The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1863-02-18
Correspondence.
WEST UNION, Feb. 10Th 1868.

the LINES reminds me that you "Stil live, "
which, to you, must certainly be pleas.
ant reflection. The avidity with which
everybody grasps at war news, and the
vast number Of war correspondents, makes
an otherwise interesting letter from quiet
village located in loyal State "bore." and
the only way to bring it into notice is to
say something very hard about the Ad-
ministration, or something very soft, and
then keep clear Of the detectives" and
drug store politicians till the receipt of an.
other battle.
The advance in wheat and pork has made
the recently beclouded visages Of our far
mers beam with rays Of sunshine once more.
McGrcgor has good reason for ''feeling her
oats" and may well be proud Of herself -
Our farmers are fast paying off old scores
as well as their taxes and you know when
farmers meet their liabilities, everybody
else can do the same, as they are the pill.
lars Of strength to the commercial temple
Ask man what he can 90 for an old
account, and he will say"I am going to
McGreg"r next week :" which is sa,isfacto-
ry, for it is we'll known that he is sure to
come back with the green backs.' A
man goes there with bis load knowing that
he is to get the highest market price for it
and full weight, for there is now no comb
nation, but lively competition, and it is gen-
orally understood that there is no light fin
gering about the city scales. McGregor is
the Bethlehem of Northern Iowa.
People take little heed Of the depreciation
in green backs, for as long as they are
legal tender they consider it all right. But
when they come to purchase neccssaries
for their families, then there is drawing
ir Of the breath; they little think that as
currency goes down, everything else goes
up.
1t is noticeable fact that there is con-
tinual drain on the substance Of the far
mers by extra taxes, licenses, and stamp
duties. 1t almost invariably comes out Of
the farmers. In taking his produce to
market, he finds his tavern bill has incrcas-
ed without extra fare. If bold enough to
enquire the reason, he is informed that there
is license to be paid for by somebody,
called ''intcrnal revenue" And then man
is limited to certain quantity Of hogs, or
pay extra; and if disposed to kill beef or
so, in order to pay the shoemaker for mend.
ing his childrcn's. shoes, and the black.
smith Cor repairing his reaper, and the Doc
tor for saving the life of his wife, he has
the internal revenue collector before him
and must hold up his right hand and swear.
And then when the day of settlement comes,
and there is lack of pictures" and the
balance is to be settled by note, i: isn't
worth an oyster shell without a stamp, and
more than that, il is felony not t. stick one
on-so strict is the law relating to internal
revenue
The "chcck" business is about played
out here, as many Of the farmers felt dis
posed to take my advice and refuse them,
since the McGregor script could be obtained.
1t goes very much against the grain, how.
ever, with some, as they will be Obliged to
deposi. something for what they issue as
money, and nothing can be gained with
that transaction as with the paste. board
currency. McGregor paper is par, ard
much sought for.
While l write, our ''patriots" are making
up pony purse" to purchase ammunition
for "Grosv.nor's battery in anticipation
of the news via McGregor, to be received
this evening, that vicksburg is taken
What they build their hopes on | am not
ADVISED, and if it shouldn't happen to he
taken, what a devil of a fix they would be
in. Everything is possible, however, and
if that strong hold has fallen Ivy the pow.
ers Of northern arms, the country will or
once during the war have good cause for
rejoicing.
Capt. Ainswor.h Of the 9Th cavalry. and
a portion Of his company are home on fur
loughs to see their friends, mothers, wives,
babies, and swccthearts before going to the
slaughter, and their appearance causes
quite sensation in town, for it is a rarity
to see men on the streets. al. H." (Cap.
tain, I mean,) looks just as smiling as ever,
with the very same gait, and the identical
"drab" that he wore as Senator. The
strangest thing in all the annals of this war.
however, is the fact that he hasn't shout
der-strap to his name! He ought to be
sent to Fort Lafayette for treason. .
Lieut. Rickel of tie same company has
astc nished everybody and upset the abol-
tionists by coming home an out and out
Democrat! Who'd have "thunk" P
No one who saw him when he left here a
few weeks ago. He then turned cold
on every man that didn't swallow
a niger without mustard, and even got up
a GOODNESS towards me, because I cut ''old
Honesty's" acquaintance. But it's all
right with him now. A great many get
their eyes open after soldering q while.
There has been half dozen assertions
from Capt Follet's company of the 3sth,
some of whom understand have reached
home. This company was raised in and
about Elgin-the strongest scented aboli.
ton town in the county. Capt. Follett, I
am happy to say, has nothing but the pure
anglo Saxon in his veins, and is for the
Union and the Constitution-an exception
among the Eighties.
Having retired to private life for a few