Iowa
Old Press
North Iowa Times
McGregor, Clayton co. Iowa
November 7, 1856
Married.
-At Medina Ohio on Wednesday, Oct. 29th, Mr. Wm. H. Harrow of
National, Iowa, to Miss Phebe Seely of the former place.
-At National, Iowa, in the Methodist Church by Rev. John Welsh,
on Sunday, Nov. 22, Mr. O.D. Pettet of National, to Miss Edna R.
Hutchins of North Island Vt. We have seen our friend Pettet since
his "surrender" and we take pleasure in announcing to
his numerous acquaintances, that he is the picture of
contentment.
National must be a fast place. Two Bachelors taken off and two
graceful members added to society in one week! May the additions
continue. It is not strange that a resident of National should be
in favor of "The Union".
Died.
At Fairview, M.T. July 22nd 1856, Mrs. Abby Ann Kerkendall, aged
57 years 6 months and 11 days.
We are weeping on earth for the lost,
There is bowing in grief to the ground,
But rejoicing and praise, mid the sanctified hosts,
For a spirit in paradise found.
Though brightness hath passed from the earth,
Yet a star is new born in the sky.
And a soul has gone home to the land of its birth,
Where are pleasures and fulness of joy.
And a new harp is strung, and a new song is given
To the breezes that float o'er the Gardens of Heaven.
E.I.V.
(Published by request - Wisconsin papers please copy)
Fresh Oysters
Our townsman Mr. Mason is expecting to supply the town and
country with this delicious bivalve during the winter. Dealers by
making known to Mr. Mason their weekly wants will oblige him and
secure a certain supply for their customers.
The Town
Improvements of a very substantial character are springing up in
every direction.
D. Allen & Co. are almost ready to commence business in their
new building east of the Public Square. S. S. Janes, Proprietor
of the "Floating Palace", is driving a large and
convenient house to completion nearly opposite Messrs. Allen
& Co. Drummond & Sinclair lose no time in finishing their
commodious house opposite The New Frame Block. Evans New Brick
between the McGegor House and the Amercan Saloon is mounting up
in rivalry of the hills in its rear. W.W. Allen Esq., is on hand
with a street full of material and a regiment of workmen laying
the foundation of an elegant Three Story Brick west of the
admirable store rooms of H.H. Wilkerson. Bartlett & Co.
Clothiers will soon have a house full of Goods on the East side
of Wilkerson. W.H. Baker one of our oldest Grocery and Provision
Merchants is putting his Stone Store room in tip top condition,
to accommodate the increased demand for goods in his line of
trade. W.H. Harding, Proprietor of the American, has just
completed a large Hall in the rear of his popular House, designed
to accommodate Concerts, Lecturers, Cotillion Parties, & c.
Chas. H. Shaw is finishing, under the superintendence of Mr.
James of St. Louis, a large room west of Chambers Furniture
Store. John Helwig has been compelled to erect a new Wagon and
paint shop, to meet the demands of a growing country. Williams
& Harvey have erected a Ware House up town, to shield their
immense stock of Iron and Stoves from the weather. Dwellings and
business houses begin to show an improved appearance all the way
up the valley. Mr. Bass, our efficient Road Superintendant is
doing his duty in the straightening and improvement of Main
Street, and the repair of the roads up the Coulee.
Take our town altogether we fear no comparison in the line of
progress with any place in the west. Put on the steam! Our
commercial Boiler is an Empire in area and cannot burst!
The Capital Reporter
The prompt receipt of The Capital Reporter in answer to
our request for an 'Exchange', puts us in an excellent humor. We
could not well have dispensed with it, and we trust that our
opportunities away up North may enable the Times to be
in some degree valuable to the able defender of the Iowa
Democratic citadel. All our politicians should read the Reporter
if they would know what is going on at the seat of government. It
will be particularly valuable this winter when the Constitutional
Convention and the Legislature are in session. We will forward
subscriptions for it with pleasure. We copy from it what is said
below -- the Times and its location are fortunate in
receiving the indorsement of this capital "Reporter:"
NEW DEMOCRATIC PAPER -- The North Iowa Times, a sheet
long promised, has at last made its appearance and a very
creditable one at that. It is published at McGregor, Clayton Co.,
by A..P. Richardson, and will undoubtedly be sustained by the
Democracy and business men of that portion of the State. McGregor
-- better known as McGregor's landing and long since advanced as
a most favorable point for the terminus of one great line of
railway across the State, is very likey, in the language of the Times,
"the best undeveloped River town in the West," It is
opposite Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin, the western extremity of
the Milwaukee and Mississippi R.R. now building and already three
millions of inhabited acres look to this outlet of trade alone.
Within the past four months 200 buildings have gone up and
everything has the appearance of a vigorous and active growth.
Books! Books!
We refer all the readers of McGregor and vicinity to the nice
assortment of Books and stationary on the shelves of Akn &
Co., Druggists, opposite the American Saloon. About 100 volumes
of the latest and most popular works have just been received.
Very handsome unabridged copies of the English and American
Poets, Webster's large and small Dictionaries [remainder cut off]
Correspondence of the Times
Ion, Allamakee Co. Iowa
Oct. 23, 1856
Ed, North Iowa Times
Dear Sir:
Having so earnestly extended to all your friends in Northern Iowa
an invitation to furnish you with a description of their
respective localities, I have ventured upon a rough sketch, of
the village of Ion, sometimes called Bunker Hill, from the fact
that the Post Office here was once so named, but for what reason
"scarce a Yankee could guess."
Ion is situated on Yellow River about 6 miles from the mouth on a
high bottom surrounded by the best timbered country in the State,
on the road leading from Monona to Lansing, about 8 1/2 miles
from Monona and 10 miles from Rossville. Its location is one of
the most healthy in Northern Iowa not excepting the high rairies,
and it possesses one of the best water powers on the river; for
the latter reason the first imrovement made was in mill building,
to which the entire attention of its proprietors was directed.
Since the completion of an excellent Saw Mill and a very superior
Flouring Mill, both of which are now in successful operation, the
latter running day and night with two run of Burrs, turning out
flour of a quality equal to any made in the State. The village
has been laid out in lots of 1/4 acre each and sold at moderate
prices, and now numbers about 120 inhabitants. It has one store
well stocked, one blacksmith shop and another store is about
being erected. A company from the east have recently purchased
lots here and bound themselves to erect a large building for the
manufactory of Cabinet furnitre, chairs, &c., intending to
employ from 20 to 25 hands in the business. This point, they say,
has better facilities both for water power and timber than any
other in this section of counry.
There have been large preparations made for the erection of
suitable buildings for a Tavern and Boarding houses which are now
in progress. The want of such accommodations has retarded the
growth and prosperity of the place heretofore. -- During the past
and present seasons much attention has been paid to the opening
and improvement of roads, and we now have the river well bridged
at this point, with an excellent road leading out to the high
prairie in Clayton Co.., with a much easier grade than from any
other point on this river, presenting no steeper ascent than is
to be found on the high rolling prairies, after they are reached.
There is also a god road leading northwardly by which Lansing,
Rossville, Waukon and the north and northwestern country can be
reached with heavy loads without "let or hindrance;"
and, although not yet completed, one leading to the mouth of
Yellow River, there to be met by a Steam Ferry from Prairie du
Chien; much labor has been and is still being expended on this
road and it is intended to be when made, an excellent one; if not
completed this season (which will be the case if labor sufficient
can be obtained) it will be done early in the spring.
This point has never been puffed in the newspapers nor by
handbills and advertisements posted up at every corner, nor has
any effort been made to induce ersons from abroad seeking
locations, to visit it, and heretofore having been a little off
the main traveled thoroughfares, it has escaped the attention of
the public, had it been otherwise it might and probably would
have been one of the largest towns in the County.
As yet I have said nothing of its prospects for the Rail Road,
because I do not believe its growth or rosperity depends upon it,
yet the Yellow River bottom has, ever since a R.R. was
contemplated on this side of the Mississippi River to connect
with that terminating at Prairie du Chien, been regarded as one
of the most feasible routes and the mouth of Yellow River a
prominent candidate for a starting point; and its prospects are
now fully equal if not superior to any other.
In conclusion permit me to give it as my opinion, humble as it
is, that Ion surrounded as it is by an already large and rapidly
ncreasing population of enterprising farmers, offers the best
inducements for the enterprise of the merchant, the manufacturer,
and mechanic of almost every description, and as there is to be
in the sring a large amount of building done here, contractors
now and during the winter, will do well to look to this poiint,
and persons acquainted with brick-making may here find profitable
employment.
May all success attend you in your new enterprise, and while we
desire to see this point flourish we will not be envious of the
growth and posperity of others.
I enclose a list of subscribers to your new and valuable paper,
trusting that you will "continue in well doing," that
which you have so well begun.
Yours truly,
G.S.
[transcribers note: G.S. is likely Sewall Goodridge, a very early
settler of Ion]
MONONA
A "flying visit", no .. we beg pardon of our industry
.. a working visit (it's only 13 miles, and a race over the
prairies is better than "Blue Pills" or a pill of the
blues) enables us to say that the village is marching onward.
Robert Carty, Esq., is nearly ready to commence business in his
new house on Mr. Barrs corner, south side of Main Stree. Dean,
Wells & Co. have added a convenient room to their store house
besides enlarging their original store room to double its size --
they await a heavy stock of merchandise from the East. Evans
& Egbert are filled up with goods and more coming. Our
esteemed friend "Doc" will sell a customer goods to
suit him and the "books" in his hands will always be
O.K. B.B Harding is receiving new goods. Ward is wide awake and
ready to oblige all who call upon him. Saxby has rearranged the
"Red House" and dubbed it the "Young America
Saloon" -- every thing looks nice, and "Sax" is
pleasant as usual.
Dwellings are being erected and others enlarged; lots nicely
fenced and trees both useful and ornamental are beginning to
occupy the streets and door yards.
The Hotels are doing a good business. We are informed that Mr.
Barrs of The Monona Hotel has succeeded in getting a fine supply
of Water for his popular house. Mr. Egbert of the Egbert Hotel
has demonstrated the fact that Monona has as much water a little
way down, as any other village in the country. His completion of
a House well by means of a six inch drill, and the commencement
of another to accommodate a crowded stable, evidence an
enterprize that marks the man. His Steam Saw Mill which was burnt
six or eight weeks ago, is already rebuilt and doing a business
that realizes the judgement of the Proprietor. We have known Mr.
Egbert since 1836, and can bear witness to the unconquerable
sirit of improvement that animates him. The new School House is
surrounded with lumber preparatory to its comletion. In a few
weeks, no town in the state will be better provided with school
facilities; a large two-story brick speaks well for the
intelligence of Monona and its vicinity. The adjacent farms are
being fenced, buildings are beginning to ornament the landscape
in all directions, and every thing bears evidence of thrift and
happiness. Next summer Monona will double in population and
business.
THE WEST
The article below from the Osage Democrat contains
statements so contradictory of reports that have been circulated
relative to the western portion of Northern Iowa, that we copy it
with much satisfaction, and invite our eastern readers
particularly to its perusal. It is a common saying off towards
sun-rise that the western counties of this latitude in Iowa ae
destitute of timber, arid in soil and generally of little value.
Like many other reports, this one turns out to be untrue. To the
man in want of second hand land in this region the Land Agents of
the Times columns offer superior inducements. To the
young and vigorous laborer whose nerve and muscle outweighs his
gold, we say, "Go to this land of promise and take one of
your Uncle Samuel's farms by preemption. Get under motion soon
too, or it will all be settled before you arrrive.
Farther West -- All the information we have heretofore been able
to give respecting the counties west of us has been obtained by
one-sided reports. Having but lately returned from a few day's
travel in the interior of both Worth and Winnebago, we are
prepared to give more reliable and fuller information respecting
them. Both counties have been represented as containing much low
and swampy land. But little of this did we see, and were informed
by the settlers that it was none too wet for a good farming
country. Neither is it destitute of timber. Elk Creek, which runs
through Worth county, is bordered along by large quantities of
timber of all aualitites, as is also Lime Creek, in Winnebago. In
township 99 range 22 there is a heavy body of timber which
surrounds Rice Lake. There is in this large quantities of saw
timber; and near this is located the town of Bristol. There are
now eleven houses erected upon the town plat: a good Hotel, a
store building which will soon be filled with goods; two
blacksmith shops, and a steam mill which will be in operation in
a few weeks. In township 100, range 23 there is another town laid
out to be called Lime Creek City. This town has a pleasant
location, and has a good body of timber to support it. South and
west of this is Forest City -- situated at what has been known as
the Big Brush Settlement. At both of these last named places they
intend to have a steam-mill; parties having gone East to obtain
them. In the vicinity and between these places the country is
well settled by an intelligent class of farmers, mostly American.
We were informed by them that many good farms were yet laying
unclaimed, but were fast being taken up. The settlers have formed
themselves into an organization, for the protection of their
rights, which is governed by a constitution and by-laws and a
jury being chosen to inquire into and settle all poins of
differences between the members of the club.
Should these lands be kept out of market for a year, these
counties would, without doubt, be as thickly settled as any in
the northern part of the State.
OUR AGENTS
We publish below a list of agents for the Times at some
of the offices to which our paper is sent. The receipts of either
of these gentlemen will be good at our office:
H. Emery, Monona
J.C. Beedy, Hardin
Dr. Barnes, Volney
W.F. Ross, Rossville
W. Beal, Wawkon
H. Hogan, Floyd Centre
J.H. Grannis, Strawberry Point
Dr. Linton, Garnavillo
Post Master, National
C. Watkins, Farmersburgh
W. McClintock, West Union
Geo. Coney, Fort Atkinson
W.F. Kimball, Decorah
John Kriebs, Guttenburgh
J.G. Jerome, Clayton City
E. Odell, Elkader
P.G. Wright, Clermont
G.W. Camp, Lansing
W.H. Morrison, Paint Rock
Jno. O. Porter, Ossian
Holbeck, Calmar
Higby, Postville
C.H. Blair, Prairie du Chien
J.H. Egbert, Preston, M.T.
Bell, Frankville
S. Goodrich, Ion
M. Malby, Lybrand
J.L. Bush, Union Prairie
John Blum, St. Charles
E. Haskell, Bradford
J.M. Griffith, DuBuque
A.D. Graves, Veron Springs
Dr. Elliot, Elliota
Robert Ross, Elkport
[transcribed by S.F., March 2005]
-----
North Iowa Times
McGregor, Clayton co. Iowa
November 21, 1856
Married
At Monona on Thursday Nov. 13, 1856 by Rev. D.B. Davidson, Mr.
Nathan Bowles to Miss Bertha Cummins.
Died.
On Saturday Nov. 8th at Monona, Reuben P.F. Tubbs, aged one year
and 8 months; son of Sylvester and Lavinia A. Tubbs.
[transcribed by S.F., March 2005]