Iowa territorial gazette and advertiser. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa Territory [Iowa]) 1840-1846, 1845-10-18
'LINGToN, IOWA: SATURDAY, ooToBFR Is, 1916.

BURLIN'
For the Gazests.
Sketches about the new Purchase
Ne. 2,
Inc Lecturer C0smpolite John HAiie',
improvement - ddypiite, 4th Of J,sly cel-
ebration there--Jota b. Grav, lis im0rore.
sents- Rsnitniscence's- Price Of Claims
&c., Sc.
OSHKOSH, Sept. 1916.
The citizens Of this 'sbran new" towr
concluded they would show their public
spirit BY BY ''getting up lecture. Ac-
cordingly ! was waited upon in due form
to address them on Saturday evening at the
court house, to which solicitation | assent
ed. It. occurred to me, during the even
ing, as rather a singular coincidence in my
own history, that Just one year ago this
same night, / was addressing an audience
In one of the most ancient cities Of Eng
and (the old Roman city Of Chester) upon
the resources Of America, and that here
should be found to night, addressing lit
tie hand full Of Anglo-Americans on the
very frontier Of the civilization of the New
World! Verify thought how strange are
some Of the "sl fling scenes in my path
way Of life. At the close of my remarks
met with an old acquaintance, an early
pioneer of Lee county, who lived about a
mile and 2 half from town, and with whom
! spent the night. The next morning we
looked about the country little, and cal
led on several Of the settlers in the neigh.
borhood; as an evidence illustrative Of the
character and entefprize of our frontier
population, as well also, as exhibiting the
rapid advancement our country Is making.
l will give you an item frem the history Of
Mr.. John White with whom we dined.
Mr.. White made his claim year ago last
April; when he staked off the ground
Kishkekosh's band Of Indians were having
a 'feast dance" where his stable now
stands, consequently all around was Just as
wild and unculivated as nature made it.
Mr.. w. informed me that he will have this
year 800 bushels Of wheat, 300 of oats, 800
Of, potatoes. And a year last April, said
he, 81 had not the first rail hauled" He
has now $50 acres enclosed, together with
stables, out-houses, &c., carrying all the
appearances OF country that has been set
tied for years, rather than some Is months.
!. From Oskaloosa, ! proceeded on to Ed
dyyilie, which is situated on beautiful
plain Immediately upon the banks Of the
Des Monies. Eddyville is the former site
Of "Hardfshes" Indian villaige, it presents
. thriving appearance, the buildings being
principally frame and neatly painted, there
. 4 neat little church in the place, and l
2 fine brick warehouses in pro-
yress. Eddyville occupies one Of those
beautiful locations, occasionally met with
a Prairie country, BY which words and
descriptions are but feeble modes Of i'm
pressing the strangers mind, with any adj
squate conception Of natures matchless
works. While at z. met with our Old
friend and former fellow citizen Doct. Ross,
who will be recognized Cy many, if not
most of your readers, as one of the early
pioneers Of Burlington. The Doct. is post
master at Eddyville, and if l mistake not,
was the first Postmaster commissioned in
Iowa Cat Burlington) after the wheels Of
government began their operation. am
informed that the last 4th Of July was Gel
sbrated here in the most magnificent and
patriotic manner. The citizens Of Eddy
'ille gave free dinner, real banquet, at
which more than 500, ladies' and gentle
men Of this, and the adjoining counties, sat
Town and partook Of a most sumptuous en-
ertainrnent. The exercises Of the day, !
vas informed by gentleman from one Of
he old cities Of the east, were carried out
n a manner that would do honor to any
:ity in the nation. Grafton, music, ode,
procession and finally song and eentimen:
the festivities Of the first and de-
:idedly most glorious celebration that ever
ook place in the new purchase.
There is something, to my mind, ex-
remedy impressive and beautiful in this
lshering in of our country's natal morn,
~ hardy band Of Pioneers just come 10
make their Homes in these "unshorn fields
If nature". To see them rallying around
he stars end stripes were but as yester-
lay the war horse of Black Hawk snufled
he battle breeze. Methinks l behold
hem now; coming up to the festive board
rom all the country around gathered
rom many different lands, old men, whose
talwart arms have of;imcs shouldered the |
ide, in the hour Of peril, leading forth the
ged matrcns, young men and maidens
lishsd with the buoyancy and pigor Of
'outh all come to pour out their souls in |
patriotic devotion and to rally around the
standard Of their country. God grant that
may ever he so, aud that the day star Of
reedom shall move onward, onward in its
esistless, eotirse until its benign influ-
nice shall emancipate the world.
Just as | was about leaving Eddyyille |
which was late in the afternoon, / inex-
,ectedly met with my old friend John B.
Tray whom / had not seen before for 8 |
ears. The meeting was entirely acci-
lental, q moments conversation convinced |
ne that there was no escape from his press
ng invitation / must cross the Des
Notifies and 60 over into Kishkekosh Co.
nd spend the night with him and look at
lis farm &c. But who IS John B. Gray?
fancy yoif leaders already exclaim. It
5 a pleasure; occasionally to bring forth
uch MEN FROM their clone fetreats.n It is
itting that the hultltudes VINO notr walk
A.. 4 ...-l Fiji