favor by writing to the undersigned at Thebes, Alexander County, Illinois, or to this office.  Ransom THOMPSON.

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$100 REWARD

Cairo City Weekly Gazette, Thursday, 14 Mar 1861

Submitted by Darrel Dexter

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    Yesterday a colored man operating as a cook in the Twelfth regiment was brought before his “honor,” he having been arrested as the slave of Mr. Unsell who resides in Kentucky six miles below Cairo.  The moment Mr. Unsell saw him he said that the prisoner was not his boy.  A release followed as matter of course.  Some excitement followed the result of this cause, but nothing serious ensued.  The writs of both cases were served by E.R. Howard Deputy United States Marshal.

    Another case- A colored man named Anderson, the property of the minor heirs of Duvall deceased living near Island No. 1 escaped with the woman and boy above alluded to and came to Cairo.  Here he remained in and about the camp until yesterday noon when he voluntarily came before Commissioner Hannon, acknowledged that he was a fugitive slave and expressed a desire to return again to slavery.  Four days free in Cairo he declared to be worse than that many years in bondage.  The guardian of Duvall’s heirs being in town, took Anderson in charge and in the evening left with him for Kentucky.

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    The Rev. Mace and James D. Pulley exchanged pistol fire in Marion.  Mace had openly accused Pulley of being a traitor.  Mace was shot in the back.

CHARGED WITH TREASON

Cairo City Weekly Gazette, 30 Nov 1861

Submitted by Darrel Dexter

    The above reward will be paid for the apprehension of one Frank Benthusen alias Frank Bell, alias Jig Dancer, and seven hundred dollars more or less in money.
    The money was embezzled from our establishment in Columbus, Ky., on Thursday night the 14th inst.  Said Benthusen may be easily known by the following marks and description:
    He stands about five feet, six inches, in height, of 150 pounds weight, dark complexion, hair and eyes, with heavy eyebrows and slightly bald headed, he is tattooed on the right arm with the letters “M.W.” with “female figure and wreath.”  His pants and vest light colored, coat and hat dark.  He is supposed to be within limits of the State of Illinois, as he came to Cairo by boat thence for parts unknown by rail.  He is said to have a wife and friends in Algonquin, Ill., has been known by the police in Detroit, Michigan, and in Chicago, Ill. for sundry offenses.
For his apprehension alone one half of the above reward will be given and for him and the money more or less, the full amount of $200 will be paid and more if necessary.
    Underhill & Bro.
Persons desiring further information, etc., will address E.H. Howard, Cairo, Illinois.

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John Martin, a carpenter by trade, hired of me a box of tools, worth about $40 or $50, while I was to the hospital, about ten days ago, for which he was to pay $1.50 per week.  On Sunday last, as I am informed, he left for parts unknown, taking the tools or disposing of them.  Any person who will return the thief and tools will receive the thanks of a poor invalid in the hospital and a reasonable reward.  Said Martin is about five feet, eight inches high, light complexion, sandy hair, a flippant talker, and a grand deceiver.  He hailed from Pittsburgh.

Address John McIlreavy, in Hospital, Cairo, Ill.

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