The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-09-14
Bloomington, Iowa.
Correspondence Of the Herald

Correspondence Of the Herald
BLOOMINGTON, Iowa, Aug rs, 1874
Life in Iotca-Fsmals Society-A Mighty City IN
Embryo-Great Property and Bright Prospects.
J. G. BENNETT, Eso.-
In former communication to you l said it was
far easier task for me to describe this beautiful,
glorious and bountiful country, it from the
hand of its Maker, than describe politicians and
men in their deplorable state OF degradation, de-
formity and corruption, but have seldom alluded
to the other sect-the female society in Iowa
This Is a different theme altogether, and yet not
the less important. Bloomington has long been
celebrated as the nucleus Of female society in
Iowa, and TO which place that plant has been
transplanted from almost every State and principal
city in the Union, with all the beauty, gaiety, glory
and e. excellence, which adorable woman possesses
in her native place, wherever that may be. Know
we, the whole world then, that although our bloom
ing village is on the western bank Of this majestic
river, approaching the border OF the savage coun-
try, that our character approaches not uncivlliza-
ton, descends NOT from the high rank and station
west we brought our souls with us we brought our
education our mother tongue, with all its pecu-
larities, and here we assemble together at parties,
balls cotons, pic MICS, celebrations, boat rides,
sleigh rides, equestrian excursions, weddings, and
we c0mmingle with the eastern, southern and
westerners, and each are generally disposed to
learn customs of the other, rather than establish
their peculiar dominion, and OH what field Of OBJ
trating reporters! What display OF human ma
ture, philosophy, christianity and aristocracy!
1t Is not unfrequent that we see assembled here,
at one OF these parties, from Is to 80 ladies' (and
one-fourth more gentlemen) appearing in all the
elegance, beauty. grace and splendor OF costume
and person to be found in any OF your southern or
northern villages. But gay party in one OF your
old sedate villages (where they do happen to occur
nj WI q hea n n r tn M
in merrlment, life, JOY, animation, self-compacen-
cy, independence, interest and love. can illus
trate to you enc OF these frequent and glorious
scenes in no better way than by reminding you OF
one of the old-fashioned Presbyterian churches
slow grave, gracious, dignfed and heart chilling,
compared with one Of Mr.. Mathis great revival
meetings, where ell is intense interest," excitement,
heart-rendng, sou-stirring. convicting and con-
verting. So the fair sex have made these parties
in and around Bloomington 1t was at one Of
these gay parties that stood one evening, on my
bachelor reservation, and saw cupid's darts, with
their diamond points, shoot gracefully about in
every direction, and saw my fellow sufferers, one
after another, fall victims and surrendering, while
| was dexterously engaged in shaking the darts
sleeves, until one, tar more expert than the rest
and true to the mark, pierced my lett side, and In
the simplicity Of my heart l exclaimed, "the work
is done-what shall do to be saved?''
That samelyear one OF thelclergymen said he mar.
ried twenty-five couples here, and that his mar
riage fees were more than his clerical support.
Myfriend, R--n, and have been cogitating upon
these matters, and have deliberately come to the
conclusion, that, while the market has been but
scarcely supplied at any time, and the demand has
greatly increased, therefore resolved, that the d.
rectors Of the several emigrating companies do
forward Immediately to Bloomington, Iowa, fifty
and hamlet, mountain and valley, hill and dale,
wherever they may be.
But you may enquire, What kind of a town is
this that you are making all this fuss about?' II
Sc. n1 IS hos anNnch 81
though! It now contains four hotels, eighteen
stores, ice-cYeam shops, bake shOrs, groceries,
dogaries, ba-alleys, gambling shops, mechanics
shops, warehouses; public buildings. and dwellings
forms and grades from the log cabin up. Here are
now some splendid brick blocks of stores going up,
three stories and built in good order. Here. are
piles Of lumber, brick and stone in every direc-
tion-buildings Of all kinds going up-side-waks
being laid-streets being graded-brdges being
built steamboats landing-drays, wagons, and
stages crowding to the shore-streets crowded with
teams from the country, loaded with produce
steam mills gathering and saving lumber or grind
ing up the wheat-every body and every thing
moving like bee-house. All these things are not
misrepresented. Bloomington is just as sure to
grow up to city OF importance as that the mighty
west will grow to importance. Located as il is,
on this great commercial marion great western
bend OF the river that approaches towards the in
terror OF one of the richest and most extensive
countries in the word-where, one day, there will
be produce enough exported to supply city, and
goods enough sold to supply small state. Truly,
is not this city in embiyof delight to see such
younger and tender plant rapidly shooting forth
it's delicate branches ia every form, and blooming
out in all the varied hues, from the little oney-
jumpups to the grand magnolia. At the close o.
this century, page in our country's history will
tell the rest.
Respectfully yours, Iowa.
p. Selection returns give the democrats a
majority of two to one in Convention to form a
Constitution for the new State Of Iowa. State OF
health is quite good for this season Of the year
few cases Of bilious fever, and but one death by
and high water of the river, is favorable to health
The river has lately taken another rise of three
feet, and is eleven feet above low water, and within
two feet Of its highest stage this year.