The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-11-30
From q Traveller,

From . Traveller.
MANKAro, MINI, Nov II, "a.
Dear Times IL left McGregcr on the
morning of election, ola City Buss, to care
of Capt. Sherwin, conductor on the Nc
Gregor Western r. R., and under some
difficulties, such as wet wood, icy track and
freight cars attached, we assembled the grade
to Monona and Postvilc, and thence by
stage to Clermont and West Union.
found all West Union counting Lincoln
votes except "QUINcY" of the United States
Hotel, who is always at his post to care for
the weary. After good supper, bed and
break fast, in severe snow storm left for
Fredericksburgh, Nashua and st. Charles
All of these, but the latter place. are towns
similar to North McGregor, the Elevator,
RUBLE's new Warehouse, and Capt. SHER
WINS "Kears" excepted. St. Charles, or
Charles City as it is now called, has
lively and healthy appearance "a good
hotel, good landlord, good Touring mill,
good saw MILL. good stores, and the best
Court House in the State Court was in
session, and Judge WILLIAMS presiding
He gets his court together early and works
them late, thereby saving time and expense
for them and himself The Judge is able
and impartial as man, social, intelligent
| and interesting; but politically-Ah
we'll, I, or somebody else, must be insane
But business done, must away to Mime
sofa, an Indian name, meaning many Lakes
of clear water. 1t being good sleighing,
my friend w. H. Coffiu, of ST. Charles,
with his little Norgans. nice cutter, robes
and jngling bells, took me as far as Albert
Lea, Mimi, passing through Floyd City,
Usage, Mitchell, st. Ansgar, Shellrock, &c.
Since the inflated times of SO, and crash of
81, | mark but little change 10 these places,
I but ALBERT LEA is lively place of several
hundred inhabitants unlike many of our
western towns, it has never experienced
reverse. l was told that one store, Frank
Halls, was doing business of over $780,
600 year The place is located at the
head Of beautiful lake, miles long and
8 miles wide. had anticipated days
sporting on this lake fishing, and shooting
wild geese, brant, ducks, &C., but old
winter had stole march on me; the lake
was frozen over and all the game gone to
Dixie. This place is the residence Of our
friend John Ruble, brother OF Henry of
McGregor John has the finest farm and
farm house, and the best little wife have
seen in Minnesota. By pioneering" and
perseverance, the middle age of life finds
them in affluencc and comfort Industry
rewarded. My stay with them was short
but pleasant, and full Of incidents that will
not be forgotten. ..
From Albert Lea to Winnebago City,
passed over vast uuinhabited prairies. So
far apart are the little settlements that one
often imagines himself beyond the borders
of civilization. Winnebago City is one Of
those little towns that were nearly or quite
scared to death during the Indian raid of
90, and for time was entirely depopu-
lated. A fort was built here by the Gov
eminent and occupied by soldiers during
the winter Of '62 and SO. During the past
year the Government has opened Land
Office at this place for the purpose Of dis
posing of lands upon the Homestead plan,
which is something like this "a settler at
the Office declares his intentions and pays
about SIS, and takes a claim upon sec
ton, settles upon it and if he remains on 1t
5 years, it is his without. further expense.
This has induced thousands Of men oil
small means to migrate from Wis, Ill. and
other states, many of them crossing at Nc
Gregor, with their covered wagons, the
past summer. Timber scarce, streams low
no saw mills running, lumber impossible
to get and winter at hand, has compelled
many Of these people to dig holes in tn.
ground and, like wolves, burrow up with
: their families; the consequence must be
much suffering during the winter. Ou1
homes Of comfort little know the hardships
, and prigations Of pioneers and early set
4
t tiers. .. .-
e Mankato is town Of promise, located q
e the great bend in the Minnesota river, abou
y 100 miles above st. Paul it is city abou
Q the size of McGregor and in some respects
}; like it. The people here are out every
!. morning at o'clock looking for the car
il from different points, st. Paul, Winona
d McGregor and Cedar Rapids, and they nee'
Q r. r. much. learn that there is nov
p in store at this place 100000 bushels 0
r old wheat and no way to get it to market
St. Paul and Mankato are rivals, but with
0 out doubt Mankato viii always be the mos
d important town on the Minnesota River
Y Twas at this place where the 3s Siou