The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-08-29
WHOLE NO. 2O2.
Correspondence Of the North Iowa Times.
A Picnic .. Fishing .. An Accident =. A
Murder.

Correspondence Of the North Iowa Times
A Picnic - Fishing - An Accident - A
Murder.
SourH BEND, Ind, Aug. 16, 1850.
Dear Col.: These latter, pleasant, sun
shiny summer days are quite treat, after
the oppressively hot term, and innumerablc
pic-nics and pleasure parties are got up in
consequence. Hardly a week passes but
some joyous, laughter. visaged party goes
out to pass the day on the shores of some
of the beautiful lakes in this vicinity
Such pleasure-seeking company made its
exodus from our city, last week, to the
beautiful chain of lakes lying west of here,
and in the neighborhood of your old home.
1t was right 'goodllc companie," compos-
ed of the youth, beauty and aristocracy of
the place; and more than one susceptible
youth was smitten with the amorous CLAN
ces of black eyes on that eventful day
Besides the bewitching blondes and bru-
nettes, the gathering was honored with the
presence of New Yorker, black walnut
lumber merchant, who has temporary
residence here. He's tall, dignified look
ing gentleman, with black, crisp hair and
whiskers, a visage the color of his planks,
spotless linen, faultless style of cloth, and
boots polished up to the highest capabilities
Of ''Mason's Challenger" he is troubled
with an abridged vision, which is remedicd
by pair of Mewhinney's best gold-bowed
pcrescopics. His distinguishing character
istics are decided antipathy to knotty
boards and naughty girls, and love Of
the art piscatorial
Our black walnut friend thought he per-
ceived signs Of good fishing in the lake
before him and accordingly sailed forth
the next day to enjoy his favorite pastime,
accompanied by a spruce young Buckeye,
and disciple of Orpheus who has been,
and yet is initiating the youth Of this place
into the mysteries of the gamut, whole
notes, half notes, quarter notes, &c. They
were loaded down with cane rods, reels,
tackle, joint rods, spring hooks and all the
other paraphanala which an amateur fish,
erman thinks necessary for pursuing his
occupation. They could not have expert
enced more favorable day for their sport.
The piercing rays of the sun were mellowed
by the interposition of friendly clouds,
recent shower had laid the dust and Just the
lightest breeze possible, cooled their cheeks,
while the contents of mystcrious-l looking,
long-necked bottle, applied by the way of
the mouth, caused them to experience
delightful sensation cf GOODNESS in the re-
gion of their digestive organs.
Arriving at the lake, they found skiff
that was once new, but now
ats sides rot ten and Shiny and dark,
From bottom, up to watermark, "
and leaked terribly, having, doubtless, seen.
much service. However, they took pos
session Of it and "piled in," singing teach
er, Buckeye, provision basket, black walnut
man, long g-necked bottle and all, and rowed
out to the fish beds, in the middle of the
lake, their ardor unabated and their hooks
baited
Rennie, very old author, says, Gang
ling requires as much enthusiasm as poetry
and as much patience as mathematics. =
This latter quality they possessed, at least,
for they fished half-a-day and three fish
was the result The black walnut man re-
marked, that such luck was truly surpris-
ing, for he had frequently known persons
to angle whole day without obtaining
even bite. Bite" is synonymous with
eating, or said to be, and no sooner was it
uttered than it reminded them of their pro-
vision basket, the contents of which, were
soon spread out on the stern seat by the
accommodating Buckeye. 1t is fact well
known to you, Col, that the weight of
three men will sink small skiff nearly to
the waters edge; but, when the weight is
combined in one particular spot, the stern,
for instance, it will be very apt to sink it
below the waters edge-at least it did in
this case; for no sooner did they find them
selves in the stern, than they found them
selves, provisions and all, in the water
the boat overturned and the Buckeye under
it. BY strong effort he was got out an
laid on the bottom of the skiff, which was
above water, and the other two, pushing it
before them, swan towards the shore. The
disciple Of Orpheus could appreciate the
songs he had so often sung :-'Jamie's on
the stormy sea-" "Tm on the waves Of the
silver lake." and "Sports and joys Of fish.
ing" After exercising their muscles, a Ia
frog, something less than fifteen minutes,
the black walnut man remarked that they
were not making much headway as the con-
tents Of the boat had left them great
ways behind, when the Buckeye intimated
that the anchor might possibly prevent them
from gong faster. Orpheus was Of the
same opinion, SO the rope was severed and
they soon drifted towards the shore. A
softshell turtle, which had taken up its posi-
ton on the bottom Of the provision basket,
eyed them obviously as they came up, and
then slipped silently into the water; two
enormous bullfrogs were summing themselves
on section of gingerbread, and as the
boat passed them, one popped off with ker.
chug, while the other sank through the
moistened 'lIoosiers' delight" with half
smothered croak, and was seen no more
| forever!
| The three worthies reached shore; but
their fishing experience is over. They have
dropped their lines, not in pheasant places,
and will let them remain. .....
The Democracy held grand ratification
meeting here, on Tuesday evening last ths
house was filled to ovehowing. The meet
ing was addressed by Hon. David Turpie
our candidate for Lieut.. Governor. He il
fluent speaker, with good address, and
expounded the principles of his party bet.
ter than we ever before heard them ht
made quite favorable impression on thu
audience, and will doubtless carry tn.
State by an overwhelming majority.
! There is quite an excitement here about
the murder of man named Pierson by
his son-n-law, Wilson. This Wilson is q
Spanish Creole, very dangerous charac.
ter, and is still at large; it is supposed that
he is secrcted in some of the brakes OF
marshes in this vicinity which afford ample
security to one who wishes to evade detec.
ton. The search for him is still being
prosecuted and if he is found, lynch law
will undoubtedly be brought into requisi-