After the flooding and blizzard in January, February weather returned to non remarkable. Locals were able to harvest ice for the ice houses here. Unfortunately the mild weather in the east made ice harvests very poor. Several of the seaboard cities speculated on the need to buy ice from the “west” (Midwest) and have it shipped in.
The paper ran an article on the canal being dug on the Isthmus of Suez. The plans for this marvel included a small access canal which was partially done. They expected to have the complete canal ready for ships by 1870.
Much of the news pertained to the war. Deserters from both armies were dealt with increasingly harshly, in some cases swift execution. A list detailing terms of desertion and penalties for those who help deserters appeared in the paper.
With the conscription in place, draft dodgers were fleeing to Canada. About 1900 men had fled with nearly $2 million in American silver.
A report was published about the prisoners being held there. The Spencer House hotel had been assigned as a hospital for the rebel prisoners. Among the most recent prisoners were 2 surgeons. They were taken to the Spencer House to tend to their own.
Throughout the state, rallies were being held to support the union cause. Indianapolis saw over 25,000 folks gather for the loyalist cause. Here in Lafayette there was a large gathering at the courthouse. The paper ran an editorial urging locals to write the union soldiers with their love and support.
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