The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-02-17
Core esp0ndence Of the N. I. Times.

Core espOndence of the N. 1. Times.
Eds. Times: We found the Mississippi
river, about the middle of December, ice
and water, the middle only being frozen.
The crossing by water was made in small
boats, and drawn by men over the ice in
boats on rollers.
McGREGoR is situated on the western
bank Of the river, opposite Pr. du CHEN,
and looks, from the landing, and as you
pass up Main street like large city, so
long, compact, and busy is it. AS one
looks down upon the street from the ex-
treme upper end, it has the appearance of
of a Catholic cross, from the buildings ex.
tending out upon either side around the
base Of the bluffs. believe there are two
or three other streets, and people enough
and children enough to support four or five
good schools. Notwithstanding the pecul-
lar shape Of the town, it is certainly a
thriving business place. The principal
product seems to be Pork. From every
road leading into the country, from early
dawn till after dark (and all night for aught
We know comes a continual procession of
Pork. Swine first, swine last, swine al
ways; but not only, as there are .teao loads
of wheat, corn, hay, &C.. McGregor, aside
from its swiney propensities (by the way
l am no lover of the animal and could wish
them all driven to the top Of the bluff
overhanging the Father of Waters, and
become suddenly possessed Of the D-l,as
we read they once were,) is really pictur-
esque town, and in summer must be lovely
indeed, with its neat white dwellings nest
ling so costly amid their boundary of hills,
like birds nest in its leafy retreat. The
hills or bluffs whose sides are covered from
earliest Spring to late Autumn with greea-
est verdure, and beautiful wild flowers,
fling upon the breeze fragrance as sweet
and pure as ever came from Paradise. In
ascending the winding paths, curiosities in
shells, stones, or rocks, pebbles, bugs,
grasses, flowers, shrubs, &C., constantly
meet the eye, making the trip little study
worthy of note. Upon reaching the top,
there, spread out before you is the great
Mississippi in all its mnjesty; calmly flow.
ing, regardless Of history, legends, tribes,
crimes, sorrows, pain or pleasure, that has
made it Of world wide notorie,y. Gliding
upon its placid surface is youth, beauty,
innocence and endless wealth, side by side
with cool, calculating political ambition, the
traitor to his country, the dealer in human
flesh, the seller of souls, the worse than
midnight assassin all these and more. In
its quiet bed rest millions Of wealth, and
stffened forms whose life histories will
never be unfolded until the Judgment Day.
Yet this mighty river must, few weeks
each year acknowledge conqueror, in that
hoary headed tyrant, the Winter King.
We, the inhabitants of McGregor, upon
New Years Eve especially felt his unrc.
lenting, cruel force, as he prosecuted his
march from the white. stiffened corse of the
Mississippi, turning all things inanimate to
as heartless, pulseless rocks as himself, and
causing his living, shivering victims to yield
unconditional obedience to his terrible pow.
er. OBSERVER.
Nc cGreqor, Jan. '64.