The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-01-23
Bradfol d Correspondence.


Dear Times Since my last, several
events Of local and national Importance have
cngrosScd the attention of the public here
The Masonic School Of Instruction brought
several strangers to town, and during the
week gave our village an unusually lively
appearance. Delegates were present from
New Oregon, Cedar Falls, st. Charles,
Usage, and other North Iowa cities. Prof
Z. A. Guilbert, Of Dubuque, favored the
public with an interesting address upon the
subj ct Of Masonry, in the course Of which
he said that if the Union was saved in the
present sri.sis. it would be through the in
fiuence Of Masonry. Meaning, suppose,
that the influence Of he mystic brother
hood in the North and South, would bring
about that result.
On the 9th ult., the Masons Of Wavcr.
ly and Bradford, met at Waverly and form
ally dedicated Masonic Hail. Tables were
spread with all the luxuries If the season.
and the happy crowd enjoyed ''feast of
SOUL" truly pleasing to beholl.
The holidays were duly observed by all
the people hcre, and the way the turkies
and oysters have disappeared for the past
three weeks, is a caution to epicures. The
New Years Ball, at the Bronson House,
was a grand affair. There were only 50
couple on the floor. Ebe. Wright and
Sawyer of St. Charles City, with twenty
couple beside, were sample of the die
cations from abroad you can Judge of the
time we had. 1t seemed as if the whole
dancing community from the State Line to
Cedar Falls had joined with us in the gale
ties of New Years. McGrcgor was repre-
sented too, and were it not for fear of rails
ing "a muss i'll the family" We could tale
unfold that would make your hair stand on
end, but we withhold the name, for We do
not design to become bre,oer of trouble.
Let it suffice to say, that your McGregor
friend ''went in lemons and got-squeezed'
- to his satisfaction!
Business on the Cedar is good, and the
prospects bright. Our farmers are sending
off large amounts Of Wheat and Pork, and
are thereby enabled to pay their debts and
look the world in the face once more with
out wincing. One of our merchants ship
ped II tons of pork to Milwaukee, last
week. The Cedar Valley is hard to beat
on pork, Or anything else!
Last week, j. I. Strickland, Esq, orc
of the most prominent farmers in an adjoin.
ing township, committed suicide by taking
strychnine. He had been in the habit of
indulging somewhat freely in ardent spirits,
and some weeks since, while at McGregor,
got on spree aud spent tho proceeds of
load of wheat. Upon his return he in
formed his wife that if he ever got on anoth-
er such spree he would surely kill himself,
for he did not wish to live and be DRUNK
ARD. Last week he had been to McGregor
with load Of pork and wheat for a neigh
Dor, and the Demon of the black bottle con-
quered him again, and he sought relief in
death. A better hearted man than Strick-
land, never lived; he ltaves a family to
mourn his loss-a loss, which all the wealth
of all the rum-makers in christendom could
not repair! Comment is needless.
The political checker board looks curious
enough just now. have watched with
anxiety the course Of events, and conclu'e
that it will after all prove to be sort Of u
'.Bxitety. bat,lety squirt
'.Nobody killed, aud nobody hurt"
At this distance from the "seat Of war;"
and the telegraph wires, ! am not prepared
| to say much on the subject, and dismiss
it here, in the hope that Mr.. Buchanan will
b. firm with the seceders, and if they shall
take liberties with national property, let
Maj. Anderson be permitted to blow them
up.
The Cedar Falls and Minnesota Railroad
Company, are now completing the survey
from Bradford to Waverly and st. Charles.
This road is under contract, to be complet-
I'd through this county next year. The
cars will BE- within ,hirty-tive miles Of us
in few days. Hurrah for 1.-The good tine
com;ng" Yours, finally,
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