The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-07-11
Independence Day.

Independence Day.
If reports are true, and we do not doubt
them, ali North Iowa was excessively jubi-
Ian: on the natal day of Freedom. Almost
every village hereabouts had Fourth of
its own, and, Of course, everybody was
happy. The Excursion from this place to
Galena, with that model officer and gentle
man, Capt. HuRD, OF the Northern Belle,
was participated in by about fifty persons,
and each Of them credits the trip with all
they anticipated. One of the party has
kindly furnished us with an account of the
voyage for publication; it will be read with
interest.
Some of our citizens went trout fishing,
and had "luck." Some attended the cclc-
bration of the !. o. O. F., at Garnavillo,
and splendid time is reported Rev. Mr..
Dennis, of Dubuque, gave the Order fine
grafton "the best dinner in the world"
is claimed to have been discussed there
The company was large and patriotic, and
all went merry.
The largest portion of the McGregor clan
Joined in a regular celebration" The
Brass Band from Prairie du Chen was en-
gagged, the town was well awakened by soul
inspiring airs as the band travelled our
principal streets; procession was then
formed and marched to the lower coulee.-
"Uncle Isaac" white-haired Methodist
preacher, as full of patriotic fire as he is
of religious fervor and genuine integrity,
invoked the divine blessing. John T.
Stoneman, Esq, read the immortal Decla-
ration, and Hon. Reuben Noble gave us
the grafton. Mr.. Noble is a good speaker,
and a sensible man. He INDUCES in no
flummery, such as often distinguishes parti-
sans, but proceeded to give his large and
attentive audience a regular-built Union
speech. His illusions to the Compromise
measures of 1850, and Gnferentially) to
the necessity there may be for future COM
promises in order to settle conflicts of
opinion now disturbing the political ele-
ments, was well-timed and periodically cx-
pressed. Judge Wanzer made a few re-
marks Of an amusing character, and the
procession took up the march for the city,
where refreshments were provided. Cam
mons and fire crackers furnished an abund.
ancc of noise, and Ball in the evening,
at the McGregor House, wound up the pro-
ceedings.
The evening before the Fourth there
was some screnading done up street, and
we take pleasure in acknowledging the ex-
tension Of the awakening favor to our own
domicil. The leader of the "Chnesc Band"
deserves medal for the skill displayed in
calling the "solos," though we thought it
was noticeable that when the order for a
"solo on the Elixir was issued, every man
of the party regarded himself as specially
addressed, and the tune was played with
spirit by united band!
1t would not be proper to omit notice of
little Notification that took place in one Of
the billiard saloons. 1t might have been
observed quite early in the day that party
of Is or 90 of our most orderly citizens
had resolved on a celebration of their own,
and in the progress of the exercises, it was
plainly discernable that Longworth's Ca
tawba was getting the worst of it. After
the utter humiliation of this sparkling
enemy, march to the McGregor House
dining hall was ordered, and the compa ny
withdrew not having any flags or devices
to indicate the sentiments of the procession,
draft was made at Thompson's Office on
the chairs, blocks, striped poles, and other
furniture appertains to his barber Gus en-
ployment. Preceded then, by gentle
man with remarkably brief hat brim, and
a good supply of humor, the party pro-
ceeded to dinner. Toasts and Catawba
were drank, speeches were maze, the excel
lent viands were appropriated, and an ad-
journment effected to a saloon. A little
familiarity with an old country gentleman
promised at one time to lead to general
"muss," but proper explanations and apol-
ogics to the old man and his friends cured
all and the il-feeling subsidized. There was
no man in that crowd who would have de-
liberately injured any one; they were only
having lively Fourth Of July. An anus
ing story, is told, of what two little boys
said about their fathers affectionatc beha-
vior to stranger, but the character of the
two Gathers in question forbids belief Of
the report.
Take it altogether, McGregor had about
as much snap mot Schnaps) on that day as
we ever saw enjoyed by any place in the
West.