The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1859-01-19

Correspondsnos.
Council BLurfs, Iowa.
January end. 1881
M. Editor The Times" 10 re-
ceived regularly and perused with in
terest Twas much surprised to hear
of the decease Of the estimable founder
Of your thriving town. In him, north
ern Iowa has lost true friend, and
Nc Grsgor citizen, whom it will be
hard to replace. In commencing the
New Year, it becomes tie duty of sv-
cry man TO take retrospective view.
that BY the experience Of the past. he
may be enabled TO shun the shoals and
quicksands of the future. The year
has been an evcntful one, to the west
more especially-and the picture is GER
tainly not a bright one-but the future
looms up before us. inviting US to for
get the past, and live for the future
only.
The "holidays" passed off very
quietly, and the good people Of Council
Bluffs, are now moving on in the seven
tenor Of their way" The late railroad
Convention (?) was quite slimiy at
tended, and composed mostly of disap-
pointed Office. seekers with their atten-
dant satellites. The "Press" of Iowa
was loudly denounced, and these soviors
finally came to the conclusion "that
Pottawsttamie county, with her three
newspapers, is without an organ express
sing the views Of the people," The
minority were we'll represented in that
convention. The Miss. & Mo. River
Railroad Company. have treated tho
people of the "slope" in such manner,
that confidence in their integrity has
nearly vanished, and Railroad connec-
ton v;a of the Missouri valley, is now
being agitated. The St. Joseph & Coun-
Gil Bluffs Railroad, is already partly
under contract, and before the peo-
pie of Chicago and Davenport are aware
Of it. the trade of the upper Missouri
will have passed from their hands: and
St. Louis will secure the trade, which
nature destined should belong to the
"city Of the Lakes" Gold news,
comes in thicker and faster. and every
arrival from the mines, but tends to
strengthen the conviction that the east
ern slope of the Rocky Mountains is rich
in deposits of the yellow ore." Yes
terday your correspondent saw an in
stallment of $500 just from tho mines
by letter. 1t was Of very fine quality
and worth $50 per ounce. I presume
your readers have already learned, that
a delegate has been sent to Washington
from the mines: also delegate has
been sent to the Kansas Legislature, but
the gentleman's journey was fruitless
one, as the mines are now ascertained
to be located in Nebraska instead Of
Kansas-or at least the mouth of Cherry
Greek is.-There is report in circula-
ton here, that new discovery of Gold
has been made within 100 miles of
Fort Kearney, and that it is found in
pieces as large as buck shot; but l
csnnnt vs,,,,l. fs....L..4~...L sf;4 -Alse~
dy the Gold fever is raging to a fear
ful extent, and few are so insane as to
think of starting out across the plains in
mid-winter. If the weather should
prove favorable, they will probably make
the trip, by taking plenty of feed foE
their teams. -- -s
Auroria seems to be the main place
of the mines. 1t is about forty days
old and already contains over hundred
buildings-or cabins. Timber and
game are plenty in the mines and fresh
venison and buffalo steak are no luxu~
ries. Flour at Auroria is worth $50 per
100 pounds, sugar, coffee and saleratus
35 cents per pound, whiskey, Sc per
gallon. The general health is good,
and every one seems to be contented
with the prospect of making fortune
as soon as the weather will permit them
to pitch in The few who are work
ing the mines are making from 8 to 30
cents to the pan of dirt.
1t is estimated that there are now
over one thousand men in the mines
and before another year shall have rolled
around. they will probably be counted
by tens Of thousands. The solemn still
ness of the wilderness, will give place
to the laborious hum of civilization, and
the glens and 'sierras' of the Rocky
Range, will be teaming with animated
life, all eager to obtain supply of the
yellow metal.
More anon, HIAW ATHA.
O-~N~