Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1848-05-17
About u Wandering Pilgrim.

We publish the following letter for the
exclusive benefit of the "Wandering Pill
grim" part Of whose peregrinations it
so graphically describes. If it prevents
him from busting his own brains out, from
pure madness and chagrin at the i'll sue
sess Of his mission, (by no means an i'm
probable catastrophe, from present indica-
tons, we shall consider ourselves fully
compensated for its publication. By the
way I'VE would thank some of our friends in
Cedar, for sketch of the pious Reverend
Professor Hsrlan's visit to their county,
particularly as to his three hours Sunday
consultation with limb of the law there,
upon the the same fruitless errand:
For the Reporter.
KSoxvILIx, MARroN County, Iowa
May LIST, l848.
.Messrs. Eiiors-I was not little sur
prised on to-day to see driving across our
public square splendid span Of horses, to
which was attached a splendid carriage. -
After making the circuit Of the square,
the horses and carriage came to stop at
the "Horse Rack" Every door was open
open did l say-nay filled with women
and children, and. the old ones stood out
side, and wondered. Some supposed that
it was runaway and Love affair, and
their astomshuent was great beyond all
discriplion-at last a person with cloak
in hand get out of the carriage; throwing
his cloak over his shoulder, he walked
with proud and lofty step into the public
house! All was i1nagination-and the en-
quiry was with every one, what great man
has arrived? Some thought that Gen.
Taylor, having read the Hawk Eeye's re-
view Of Mr.. Clay's letter, announcing him
self a candidate for the Presidency, was
about to make a tour of the State. Others
thought the ex-King Of the French had
arrived. At length one of our most cour-
ageous citizens ventured over the Square.
All shuddered for his safety-every eye
was upon him-he entered the house
where the stranger was; all wore death
like paleness-it was moment of intense
anxiety; he finally re-appeared at the door,
whereupon great shout arose; he came
back--and who do you think the stranger
was-Louis Philippe? No! Gen. Tay-
lor? Mo-! Santa Anna? No!!! 1t was
Doct. Bowen Of Iowa City! He had come
all the way out here, just for the purpose
Of learning how we do business out in
this part Of the State. He called with
great pomp and ceremony on the Clerk of
the Board Of County Commissioners, and
asked the privilege of examining the Poll
books of the late election. The books
were produced. This great man read all
the books but one--all wassright. He
read the last as follows: "James Harlin
received for the Office of Superintendent
Of Public Instruction ten votes" "Thomas
H. Benton, ]. R." received for the Office
of Superintendent of Public Instruction
sixten votes" He could understand ev-
erything but the 81. r." and that he knew
did not mean Junior, and he knew that
''Thomas H. Benton, J. R." did not mean
Thomas H. Benton, Senior. But on the
other hand he knew that ''James H. Har-
lin" meant James Harlin, and no body else.
Now if Mr.. Bowen wishes to contest the
election, he will gain nothing in this coun-
ty, for James H. Harlin received more
votes than Thomas H. Benton with the
capitals 81. R." attached. 81. Harlin"
received votes, "Harlin'' received votes,
all Of which were counted for James Har-
lin. In Red Rock township, where Har-
Ian received majority Of 80 votes, the
Judges Of election were not sworn by any
person authorized to administer an oath.
One Of the Clerks Of the election admin
istered the oath to the Judges. All Of the
election notices were up in time. Let
them contest the election and purge the
polls in this county, and Benton will have
over % majority. If the election comes
again before the people, Benton will get
100 majority in this county.
Respectfully, Yours, q