A term at one time much used in the far West, distinguishing the organized States from the Territories. Oddly enough (see 1856, 1860, 1862) “America” was occasionally used in the same way.
1826. She had seen families of fashion and opulence, from “the states,” as they call them, and from old France, settled there [at New Madrid].—T. Flint, ‘Recollections,’ p. 228.
1845. Here we met Dr. White, a sub-Indian agent, accompanied by three others, on their way from Oregon to the States.—Joel Palmer, ‘Journal,’ Sept. 3, p. 50 (Cincinnati, 1847).
1854. President Young says he does not know of but one old bachelor in all the Territory of Utah, and he has gone to the States.—Orson Hyde, at the Mormon Tabernacle, Oct. 6: ‘Journal of Discourses,’ ii. 84.
1855. Some say that this fellow-feeling between him and the marshal results from the fact that he was a doggery-keeper in the States.—Weekly Oregonian, April 7.
1856. In America, a man would as soon venture to go into his neighbour’s house and steal a chair, as to retain one accidentally left there by a previous occupant.—Brigham Young, April 20: ‘Journal of Discourses,’ iii. 323.
1857. (n.d.) A man writing from Southern Oregon to the N.Y. Tribune says that some of the people are going to California, and “others are talking of going back to America.”
1860.
| We’ll go back to America, | |
| Dressed up so slick and fine O, | |
| And when there’s anything to pay, | |
| Pop goes the Rhino. | |
Rocky Mountain News, Denver, April 11. |
1860. T. C. Willard leaves to-morrow for St. Louis, intending to return next season with a large supply of goods. We trust his winter in America will be a happy one, and that he will sometimes condescend to think of the poor devils he has left at the Peak.—Id., Nov. 7.
1861. We give large space this week to the warlike news from the States.—Olympia (W.T.) Pioneer, May 17.
1862. Among the arrivals from the States this morning was the new rector of St. John’s Church.—Rocky Mountain News, Denver, July 24.
1862. A newly arrived “pilgrim” from “America,” yesterday, at the Elephant corral, discharged an Allen pepper box at a fellow-pilgrim.—Id., Aug. 7.
1862. A gentleman lately from the States was almost astounded to find vegetables on our hotel tables.—Id., Nov. 6.
1863. A newcomer from the States, no matter whether from Chicago, St. Louis, or New York, must at once acquire cognizance of the fact that we are no “suckers.”—Id., Jan. 29.
1866. The River divides him, as he says, from the East, from the States; and the current jest, everywhere to be heard from Atchison to Salt Lake, says, that a man who means to cross the Missouri is going on a trip to America.—W. H. Dixon, ‘New America,’ chap. i.
1869. I only knew how much I prized her daily prattling [a child in Montana] when she was about to start for “the States.”—A. K. McClure, ‘Rocky Mountains,’ p. 244.
1869. “Are you going back to the States?” said I, to a Pike County man, with a wagon-load of wife and children, beds, chairs, and cooking utensils. “No, Sir,” said he, turning the quid in his leathery jaw, “you bet I ain’t! I’m bound for Reese! After I make my pile thar, a keeping of a tavern, I’ll steer for Californy agin—it’s good enough a country for me.”—J. Ross Browne, ‘Adventures in the Apache Country,’ p. 334.
1890. We sent into the States by every available opportunity for anything so serious as a stuff gown or outer garment. We all carried lists into the States to fill for others.—Mrs. Custer, ‘Following the Guidon,’ p. 257 (N.Y.).
