The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-11-21
TEE STEAM FERRY PACK
ALEX. MGREGOR,

7 This elegant boat reached her wharf,
at M'GREooR, foot of Main street, on
Thursday, Nov. IS, 1856. Her arrival
had been expected some days indeed +,
she was purchased months ago, but owing
to the low stage Of water she was un-
able to get over the rapids at Keokuk.
Her enterprising owner, the gentleman
whose name she bears, early on Friday
morning gave notice to our citizens and
those of Prairie du Chen, ofhis intention
to make a trial trip to Clayton City, l2
miles below us. General invitations were
extended to the Badgers and Hawkeyes
to participate in the pleasures of the ex-
cursion. 1t was our design "to make
the voyage" personally, but business
prevented. The Times was represented,
however, in the person of A. J. FELT,
Esq, and to him we are indebted for a
report of the incidents that enlivened the
trip. G. F. REM1cK, Esq, has also IA
yored us with an account of the happy
voyage. Mr.. RS communication will
be found in another column. To Mr..
FELT the public are indebted for the fol-
lowing notes of t-..
THE EXCURSION. ~
When it was announced that Steam
boat would soon run for the express pur-
pose of conveying passengers between
the towns of M'Gregor and Prairie du
Chen, the hearts Of our citizens beat
high with antieipations of prosperous
future. Those hopes have been realized.
and we may well rejoice at the success
which has crowned the efforts Of one of
our most enterprising citizens.
On Friday morning, (Nov. IA, the in
habitants Of M'Gregor were invited to
participate in the pleasures of an excur-
sion upon the New Steam Packet ALEX.
MGREGoR. The boat, by the way, is a
model of itself, and deserves more than a
passing notice. 1t is entirely new, hav
ing been built the present season at Gin
cinnati, at cost of $4,000. 1t is fur
nished with powerful double engine, and
is capable of 800 tons burthen. It's cabin
is pleasant and capacious, and when fur
nished will compare favorably with the
Brooklyn or Fulton lines.
At IL A. NJ. large delegation of our
citizens with their families were on board,
and for the first time the packet of the
Milwaukee and Mississippi, and the NJ.
Oregon, st. Peters and Missouri River
Railroad left the Iowa side with its cargo
Of living freight for the Wisconsin shore.
Amid deafening cheers from the shore
and the boat, the NJ GREGoR "walked the
waters to Prairie du Chen. Here, in
anxious waiting, was Col. French. Of the
Granite House, with fine delegation of
the citizens headed by the Band. The
trip to Clayton City was lively and pleas
ant beyond description. A rich feast Of
the good things of earth was served up in
modern style, in the cabin. The company
are under obligations to H. D. Evans, H.
H. Wilkerson, Mr.. Harvey, Mr.. Durand,
and others whose names are not known to
us, for liberal furnishing of those mate
rial comforts which produce, if not a
feast of reason" an unmistakable flow
of SOUL"
The presence of the ladies may they
ever be with us added much to the inter-
est of the occasion, and the monotony of
the rugged bluffs and rolling waves with
out, was agreeably broken by the sight of
blooming checks and bewitching smiles
within. The excellent Band, under the
direction of our townsman, Mr.. Pace. dis
coursed sweet music and lent fresh pleas
ure to the entertainment. The gallant
Col. French, who appears perfectly at
home among the fair, chow we envy him,
formed party in the cabin, and the mer-
ry dance commenced to. the strains of de-
licious music. For moment We forgot
that we were but a "looker on in Venice"
"a passenger on the Upper Mississippi,
and our mind reverted to the festive
scenes of life's early morn, when the per-
plexities of business did not forbid the en-
! joyment of the giddy dance.
We noticed that some of our usually
staid bachelor and literary friends enjoy
ed the gala amazingly, and we trust to be
pardoned for expressing the hope that
this excursion may not only prove the
beginning Of union between Iowa and
Wisconsin, but that it will break the ice
that encloses the hearts of those "book-
worms" and thus render it "union OF
hearts and union of hands,
Our arrival at Clayton was greeted with
a hearty welcome. Owing to the lateness