Iowa
Old Press
Muscatine Journal
Muscatine, Muscatine, Iowa
July 7, 1880
BUFFALO BUDGELL
Buffalo, Iowa, July 4, 1880 [Scott Co.]
Eds. Journal - The celebration of our national holiday was
generally accepted as most fitting on yesterday by all those who
love the country and desire to continue its blessings of liberty
to other generations. At Blue Grass yesterday, Dr. Rhea, of
Davenport, spoke to 500 people, and we were impressed that his
words had a savor of "life unto life" or of "death
unto death." They were plain words, clothed in a pleasant,
jolly, holiday dress, and ought to help heavenward. But the
condition of the Blue Grass people is strange and distressing.
How they can sit compacently by and see saloons planted one after
another in their midst, breeding moral pestilence and death, is a
strange mystery to us. Twenty years have passed and each drunkard
maker who went there was required to evacuate promptly as if he
were a small pox victim. Now, they seem to have turned and kissed
the murderer's ax and say by their action, "go, slay our
sons, they are fit only for the spoiler." Blue Grass has
come in possession of this great mine of iniquity by the
acquiesence of her church people. It could not have been, had
they said it shall not be. They are not cowards, but placed their
standard low, and it would seem the drunkard makers themselves
their equal, in in fact so declare. We would say let the people
rise up in their might. Lift up the trailing banner of the great
King of Kings, and in his name rally and shout victory over this
worst of foes. Cross Roads celebrated and that strong man, Dr.
Collins, editor of the Northwestern News, addressed the
people. It was a grand effort. It would have been better if the
Cross Roads people had joined their celebration to Blue Grass.
They would have done so, but were informed the rally at Blue
Grass was not in the name of temperance, which was an error. Both
were temperance celebrations. Had they been in the interests of
sin, a much larger crowd would have been in attendance. The
drunkard makers have had a very great success in their 4th of
July celebration at that place, judging from the number of men
being taken home by some one, tottering like some decayed
structure.
A young man offers for sale a large wrench used in putting
together iron pipe. It is of the latest pattern and has a movable
die or fulcrum. A J Allen secured it for 50 cents. Any one
proving property can have the same by paying expenses. It was
said to have been picked up on the road near Muscatine and has
the dealer's cost and price mark on it and is a $3.00 to $4.00
tool.
A.J. Allen, of this place, has quit the use of tobacco, which he
has used for a quarter of a century. Do not let unchristian
people pray that he may keep this pledge. It is mockery.
The rain cloud that broke over and north of this place, caused a
torrent of water to rush for the river, carrying by our place
fences, rye in the bundle, and a large sized calf of Henry
Springmyer.
HARRY.
GRANDVIEW GLEANINGS.
The public schools have closed and Mr. Hunter and Miss Lizzie
Wagner have proven themselves proficien instructors. Their work
is highly appreciated by the patrons of the schools.
The Eastern Iowa Normal school is about to close the years'
successful work. The commencement exercises will take place
Thursday evening, July 15. A grand time is anticipated, superior
to any previous year. A class of noble young men and women are
about to enter upon life's duties. The class consists of E.C.
McGehee, A.W. Eldridge, A.T. Piercy, Lizzie Wagner, May Cutler,
Mattie Piercy, Jessie Tiffany, F.M. Cooper, B.F. Matricle and S.
Schenck. All are cordially invited to be present at the
graduating exercises.
Personal.
- Mr. S.W. Lewis of Wellman, a competent druggist and pharmacist,
has taken a position with J.H. Canon. His family have removed to
this city.
- Mr. R. Davis, of Anita, Cass county, formerly of Muscatine, is
in the city, visiting his brother-in-law, T.B. Prosner. Mr. Davis
is engaged in the grain business.
Suicide of a Man Jumping from the Rock Island Bridge.
Davenport Gazette, 7th: A German named Edward Yager came
on the bridge last night at 10 o'clock, with a new rope in his
hand, and told the bridge tender he was going to commit suicide.
The bridge men drove him away and warned him not to return. No
more was seen of him until about fifteen minutes to 1 o'clock,
when a number of men coming on the bridge the guard followed
after them, and when about 200 feet from the Davenport end, saw
someone hanging over the water, holding fast to the rail.
Suspecting it might be the would be suicide, the guard approached
him noiselessly, but when within about eight feet the man let go
and dropped.
[transcribed by C.J.L., April 2007]