The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1860-06-09
BURLINGTON, SATURDAY, JUNE 8. 1860.
Dsvvn . Kselknk ana naeIk.


4 DoWn - Ksokuk ana naek.
al Bna1aNoFon, 9Th June, 1850.
il The letters which I shall have in the Hank n
J this summer will be devoted mainly to de.cri
tons Of Iowa towna and Iowa scenery--to di
cussions Of agricultural rcsources Of our Stat
. the statement Of facts touching the relati,
Importance Of the cities and villages in the soutl
, ern portion Of Iowa, etc, etc. If something ,
politics should sometimes BE- mentioned, Il vi
only be incidentally, my design being to state /
the readers Of the Hssk- Eye such impressions !
may receive in the course Of my travels whic
would be calculatedsto place the advantages q
i the different localities fairly before the reader
| hope l may thus be able to do something towar
giving the eastern people correct notions Of III
resources and capabilities Of our young bu
growing State.
lett Burlington on Thursday evening last, OF
the steamboat Lazerne, and designed to returu
on the next morning, but on arriving at Fl. Mad
ison discovered that had to go to Keoknk.-
Inc Luzcrnc is very good boat, and makes frs,
rate time. On board found the Sheriff Of Mari
ON county, with convict for the Penitentiary
who had lately been convicted Of manslaughter
and sentenced for five years. As he was Gem
ocrat, gave him some news, to Wit: the New
Testament, and trust the poor fellow will be pro.
| fited thereby.
was never at Fl Madison before, except to
touch at the landing. I am greatly indebted to
DIR. Shaw for ride out to tho Penitcntiary. and
all over the town. The State prison is now a
good substantial building, the convicts are gov
erned wisely and with due regard to health and
reform. In short, the discipline is such as to
commend itself to all who do not have to be gov.
erned by it, as wise and proper. Mr.. REYNOLDS,
the deputy warden, showed me around, and was
most agreeably surprised to find how smoothly
all things moved on. Mr.. Layton can we'll con-
gratulate himself in having 90 efficient and in.
teliigent deputy. There are several men in the
Penitentiary who ought not to be there. One
was sentenced for ten years by Judge Clagett, for
passing counterfeit quarter Of a dollar-his
name is Williams, believe, he is a fine old man,
and wish Gov. Kirkwood would pardon him.
Another quite intelligent looking man saw who
was i'll. His ofense was rape, the victim being
fair but frail one. The jury that sent him here,
ought to be here themselves Many of the con.
victs make curious boxes, cagca etc, during the
evenings, after work hours saw several speci.
mems Of fine workmanship indicating good deal
OF ingenuity. But as passed around the narrow
cells, felt how miserable must be the lives of
their occupants, and gladly passed out, and wish
ed for the day when, the law not being violated,
there would be no Pententiaries
Fort Madison has population Of about $500
believe tits beautiful place, beautifully sit.
nated. In riding about with DR.. Shaw, was sur
prised at the number of fine, tasefu residences in
all parts of the city. The buildings are almost
all composed of brick, unpainted, the yards in
front are often large and filed with trees and
shrubbery, the streets are clean ana well graded,
and the whole town has an appearance of thrift |
md good taste. The view from the hill back of |
,own is fine indeed. The city itself rcposes at
1our feet; beyond the Mississippi, and immcdi- |
ltesy opposite are tracts of timber, with here and
here only an opening to let in the sun; down.
wards for miles stretches the shining river, whilst
% the right may be seen broad expanse Of what |
appears to be fertile and well cultivated region.
But it was nearly time for the train, and we |
lad to return. went to the depot in Mr.. Lay |
,on's buggy behind the finest horse have seen
n the State, and which can trot his mile in less |
han three minutes without minding it at all l |
'eturn hearty thanks to both Dr. Shaw and Mr..
layton for their kindness to NE.
The ride to Keokuk was pleasant enough,
hough I was greatly annoyed at first by the
Mormon flies which swarmed about as numerous
BODY, six legs, long, narrow, SPOTTED wings, with
lntenna three times as long as themselves. The
vindward sides Of houses from Montrose to near
keokuk were covered with them, and the sun
vas reflected from millions of them which filed
he air. l believe they are perfectly harmless
'ut from Mormon flies good Lord deliver me-
hey aren't good looking-their 'fhorns' are too
ong.
The Billings House at Kcokuk is as good as
yer. Mr.. Slade Is still as fine looking and as good
atured and the clerk as well dressed and as So
liable. think Keokuk is looking up somewhat.
It all events, business appeared to be more brisk
han when was there a year ago. As all my
caders know, it contains great number of very
me business houses and good many fine resi-
ences. think it will not be long till the city
ill be able to see its way through great deal
etter than has been the case since 'the crisis of
~" So certainly do most earnestly hope, for
t Keokuk live some Of the finest and best men
nd handsomest women in the world-a fact
5hich do most solennly affirm, under the pains
nd penalties Of perjury.
The Republicans had meeting in the evening,
t their wigwam. Hon. SAM +. Miller made an
xcellent and strong speech, the first political
ddress ever heard him make but hope it will
lot by any means be the last. He is undoubted-
one of the best stumpers in the State. was
allied up, and talked awhile, but with what sue
ess this deponent saith not The meeting was
ute large and enthusiastic but not so large as
would have been had there been timely notice.
The republicans of Keokuk are wide awake.
On account Of illness l had to remain over
sunday and Monday at Fort Madison, and being
ble to ride in buggy, saw more Of the town
han before. There are many fine business houses
long Front street. do not believe there is a
more tasteful establishment of the sort in the
State than DIR. Shaw's drug store, near the Nc
'arland House. There are many other fine es-
not far off
The republicans Of Fort Madison had large
Meeting last night, which was forcibly addressed
,y Mr.. Strong Of Keokuk, and then talked to as
we'll as his poor physical condition would allow
,y one "Linkensale, noted public speakerw
80 said the bills Ossisn E. Dodge then sung
'ong which was most uproariously appiauded. 1t
was exceedingly rich, being the speeches of the
evening done up into machine poetry. He sang |
,lso another fine piece which brought down the |
house at the end Of every stanza. Long live Os-
,ian f. Dodge Of Cleveland, say l.
/ cannot close this already lengthy communi- |
cation without saving good word for the Nc |