The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-02-10
WHOLE NO. 1872.
From DesMOines.
DEsMoISEs, Jan. 80, 1864.

From DesMO1nes.
DEsMoISEs, Jan. so, 1864.
Dear Times :-Pursuing a very round
about course on my way here-it may be
that my version of matters and things,
collected under the shadow of the Capitol
Of the State Of Iowa, may be somewhat
crotchety but such as they are proceed
to lay them before you. Leaving your
busy city some three weeks Since, took
the train for Milwaukee, which place |
reached without accident; passing the time
very pleasantly while on the train, in com
pany with, conductors RcddinstCr; Sher-
win and Co. OF course time did not hang
heavily. On the contrary-way stations
never appeared nearer together than on this
last trip to Milwaukee, And then would
record my opinions of r. r. Conductors in
general. As a class they are very kind,
hearted, generous set Of men, accommo-
dating, as strict rules adopted by the man
agement, will allow them to be-and pos
sessing the faculty of pleasing the majority
of people at first sight-whch pleasure is
greatly enhanced by further acquaintance
Indeed never saw but two conductors I
did not like, and these never came west to
run train. While at Milwaukee framed
as reasonable excuse f,r visiting Chicago,
design to meet some Of my old McGregor
acquaintances. So a few hours ride brought
me late at night, to the Garden City--where
| found for a "few days." quiet good
home at the CITY," at which place one can
fare well--at no very exorbitant rates of
expense. Wishing to find friend Scott
called at his place of business and on in
quiring for him was informed that he was
sck--could not learn at the store, what his
disease was, so walked out to 93, Peoria
street, where l found ''the latch. string
out" but at the end Of it was attached the
significant words "Small Pox here :"
interpreted this as an invitation to leave,
and was not long in making my exit from
the pte,r'ses~-calling at the house of anoth-
er friend, found the same unwelcome sign
and concluded that Chicago was poor place
for making calls.
The fact is Chicago is full of that most
loathsome Of all diseases which flesh is heir
to-and the business portion of the city so
anxously cover up the facts that stranger
cannot tell where or when he may be ex-
posed. This disease will be seen to spread
to other localities than Chicago Sr1 every
person who has not been vacCinated within
the last seven years should attend at once
to this important duty. My first business
after arriving at Dubuque was to 60 to DR..
Horr to get vaccinnated, and find the mat
ter works in my system, though bear the
mar6 Of precious pdccination since child.
hood!
The trip from Dubuque to Des Moines
occupies considerable time. One day brings
you to Cedar Rapids; when You wait till
noon next day for a train to Marshatown.
Arriving there in the evening you wait till
next morning for the train to State Centre,
the terminus at present Of the Rail Road.
Taking the Stage you may arrive at Des
Moines any time from O'clock, p NJ, to
ten o'clock next morning. Very few stran-
gers are stopping here at present. The ho-
tells are nearly empty-boarding having
been put up to exhorbitant rates. The
members, with two or three exceptions,
board at private houses, and pay 81 per
week. The Governor, Speaker of the
House, and one or two others, board at the
"Savery House," where board may be 90
tained at 81, so per day, Or from $l2 to SIS
per week.
The Legislature is composed Of very in
telligent, good looking men, evidently de-
voted to the work before them. There is
very little political sparring. The demo.
cratic members are acknowledged to be men
Of fine abiles-so there IS little disposition
to attack them. Messrs. Hunt and Gil.
christ are well. They are active and valu-
able members, working for the interests of
the people, and against increasing officers
and their salaries. This is a wretched town
for Capital, but improving. Having
worked my way to this point and fairly
settled myself at the Des Moines House,
may write you again. Doc.
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