Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1857-02-13
Prom The shelbyvil 10 Banner.
from Rev. y. w. saliva IN.

MuscATrSE, Iowa, Jan. IL, '57.
Mn. EDrToR We have winter in the
true acceptation Of that term. 1t commen-
ced early in the season, and has kept on
with but little variation to this date and
bids fair 10 continue its icy grasp until
Spring shall come and claim her right 10
reign. Although the winter here have
more cold weather than In Indiana, ye.
from its uniformity It is decidedly much
more healthy, the atmosphere being dry,
pure. and bracing TO the system.
Tho thermometer has averaged from
zero down to s degrees One morning
the mercury stood at 10 degrees. The
cold winds are very piercing, and out on
the praries are very severe, and IL the
traveller should not chance to be well bun
died up, he Is in great danger Of falling
into that ''slecp which knows no waking
Quite q number OF persons, and in some
instances whole families have frozen to
death this winter not far from this vicini-
ty. could give several cases-let one
suffice. A Mr.. and Mrs. Wade aud child,
with young lady in company, went o
few miles on visit to friend in sleigh,
and were lost on their return. Becoming
bewildered on the prairie, the driving
winds covering the road with snow, they
knew not what direction to take. He lef
the sleigh and started to find the road, the
family awaiting his return-but alas ! they
waited in vain-he never retunrned-nol
did any Of the four live to reach their des,
tination. They were found the next day
frozen to death, and what was strange
within few rods Of their dwelling Mr.
Wade lay on the snow near the sleigh
with his arms extended Mrs. Wade sa
upright with her eyes cast down upon hel
child, clasping it to her bosom-the youns
lady near by. Several children are left tc
mourn the untimely death Of these pa
rents. That house became truly the
house of mourning.
AS general thing the cold weather here
seems wholly disregarded-the city about
the noon of the day presents most lively
scenes of hustle and activity in business
The ladies are out with their elastic steJ
and rosy cheeks. Pedestrians Of all sort
are seen going it with rush, while sleds
sleighs, wagons and drays, almost blocl
up the streets at times. There is one clas
Of walking things who venture out o
doors sometimes that fare very hard il
this frosted atmosphere-they are tn,
hairy-faced gentry. met one who's,
mouth was froze completely up-h'
couldn't spit, he couldn't talk, until hi
mouth was thawed open.
You are aware that Iowa is blessed will
a prohibitory liquor lava sensible an,
wise. high-minded, virtuous and honora
BILE bench of Supreme Judges, who de
clare the law Constitutional, and Legis
lature that say the law shall stand, al
though there have been strong effort
made by the democrats of the Jno. 1
Robinson and Willard stamp to repeal tn
law, but they have not succeeded.
Every country has its peculiar customs
and and so has this. Some / like, an
some don't. They have q custom her
$ of taking people by surprise, and especial
ly Ministers; not, presume, out Of an
disrespectto this class of men, for neve
knew community manifest more respee
for religion and her institutions than thi
one. We, that is, and family, fell viz
Tins not long since to this custom of bt
ing taken by surprise.
A dray stopped at the gate with fin
parlor-styoe, brought right in, put up wit
out ceremony-I did not order it-wher
did it come from ?-"La me-" says Mr.
!, s., "who sent them sacks Of four?-loo
here whats in these baskets?-these al
splendid hams !"-"Pa, amt that bi
turkey!-help here with this basket, I b
lieve it is coffee and sugar!-did you sc
those brethren take that splendidly finisf
ed lounge into the parlor!-look at thi
y pile of bundles of dresses, shaws, hand
kerchiefs, table-clothes, muslins, &c.
take care, don't upset that plate-se
there is a bunch of bank bills weighe
: down. by several gold pieces!-astonisf
: ing!"-all this our's?-yes, unexpected
!, our's!-the whole amounting to upward
= of 5000.
That is what is called here "surpris
party" Now, Mr.. Editor, you might |
: surprised" if you were to come out her
Q for Editors are highly esteemed here, e:
II pecially Republican Editors"