Iowa Old Press
Daily Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Monday, April 2, 1860
Local Matters
Groceries.-Mr. H. B. RICE, having purchased the stock of
groceries formerly
owned by T. H. McGHEE, corner of Fourth and Brady streets, and
materially
added to the stock, is now prepared to sell every article in his
line on as
accommodating terms as they can be had in the place, and to
deliver goods at
city residences.
Coming Here.-We perceive by the Akron (O.) Beacon, that Mr. L. J.
IVES, of
that place, has sold his dwelling house there for the purpose of
at once
removing to Davenport with his family. He has a fine farm of 200
acres in
this county, near the city but we presume will enter in business
in town.
Mr. IVES has some acquaintance here, and will with his family
make an
excellent addition to our population. Many more persons are
coming here from
Ohio this season, we learn.
A Boy Thief.-Mr. H. GARRETT, shoe dealer No. 59 Brady street, has
for some
months past missed leather and other articles from his store.
Since the
arrest of BROPHY he learned that an apprentice boy in his
(GARRETT'S)
employ, named John GILLIGAN, aged about fifteen years, whose
parents reside
in Flat-Iron Square, has been selling such articles. On Saturday
a
search-warrant was given to constable WENTZ, who went to the
residence of
the boy's parents, but did not find any goods belonging to Mr.
G., although
he found a number of grain sacks marked "Stolen from J. M.
D. BURROWS." The
sacks were taken and identified. The boy GILLIGAN, and another
boy, were
arrested and taken to the magistrate's office, and committed to
jail until
this morning. The shoes found at BROPHY'S house were identified
by Mr.
GARRETT.-It appears his apprentice had taken and sold them to a
boy, who
sold them to BROPHY. From other facts which have come to our
knowledge,
which we are not at liberty to publish just now, it is evident
that there
has been a regular organized gang of thieves operating here for
some time.
The boy has been in Mr. G.'s employ about two years, and he
thought him
honest, and could scarcely believe that he had been stealing from
him when
first informed of it.
Amputated.-Last Saturday, Dr. J. W. H. BAKER, assisted by Drs.
FOUNTAIN,
THOMSON and SEMPLE, amputated the left arm of Mr. P. P. SIMMONS,
just below
the elbow. Mr. S., about three weeks ago, had the arm and forearm
badly cut
by coming in contact with a circular saw, whilst working in the
furniture
factory of Messrs. COLLINS & WOOD. The patient, who from loss
of blood and
the effects of the wound is quite feeble, was placed under the
influence of
chloroform during the operation, and was totally unconscious. Mr.
S. who is
a worthy mechanic, has a family dependent upon him for support.
They live
near the Railroad Depot.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2003]
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Daily Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Tuesday, April 3, 1860
Local Matters
Police Business was yesterday quite brisk. J. W. alias
"Bill" BROPHY was
brought before Justice JOHNS to receive sentence, having been
found guilty
by a jury, on Saturday, of stealing a copper kettle from Mr.
RENDSON, some
days ago, which he disposed of to the keeper of a junk-shop,
where it was
found. BROPHY was fined ten dollars and costs, and in default of
payment was
sent to board thirty days at the Ackley House, at the tax payers'
expense.
BORPHY was before C. G. BLOOD, Esq., yesterday, charged with
stealing a
buffalo robe, which was found in an unoccupied house adjoining
BROPHY'S
residence, from Mr. Thomas SCOTT, who identified the robe as the
one stolen
from his buggy. The robe was marked W. B., with green paint, and
a key to
the house where it was hidden was found in B.'s pocket. The
Justice decided
there was a reasonable doubt as to his stealing it, and
discharged him.
William was also charged with stealing a pair of stocks and dies
from the
ferry-boat. This case was continued a week, to get other
witnesses.
John GILLIGAN, the apprentice boy who was arrested on Saturday
for stealing
from Mr. H. GARRETT, his employer, was before Justice BLOOD,
charged with
stealing two pairs of men's sewed gaiters, which were found at
BROPHY'S. The
evidence being conclusive, he was committed to the Ackley House
for ten
days. As the cuisine of this apparently popular house is said to
be
excellent, we suppose the above mentioned "cases" will
be contented to
retire from public life for a short time, especially as the
tax-payers pay
their bills.-They should be compelled to exercise their muscles
cracking
stone for the streets, which would improve their appetite and
save the
people's pockets.
Seeing Them Off.-Mr. John LUSK, who for twenty-one years has been
a resident
of Rock Island, during the past five years employed as pilot by
the Ferry
company, and Mr. D. D. SMITH, son of Mr. John SMITH of that city,
started
for Pike's Peak. They were accompanied to this side of the river
and the
city limits by the members of WAUGH'S Band, (of which Mr. SMITH
was a
member), and Messrs. STORM and HARTEL, of the Rifle Band. Mr. A.
TAYLOR, of
the Daguerrean Gallery, corner of Second and Brady streets, took
an
excellent picture of the Band, team and wagon, which he presented
to "Davy."
The Band discoursed beautiful music as they marched along. We
wish the
gentlemen great success at the Peak, as they are clever fellows
and deserve
it.
Attempted Incendiarism.-Last Sunday night, some of the family of
Mr. C.
McGUINLY who reside in a house owned by John McCUMISKEY, on
Eighth between
Farnam and Le Claire streets were attracted by smoke issuing from
the
cellar. Upon searching, there was found in three different places
evidences
of an attempt to fire the house. some shucks and hay had been
placed on the
cellar wall, and between the joists, and fired. Owing to the damp
air, they
did not effect their purpose. We understand the house, which is
of little
value, is insured in the Missouri State Mutual Office, for four
hundred
dollars.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2003]
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Daily Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Friday, April 13, 1860
Francis W. Crane D. W. C. Sanford
CRANE & SANFORD
Brokers in Provisions
and Breadstuffs
No. 89 Second Street, cor. of Locust
St. Louis.........Missouri
Hotels
BURTIS HOUSE
Corner of Iowa and Fifth Streets
Davenport, Iowa
Mrs. Lydia Ann MAGILL
Having handsomely fitted up No. 24, Third street between Main and
Brady, is
prepared to furnish rooms to a limited number of boarders, and
will also
accommodate a few day boarders.
New Pennsylvania House
Cor. 4th and Iowa Sts., Davenport, Iowa
DAVIS & Sons, Proprietors
Free Omnibus to and from the cars.-Office for stages leaving for
LeClaire,
Princeton, Lyons, DeWitt, Maquoketa and Anamosa.
Local Matters
Theatrical.-Mr. Joe HARTEL, a member of STORM'S Band and the
Turners'
Thespian Society of this city, takes a benefit at the German
Theatre
to-morrow (Saturday) evening. He presents an attractive bill,
embracing
comedy, pantomime, gymnastics, singing and dancing, and hopes on
this
occasion to see all his friends and their neighbors.-M'lle
AUBREY, Mr. O. B.
BRACE, the Davenport and Rock Island Turners, STORM'S Band, and
several
ladies and gentlemen, amateurs, have volunteered for the
occasion. The
programme presented should draw a large audience.
Fire.-Yesterday afternoon about four o'clock a small frame house
situated on
8th east of Rock Island street, was destroyed by fire. The house
belonged to
a Mr. SMITH, who is now in St. Louis. It was occupied by a widow
named
DONNELLY. The neighbors succeeded in saving most of the furniture
in the
house. The fire started in a shed adjoining the house, and was
most likely
caused by sparks from the stove pipe. The high wind caused the
fire to burn
so rapidly that it was impossible to stop it. The fire department
responded
to the alarm, and had a time pulling their apparatus up the hill.
Petty Stealing.-Yesterday Mr. Charles Lesslie had a whip stolen
from his
carriage, standing on Front street. It and another whip were
found on the
premises of a young lad about sixteen years of age, who was
arrested and
taken before C. G. BLOOD, Esq.-The boy, who was intoxicated, said
he found
them, one in the street and the other in Galena or Bellevue, he
could not
tell exactly which. He said he wished to raise some change to get
"tobaccy
and cigars" with.-After being detained some time he was
advised to leave
town, or take his chances of becoming a boarder at the
"Ackley house."
Petty Stealing.-Day before yesterday a girl, eight years of age,
belonging
to Patrick FOLEY'S family, living on the bluff on Eighth street,
between
Rock Island and Perry, back of Mr. McGIVEN'S house, was seen to
leave the
rear porch of Rev. Mr. MAGOUN'S dwelling in a suspicious manner
while the
family were absent, and several articles of children's clothing
were at once
missed by the servant. On Mr. M's return a family call was made
at Mr. FOLEY
'S close by, and the girl asked to produce the missing property.
Her mother
took from a chest not only the article stolen that day,
containing several
little girls' drawers, bonnet, boys boots, &c., but one or
two articles not
before missed. Yesterday morning they again visited the house and
recovered
more things which some previous time lately must have been taken
from trunks
up stairs in Mr. M's residence, where they had been packed away.
This girl,
only eight years old, having doubtless explored the whole house
some time
during the absence of the family. Mr. M. saw a number of other
things at
Foley's which had evidently been stolen, such as dresses, fine
white
coverlets, &c. Those who have missed anything of the kind
lately, had better
enquire into this. FOLEY yesterday morning started to Missouri,
with his
uncle and a boy, so we understand. It is a matter of sincere
regret that he
did not take along his interesting family.
Surgical Operation.-Some months ago Mr. George LAMB, machinist,
of this city
met with an accident in a machine shop in St. Louis, which made
it necessary
to amputate his left leg above the knee. From some cause the
wound did not
heal properly. The "Femur" or thigh-bone, becoming
diseased, made second
operation necessary, taking off about three inches of the bone,
which was
performed yesterday by Dr. FOUNTAIN. The patient was put under
the influence
of chloroform and last evening he was as comfortable as the
circumstance
would admit. Drs. TOMSON, ADLER, MAXWELL and BAKER were present
during the
operation.
Private Watchmen.-Last night Mr. Henry ROHN commenced his duty as
private
watchman on block 61, bounded by Brady, Perry, Front and Second
streets. We
know Mr. ROHN as a good and responsible man and feel assured he
will give
satisfaction to those who employ him. He fills the station
formerly held by
Mr. CUNNINGHAM.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2003]
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Daily Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Tuesday, April 17, 1860
Local Matters
A Wife Whipper.-A Teutonic individual known as Dr. Herman Beyer
was arrested
last Saturday afternoon by Constable WENTZ, on complaint of
Mrs. Wilhelmina
BEYER, his better half, with whom he had enjoyed marital
relations for the
last thirteen years. The lady charged him with having beaten her
and
threatened her life. Yesterday he was brought before H. R.
CLAUSSEN, Esq.,
who required him to give bonds to the amount of one hundred
dollars, to keep
the peace towards mankind in general and especially toward the
said
Wilhelmina BEYER. In default he was committed to the Ackley House
where he
will have an opportunity to meditate on the phases of conjugal
happiness.
The Lower Engine House That Is To Be.-We think that part of Mayor
CALDWELL'S
inaugural address, wherein he urges the council to support our
Fire
Department and thereby keep up an organization which is a credit
to the
city, an excellent one. Our council will have an opportunity now
to carry
out the suggestion of our worthy Mayor, by fixing up the lower
market house
in which they intend to station two of our Fire Companies, in a
little more
decent manner than it promises to be fitted up, judging from
present
appearance. The floor of the market house at present is laid with
brick,
which are undermined with rats. The holes are now quite numerous
and will
become more so when the apparatus will have been dragged in and
out a few
times, unless the old bricks are replaced by a new tight floor.
We are not
surprised if the firemen should have a harder fight with the
vermin, keeping
them from eating their hose, &c., than they have with the
elements.
Bound For The Peak.-Yesterday quite a sensation was created on
the streets
by the appearance of a number of well known "Rock
Islanders" and their
friends, accompanied by Storms' United Military and Brass Band,
who
discoursed excellent music on the route through town. The company
consisting
of Messrs. John R. REYNOLDS, Hugh CAMERON, Robert WILKINSON,
Charles
ANDREWS, David REDDERG, Robert McIVER. They have two wagons, and
propose
crossing the Missouri river at Plattsmouth. They expect to be
joined at Iowa
City by several other teams. We believe all the aforementioned
have resided
in Rock Island for the past ten years, and all are married men.
We mentioned
some days ago in a "local," that "grass
vidders" would be plenty across the
creek. Our conclusion will be more than verified, as we
understand that
about one hundred have already been made, and from present
appearances about
fifty more will be added to the list. Well, all we can do is to
wish the
gold hunters great success, and a safe return to their families
and friends.
A fellow, who gave his name as REDOUT, a stranger here, attempted
to rob the
money drawer at the St. Nicholas, on Saturday evening. He was
discovered by
the proprietor, Mr. Phil HEINE, who seized him, and opening his
hand found
one bill in it, which he returned to the drawer. Phil, then gave
him ten
minutes to leave the State, and accompanied him to the river and
saw him
off, in a skiff, for Iowa. It is said that he belongs in Fort
Madison.-R. I.
Argus
We don't admire the plan of sending the "Redout" men of
Illinois to Iowa,
but if this scamp practices any similar game to the above here,
he doubtless
will soon "belong to Fort Madison" where our
penitentiary is.
Married
On the 14th inst., at the residence of the Misses DAVIS, in
Walcott, by Rev.
Mr. SMITH, Dr. E. B. BILLS and Miss Celelia GILLESPIE, all of
Durant, Cedar
county Iowa.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2003]
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Daily Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Wednesday, April 18, 1860
Local Matters
Griswold College.-The Preparatory Department of this institution
is to have
a vacation till Monday, April 30th, the vacation beginning on
Monday of this
week. This arrangement has been adopted in consequence of serious
illness in
the family of Professor JUDD The two-weeks vacation thus taken at
the
present time will be added to the end of the term. At the
re-opening of the
school, Professor SHELDON will enter upon his duties in
connection with
Professor JUDD.
Mr. A. S. ALSTON and bride have returned home. The day of their
wedding and
departure, last Wednesday, a host of friends collected at the
bride's home,
Mr. Edwin SMITH'S, to congratulate the happy couple.-We were
among these
friends, and are now recalled to a sense of our congratulating
duty by the
return of the newly united. We wish them great joy-a happy life
extending
even beyond the sacred limits of "three score and
ten"-and every day of it
one of gladness.
Sudden Death.-Mrs. CARROLL, wife of Mr. W. L. CARROLL, architect
of this
city, died rather suddenly yesterday afternoon at the residence
of Mrs.
HAVENS, her aunt, northwest corner of Third and Iowa streets. She
has been
quite feeble with consumption for some months. Having expressed a
desire to
return east to her friends, Mr. CARROLL broke up house-keeping,
and
yesterday afternoon took his wife to the residence of Mrs. HAVENS
preparatory to taking the cars for the east this morning.
Runaway and Accident.-Yesterday afternoon a young horse which was
being
broke to harness, became unmanageable when on Second, near Ripley
street,
and started off and ran the wagon to which it was attached
against a team
belonging to a Mr. BROWN, starting them off up Second, when near
the corner
of Harrison street they ran into and upset the wagon of Mr.
Daniel SHAFER,
in which he and his son William were riding.-They were both
thrown out and
hurt, the boy very severely although no bones were broken. Dr.
OLSHAUSEN
dressed the boy's wounds. Mr. SHAFER'S wagon was considerably
used up.-The
man who, if we are rightly informed, was the cause of the trouble
should be
made to pay for all damages, and the next time he has a colt to
break to a
wagon he should select some other place than one of the principal
streets of
the city. We believe his name is Joseph VOLZ.
Female Shoplifter Caught.-Yesterday the office of C. G. BLOOD,
Esq., was the
scene of a most amusing Irish female colloquy. Mrs. Catherine
KILLION was
arrested, at the instance of Eldridge & Williams, charged
with stealing a
number of yards of calico, remnants, &c, all worth about
$1.75. She visited
the store on pretence of buying a shawl, and while the clerks
were busy,
secreted the goods under her shawl, and left the store. But the
lynx-eyed
clerk, Mr. JEFFRIES, "smelt a rat," followed her, and
made her give up the
plunder. She said that a little girl of Patrick FOLEY'S gave them
to her to
keep. But there being no proof that Mary FOLEY, the mother, was
present at
the trial, and between her and Mrs. KILLION such a
hailstorm of words
ensued as turned the office into a pandemonium of female
scolding. By the
aid of constables, the noise subsided. Mrs. KILLION was found
guilty and
fined $3 damages and $3.60 costs. Of late, the store of ELDRIDGE
& WILLIAMS
has been visited by petty pilferers, and the loss of goods
frequent. But
JEFFRIES, who is supposed to have eyes in four sides of his head,
has
detected the criminals. Let the thieves look sharp for him. Wait
till he
goes to dinner before you attempt to steal in that store.
The Young Men's Literary Association of Davenport finds itself a
loser to
the amount of just $25, as the result of the winter course of
lectures which
have just terminated. This will be considered an unfavorable
index of the
literary taste of that city when it is known that it has had
Horace GREELEY,
Mortimer THOMPSON, Tom MARSHALL and other notables to assist
it.-Dubuque
Times.
Not exactly so. We consider that in this, the only course of
lectures in the
State participated in by gentlemen from abroad, we have come out
admirably
in not losing more than the above amount, the expenses of every
lecture
averaging nearly forty dollars. On Horace GREELEY'S and Tom
MARSHALL'S
lectures the Association made more than expenses. It was on the
"lesser
lights" we lost. The lectures were generally well
attended-at least
sufficiently well to prevent the result being any stigma on the
literary
taste of our people.
Died
On Tuesday of consumption, Mary A. CAROLL, wife of Willett L.
CARROLL. The
friends of the family are invited to attend her funeral, from the
2d Baptist
Church, on Thursday morning, at 10 o'clock.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2003]
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Daily Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Friday April 27, 1860
Local Matters
Arm Broken.-Yesterday two small boys were riding horses at rather
a fast
pace down Front street, when near Iowa, one of the horses
"shied" and threw
his rider, a boy named COLLINS, aged about eleven years, whose
father
resides on the corner of Front and Iowa streets. The boy's right
arm was
badly broken near the shoulder.
Theological Students.-At the anniversary exercises yesterday, of
commencement week at the Chicago Theological Seminary, six essays
were read,
tow of which were from gentlemen who were students of the Iowa
College in
this city, and will be remembered by many of our citizens, viz:
Edwin O.
TADE and Edwin L. JAGGER.
Attempted Suicide.-Last Tuesday an elderly man named CREGG, who
resides on a
farm near Lost Grove in this county, hung himself in his barn. He
was found
by his friends and cut down before life was extinct . At last
accounts he
had not yet recovered from the effects of the
"strangulation" and it was
doubtful if he would. There is no cause assigned for the act.
Lost.-In passing from the store of L. H. VIELE, Davenport, to
Rock Island,
yesterday afternoon, a wallet containing about ten dollars in
bank bills,
also several notes of hand and papers valuable only to the owner.
The finder
will receive a reasonable reward by leaving the above at this
office, or
with the owner, E. MEAD, a few miles below town, on the
Rockingham road.
Three Horses Burned.-Last Tuesday noon the stable of Mr. John
MADDEN, who
lives about twelve miles from the city in Winfield township,
accidentally
caught fire from some burning embers of straw which Mr. Madden
supposed were
extinguished. The stable, in which were six horses, was
destroyed, with
three of the horses. The family were at dinner at the time. We
believe there
was no insurance.
Fire in Rock Island.-Yesterday morning about half past nine
o'clock, a fire
broke out in the frame building on Washington, near Illinois
street, Rock
Island, occupied as a match factory by E. P. DEYO. Owing to the
combustible
material in the factory the fire rapidly spread to a large
stable, occupied
by Mr. D., and the carpenter shop of Mr. E. J. CROPPER, all of
which were
destroyed. The wood house of Mr. W. H. WHITMAN and the rear part
of two
frame buildings on Illinois street were somewhat damaged, and had
it not
been for the well directed efforts of the firemen, the
consequences would
have been much more disastrous. The total loss is about seventeen
hundred
dollars upon which there is but little insurance. The following
are the
losers:--J. M. PARKER, owner of the factory building and stable,
$600; E. P.
DEYO, machinery, stock on hand and harness, $600; two of Manney's
Reapers
were stored in the stable, $300; E. J. CROPPER'S, carpenter shop,
$100; J.
M. PARKER and Mrs. BIDDISON, frame dwellings $150, fully insured
in the
Peoria Co.; W. H. WITMAN $50, covered by insurance in a New Haven
Co. The
Davenport fire department were promptly on hand at the Ferry
landing, but
were compelled to wait some time for the boat, the crew having
gone to
assist Mr. Phillip KEEN, whose dwelling house was in some danger.
When the
boys did get over they made up for lost time, and were soon at
work.
Suicide of a Young Lady.-Night before last Miss Delich VANDUZER,
aged 17
years, whose mother, a widow, resides about two miles north of
LeClaire, was
found hanging by the neck dead in a stable near the house. It
appears that
there was a singing class in the neighborhood on that evening,
and her
brother and sister attended it. She left the house and her mother
supposed
she had gone also. Upon the return of the family from the school
her absence
being made known to her mother, search was made and her body
found as above
described. Disappointed affection is said to have been the cause
of her
committing the act. A Cornoner's Inquest was held yesterday by
Esquire
HORTON of LeClaire.-Miss D. is said to have been an amiable young
lady, and
her unfortunate death has cast a gloom over a large circle of
friends. Her
funeral will take place this morning. This is the third suicide
in this
county we have recorded within a few days past, with two
attempts, both
nearly succeeding by women, and a third by a man. One suicide
shot himself,
and the other hung himself. One of the women tried to drown
herself, and the
other to end her life by the use of the rope. The man also
attempted to hang
himself.-This is an extraordinary condition of things.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2003]
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Daily Gazette
Davenport, Scott, Iowa
Monday, April 30, 1860
Local Matters
The weather yesterday was very warm and bright, but the high wind
and clouds
of dust made things out of doors disagreeable.
All Smoke.-Last Saturday morning one of the occupants of
Sherman's building,
corner of Brady and Second streets, carelessly placed a
"chunk" from a stove
into a bucket of rubbish which was sitting beneath a stairway.
The aforesaid
"chunk" having some fire on it, came near causing
considerable trouble, as
the bucket and contents took fire; and had they not been early
discovered, a
serious fire must have been the result.
Off to California.-Mr. Wm. T. CRESSLER, a young lawyer of much
promise, who
for the past three years has been in the office of COOK &
DILLON, in this
city, leaves for the Pacific Coast to-day, in company with the
Messrs. FISH,
ALVORD &c. It is, we believe, his intention to settle in that
country. We
wish Mr. CRESSLER great success, and he bears with him the best
wishes of a
host of friends. A more amiable, upright and honest young man we
have not in
our midst. We regret his departure, but true; what is our loss
will prove
his gain.
Plowing Match at Long Grove.-In company with a distinguished plow
manufacturer-distinguished alike for the superiority of his plows
and for
his won qualities as a "first rate fellow"-and with one
of our Democrat
contemporaries, we attended a plowing match at the Long Grove
settlement
last Friday, on the beautiful farm of Mr. John ROBERTSON.-The day
was
delightful, the roads in capital condition, and all nature seemed
smiling.-For twelve or thirteen miles, the distance to Long
Grove, we passed
through as rich and beautiful a country perhaps as can be found
in the whole
West, and nearly every acre of it fenced in or under cultivation.
The wheat
was spring up fresh, green and even, the fields being plowed for
corn, and
the fruit trees out in blossom. Everything seemed to wear an air
not only of
beauty and freshness, but of health and prosperity. Cooped up in
an
editorial cage as we have been for so many months, probably we
were better
prepared to enjoy a trot in the country, mid rural scenes and
under the
freshning glow of spring sunshine.
Arrived at Mr. ROBINSON'S farm we received a cordial welcome from
his in
person, and from many other friends who were assembled to witness
the
Plowing Match. Mr. R. has one of the best located and finest
farms in the
county. A view of miles extends in every direction from his house
as a
centre, comprising homesteads, groves and cultivated fields. Long
Grove is
principally a Scotch settlement, and its people are distinguished
for
industry, careful husbandry, and indeed for all the best
characteristics of
the best farmers and citizens. Annually for several years past,
we believe,
they have had these plowing matches-an innocent emulation tending
to produce
better farming, a higher degree of skill, and to arouse the
ambition of the
younger men. The number present on this occasion showed the
interest felt in
this peaceful contest. The neighborhood was well represented, the
crowd
increasing as the match progressed, and as dinner time
approached-for they
all knew Mrs. ROBERTSON would have great dinner, and they were
not
disappointed!
There were two classes of competitors, a "Senior
class," for men, and a
"Junior Class" for boys under seventeen years of age.
The first were to plow
about three quarters of an acre each, and the latter about half
this
quantity. There were twelve entrees in the first class, and seven
in the
second, as follows:
Wm. GRIEVE, Jas. STEEL,
Wm. JOHNSON, Wm. STEEL,
Peter DUNCAN, Elisha HUMMELL,
S. J. ROBERTS, Adoph HOLLAND,
Jos. NICHOLS, Hugh McNAUGHT
Mark THOMPSON, Garvin BARRIE.
The members of the Junior Class were:
Jas. GRIEVE, Alex. WILLIAMSON,
Dan'l LITTLE, Thos. GLENN,
John QUINN, Wm. NEIL,
Wm. ROBERTSON.
The Judges were experienced farmers selected from outside the
township-Messrs. Wm. RIGG, John LAMBERT, and Chas. MURRAY. They
remained
away from the field till the plowing was over, so as to be
utterly unbiased
in their decision. At about 9 ½ o'clock the Senior Class
commenced, each
plowman having a substantial two horse team well accustomed to
the work. The
juveniles soon followed, and then for perhaps a couple of hours
there were
nineteen plows at work in one field! The men worked without
noise, and it
was the quietest scene of busy life we ever witnessed. After
enjoying
ourselves finely in viewing this spectacle and in the
companionship of our
farmer friends, and having partaken of a substantial lunch at Mr.
R.'s we
returned home. Through the attention of Mr. HARDIE, we have
received the
following note giving the decision of the Judges:
Long Grove, Friday evening, April 27.
Messrs. Editors:--The Judges, after the most careful inspection,
so much of
the plowing being nearly equal, awarded the prizes as follows:
Senior Class.
1st Prize-Adoph HOLLAND.
2d Prize-William GRIEVE.
3d Prize---John QUINN.
Junior Class.
1st Prize-William ROBERTSON.
2d Prize-William NEIL.
3d Prize---John QUINN.
When the plowing was over and during the time the Judges were
examining the
results, the plowmen with over one hundred spectators, were most
generously
treated to dinner, which was served in the most hospitable manner
by Mrs.
ROBERTSON.
Respectfully yours,
David HARDIE, Sec'y.
The boys who competed in this match did admirably. There were
several little
shavers whose heads were not far above the plow handles, yet they
plowed
furrows straight as an arrow, and did their work almost as well
as the
Seniors. We never saw better plowing anywhere than that done by
these lads,
who went heartily into the spirit of the thing.-How the Judges
could decide
when all was so good, we cannot tell, but they did it, and we
presume their
decisions were satisfactory. Such pleasant as these should be
got-up in
every county in the State. Most certainly we were glad to have
been at this
match, so creditable to all engaged.
[transcribed by C.J.L., 2003]