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mation, merchants from St. Louis & the east, raftsmen from the head waters of the Mississippi, farmers from Iowa & Wisconsin & in fact representatives of almost every state in the Union, with Canada & Europe were found in the cabin -- On deck were Germans and Irish a filthy set, who uncleanliness no doubt hastened the deaths which occurred among them & I was heartily glad when we landed the last at Dubuque. The first intimation I received of the presence of death in our midst was the tolling of the bell & the arriving of the boat at the foot of a high bluff on the Illinois shore, soon some hands jumped a shore a grave was speedily dug & as the last ray of the setting sun unclear from the waters face, a bird sent up a joyful note over the grave of the infant which an hour before had breathed its last. We proceeded on our way