Iowa Old Press

North Iowa Times
McGregor, Clayton co. Iowa
October 10, 1856

A MOTHER.
In the list of Premiums at the late Fair of Clayton County, we notice that three were received by Mrs. Richard Pearson, of Guttenberg. They were awarded for 'Best Bed-spread', "Woolen flannel" and "raised-work, quilt." We learn that Mrs. P. is a lady of sixty two years, and yet these specimens of skill and industry were made by her own hands. What a contrast is this to the fashionable style of female education. Many young ladies of the present, are taughte to thrum the last "Polka," on a Piano or Guitar and their admiring friends pronounce them accomplished. If a man is so unfortunate as to marry one of them, he awakes from the rapture her music has inspired to bake his own bread and sew the buttons on his shirts. We like music, and by no means, would discourage its cultivation, but let us have household duties well performed or home is valueless. Long may our venerable mother, now nineteen years a resident of the county, fare as an exemplar to the future wives of Iowa.

DIED. At McGregor, Iowa, on Monday morning [illegible] 6th, W.L. Peterson, aged about 55. The deceased was a stranger among us, having only been here a few weeks. We have learned but little in relation to his history, but a communication from his friends, addressed to [illegible] Miller, Esq., of McGregor, will be respon[illegible]. He had worked at the Carpenter and Join[illegible] business until a few days before his death; his illness being very brief. He was a kind, inof[illegible] well informed, honest, man, and universally respected by those who had made his acquaintance. It is supposed he has a son near St. Charles, Iowa.
Republican and Intelligencer please copy.

SWAMP LANDS.
The entire swamp lands of Clayton County, as reported to the Governor, numbered less than 5,900 acres, of which 135 acres remain unsold. By an Act of our Legislature the condemned lands were [illegible] to the Counties in which they [illegible]. We did [illegible] large gift, but then we are not blessed with as much swamp as some Counties in Illinois and Indiana.

LETTERS.
We know many men of fine ability who from neglect or sensitiveness have never put their communications in type; and yet their letters were of the most valuable character. The 'facts' are what we want, and it is not important about the style of their arrangement. The want of scholarship does not incapacitate you for this business. We are obliged to "J.H.G." of Strawberry Point, for the first favor of this kind -- his letter is published today. Who will be the next to set his village before the readers of the Times? Pitch in gentlemen, we are waiting.

LAND OFFICES.
Osage, Fort Dodge and Sioux City are all the Land Offices in Iowa where entries can now be made.

LIVERY STABLE
We invite attention to the "Livery Stable" advertisement of W.A. Parry at Monona. From personal acquaintance with Mr. Parry, and aknowledge of his energy, probity, and business capacity, we do not doubt that the enterprise he is undertaking will give entire satisfaction to those who may fall into his hands, and be crowned with abundant success to himself. He is an experienced Stage-Proprietor and he has tact and liberality well combined. You'll never regret riding with him.

REPUBLICAN INTELLIGENCER.
By a lucky accident we have had the acquaintance for some weeks, of the above paper, published at St. Charles, Iowa, by Hildrath & Carver. It is neatly printed and its editorial columns evidence fine newspaper talent. St. Charles is said to be the most beautiful of North Iowa villages, in the midst of a country of unparallelled excellence. We have many acquaintances in that vicinity, emigrants from Hoosierdam and we propose to pay them a visit shortly to see for ourselves what resemblance that part of Floyd county [remainder illegible]

EXPRESS and HERALD.
By the kindness of the Publishers we are favored with the Daily Express and Herald. It is the oldest and among the ablest journals issued at DuBuque. Many members of the Democratic party regard it as too tame and conciliatory toward the opposition, and candor compels the confession, that we as a reader of it during the State canvass, thought it unfortunate in copying so much of the manufactured Kansas "Horror" from that most mendacious sheet, the Missouri Democrat. With the Editorials, of the Express we have generally been well pleased. A paper of established character, distinguished for fairness and exerting an influence co-extensive with the north half of the state cannot afford the loss ofreputation which a free use of campaign denunciation would entail upon it. The political articles of the Express and Herald are generally brief and unanswerable. Its news columns, particularly in Iowa Items are calculated to post the general reader more satisfactorily than those of any other paper we meet. We like it for its dignified tone and irrefutable political facts. It has a very large circulation and is well sustained by the commercial interests of DuBuque.

FAYETTE CO. PIONEER.
This valuable newspaper published at West Union, by J. Gharky, has been regularly received for several weeks, and we take this first occasion to thank its excellent editor for the favor. We have been more or less a reader of it for a year or two, and we cheerfully bear witness to the uniform dignity that has marked its course. If newspapers are edited at all for the development of a country's resources, for the establishment of order, social and moral benefits, and business facilities, their should the people of West Union regard the Pioneer and its editor with very profound respect. It affords us pleasure to notice in the Pioneer the proceedings of a spirited meeting of the Democracy of Fayette Co. It was held on the 20th Sept., at West Union. [remainder cut off]

[transcribed by S.F., February 2005]


Iowa Old Press
Clayton County