The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-02-20
THE PROSPECT.


melting beneath the mild influence of ap-
preaching Spring. A few days and the
"bridge Of ice" that spans the Mississip-
pi, will be vending its way Southwark.
The indications are quite favorable to the
early opening Of navigation, and the spring
trade. The business prospects of Nc
Gregor were never better than at present.
Our Merchants are making extensive
preparations for the rich harvest that
awaits them. Large, well built and COM
modious ware-rooms are being completed,
in readiness for the tons of merchandise
of every variety that will find market
here at the dawn Of Spring.
The completion of the Milwaukee and
Mississippi R. R. will give new impetus
to our trade, and will add an hundred fold
to our already numerous advantages
The freight which has hitherto reached us
by Steamer alone, will now form the bur-
den of the freight trains" arriving daily
from Milwaukee and New York. Nor
chandise will reach us not only more easily
and rapidly, but the cost of transporta.
ton will be diminished at least one half
Goods shipped from Liverpool or New
York, will arrive at Nc Gregor, with bu,
trifle more freight than at Chicago o,
Milwaukee; consequently both foreign
and domestic goods can be sold as chear
at M'GREGoR as in either of those towns.
We venture the prediction, that more
goods will be sold here within five years
and at as reasonable figures, as at any city
on the upper Mississippi. If the mer-
chants and traders of Northern Iowa, and
Minnesota are alive to their true interest,
our prediction cannot prove false. The
completion of the NJ. & NJ. R. R., con-
meets us directly with the Eastern market,
and while it opens the doors Of commerce,
will bring us swarms of emigrants, to fill
the vacancies on our farms and in our
work shops. Men of capital who are
tired of the dry routine Of old fogyism in
New England, will be here with the solid
''rocks" ready to invest capital in town
that gives evidence Of prosperity and en-
terprise. The hardy mechanic and archi-
tect will leave the grass grown streets and
"dollar a day. of the Puritans and seek
a home, where his labor is needed and
paid for without stint. Our population
has been rapidly and constantly increas-
ing for the past year, and we have every
reason to suppose that the approaching
season will witness an increase unparallel-
cd in wealth and numbers. @.
Our facilities for buying and importing
goods will not be the only advantages
gained by the completion of this road
McGregor will at once become the market
for the thrifty farmers that are tilling the
productive soil from the prairies of Chcka-
saw, Bremen and Mitchell. to the valley
of Root River, and the plains of Mime
sofa. Produce, which to certain ex-
tent, has hitherto sought other channels
will now find ready market here. Our
demands are greater, a larger amount is
needed to supply the wants of rapidly
growing city, and the surplus which is
to supply the eastern demand, will come
to our store-houses, be bought by our
merchants and shipped at our wharves.-
The imports and exports of McGregor,
during the ensuing season, will compare
favorably with any city upon the River
Farmers Of Northern Iowa and Minnesota,
who have heretofore been compelled to
seek other markets, will find here the agents
Of the myriad host at the seaboard
knocking at our doors and demanding our
produce. If eastern prices are paid them
for their grain, and Eastern prices for our
in return, and such will be
the case, this must become the great Ora
nary, where the farmer will deposite his
golden harvest and where the millions
Of the City and town will look for sup
plies.
The completion Of the McGregor &
St. Peters R. r., will open new avenue
Of trade. 1t will be under contract and
the grading commenced as soon as practi-
cable. The future is pregnent with bril-
liant results for McGregor. The Spring
Of 81 will find us but just budding into
l:fe as Western City. but with all the
energy Of youth, the strength of manhood
and the benefits ofexample, our prospects
ire fair indeed. With all the natural ad
rantages possible, and wealth to improve
hem, and backed by country capable of
the demands of an Empire,
'ur future must be one of growing and
continued prosperity. Let us show bv
,ur acts, that we are ready to meet snd