Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1861-11-06
Bv the Way to Du bud II ridges
Ferries. business, See.

Nstpls IEhO euG Piihl1i OogS, 10 '~oA
Fosters line for Dubuque, and went
through in just six hours, the distance be-
ing twenty-six miles from Lancaster by
way Of the new route over Specs Ferry.
This route is nearer by three or four miles
than by way Of Dunleith. The new bridge
over Grant river slough at Potosi is per-
feet except the embankments a. the ends Of
the blidge; these are now good enough,
bat must give way unless strengthened
with timber works or rock. The road
through the island or bottom letween the
bridge and ferry is in tolerable condition,
but will require constant work to keep it
50 unless planked or thrown up and cover
cred with rock. The country and parties
interested must see to keeping up these
works, we mean the bridge and island road,
for they are assuming very high public
importance upon route which must in
crease in usefulness each year. Dubuque
must be largely interested in keeping this
route good, a heavy trade from this coun-
ty having set in towards that city, extend
ing to Lancaster, Beetown, Ellenboro', and
sections which formerly went to (falena.
We think Dubuque merchants will assist
in keeping up the roads if called upon, es-
peciaIly when they find out where Their
numerous strange customers come FROM
Specs ferry is crossed upon a good horse
boat, and is no obstacle in the way, except
fifty cents for two horses and wagon with
driver. The route from Specs ferry to
Dubuque is tolerable good. though inferior
to the roads on this side of the river.
Dubuque has scarcely recovered from
the financial checks of'57 and the take S
arising from harbor Improvements; it is
understood however that the debts due for
such improvements have been in meas
ure cancelled by the Iowa courts and by
neglect to pay interest But the financial
checks of 81 have not been repudiated, as
almost every store and dwelling in the city
bears witness. The people Of Dubuque
are alive and living npon hope, believing
that Dubuque is to be the great city Of the
north In such belief we consider
them sound, for Dubuque is surely bound
to exceed the calculations Of the livelies I
imaginations of her people. Dubuque IS
to Iowa precisely what Milwaukee is to
Wisconsin, her greatest metropolis Of mar
kets, grain, receiving houses, transport
means, store supplies DC, and also a pan
demonium Of politics and politicians, spec
ulators, daily news, shaving and banking,
and every other means to attract visitors.
Key City Hotel appears to be the favor
ite stopping place al Dubuque though there
are other Hotels of higher pretensions
Such Of the large dealers as failed to fail
during the years Of panic are able by their
solid means to stand alone, and tc be sure
Of doing so are selling for cash only. We
found John T. Hancock, formerly in trade
at Platteyile, doing heavy wholesale trade
in groceries; also saw Henry A. Wise,
who many years ago edited the paper
known as the Grant County Herald; he
carries on the law business, the next most
vexatious Of human inventions; called to
see ]. d. Merit, but he was not in his jew
elry Store on Main Street; found that work
ing bee, j. B. Dorr, out Of business, conse-
quentIy in peck Of trouble about things
was introduced to Fetitt, the wittest writer
in the country and great genius for illus
trating his fun with pencil drawings and
jack knife carvings; we mean no ohense in
saying he is homely as most editors are and
manifestly fit for nothing else. We also
met Col. Sam Bugh, formerly a gentle
man Of some considerable notoriety in Wis
consin; he is chief clerk with Surveyor
General Townsend. The many admirers
Of Sans talents will rejoice to learn that in
leaving Wisconsin lie left many things be-
hind that were worse than useless to him.
General Townsend, who fills the office
which seemed formerly to WELD such a
heavy influence in the northwest, was long
a citizen of Oshkosh, Wis. While at Wash
ington in Aplil last he was one ofthe three
hundred men out Of some ten thousand
Office seekers who volunteered to defend
the capitol, which SO pleased Old 1be
that he rendered him The choice Of any Of
fec then remaining untitled. He chose to
enter the army, but Cameron held 4 grudge
against him and refused to endorse his COM
mission, whereupoa Townsend accepted the
place Of Surveyor General. We admire
Gen. Townsend, for be is no half way man
upon public questions. lie stands up for
Fremont, and fears not to let il be known.
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