The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-07-02
McGREGOR IOWA, WEDNESDAY JULY g. 1862
Correspondence.
CHICAGO, June 10Th, 1862.

Correspondence.
CHICAGO, June 10Th, 1852.
DEAR TINES
Business requiring my presence in Chi
cago, have devoted the past week TO the
study Of natural history, genus, elephant,
and as my researches have proved some
what interesting, Ito myself) desire for
the benefit of science to make them known
to the world. My studies were not con.
Quoted alonc,-a large party from Balti-
more and Pittsburg were fellow.students,
and will relate their discoveries and ex.
periences first.
At the depot they were met by deputa-
ton of the city council escorted to the
fremont House, and formally presented
with the "freedom Of the city" In the
east, this would consist in your entertain.
er's placing at your disposal his goods
and chattles," including his household
gods and q dozen or more wives, which
would not be Objectionable, particularly if
they were young and good looking. Upon
inquiring in the proper place found what
is here termed the freedom of the city," is
a simple affair, and may be obtained Of any
public officer "licensed to retail spirituous
liquors in small quantities." and usually
taken-"in horn"
Later in the day there was grand
elbow out" at the Board of Trade rooms,
where speeches were made, &C. One of
the speakers-a Baltimorean - said, "if
Chicago is yet in its infancy, it must have
been born like Richard the Third, with
teeth, for there was an immense amount of
grinding done (which II steadfastly be-
lieve." Another, railroad man, had a
carefully prepared speech written for the
occasion, but somehow he couldn't read it.
After several break downs he "fell back in
good order" as follows: "Well, gentlemen,
if can't make speech, III make good
time; )" and sat down.
There is one popularity here, I have
never seen noticed by any of your cor
respondents-the entire absence of water.
This may appear strange, but nevertheless
assert its entire truthfulness, and am pre-
pared to maintain it. The hydrants fur
nish semi-Auid substance, composed Of
bilge water, decomposed fish, and defunct
rats reduced to powder, which is palmed
upon strangers as the genuine Aqua. Pura,
and imbibed by citizens when largely dilut-
ed with brandy. The people never wash !;
gentlemen shave daily, and ladies paint.
For purposes of navigation the river is
filled with composition resembling coal
tar and machine oil, which undoubtedly is
preferable to water.
A friend Of mine, Il know he was a
friend by his taking cigar and three
drinks Of lager at my expense, "a sea. far.
ing man who worthily flls high Office in
our merchant marine; being no less than
commander in chief Of the "Ajax," carry.
ing long brass whistle and two men, in
vited me to accompany him in a voyage Of
exploration. Emba, king at Clark Street
bridge without accident, we steamed gal.
lantly down the river. At Rush Street
barricade was discovered in the shape of a
substantial iron bridge but nothing daunt-
ed, reef was taken in the stovepipe, the
smoke stack lowered and we dashed thro'
without the loss Of man.
Dear Mr. TINES, were you ever sea sick?
Did you ever
go down to the sea In ships,
When every mad wave browns the moon,
Or plays . OFT the tempest's tuns!'
No well, take my advice and don't 90
for to do it. Don't grieve your kind pari
ent's hearts by any such rash experiments
Finally, never 60 pleasure riding on a tug
during storm.
have witnessed some ground and lofty
tumbling in my day, but the performances
of the Ajax exceeded all. Sometimes we
were above water, oftener beneath; once
thought we were bound for China by the
short route; but the black thing gave a
snort, plunge, and came to the surface
again. 1t was the DEVILS own dance and
the music not to be recommended.
By-and-by got sick-oh Lord so sick !;
proposed to sell myself for ten cents Con-
federate scrip, and found no buyers. The
only consolation l received was from the
| cook who told me to stake courage, the
worst was to come! And it did come
| threw up weeks board Of the value of
nine dollars, and think I recognized some
Of Durham's ham, eaten three weeks ago.
Ny opinion is that if the cussed tug had
gone OH should have vomited up my boots,
an unusually strong pair. Thanks to Prov
idence and the man who made them, I was
spared that afliction.
"Now safely moored, my perils Ger" I
spend my time in eating and contemplation
on shore-principally the former occupa-
ton. Should my credit hold out, hope in
time to regain the fifty pounds avordupois,
sacrificed to Neptune.
In affection, Yours Truly,
Doors.
W Among the sick and wounded left
at Jefferson Barracks, by the steamer D.