The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-08-17
A Trim to the Country.

Behind pair Of good travellers from the
stable Of Pearsal & Church, on Sunday
morning, Fox of the TIMES office and the
senior, left McGregcr on tour Of rural ex-
ploration. Passing through Gard. Farm
ersburgh and Elkadcr, we brought up in
the evening at Maj. Herriman's town on
the Volga, WADENA, so named by the
Major in honor of Chief OF the Grow
Wing country withlwhom he passed many
friendly hours while Herman was in
charge of the Indian Agency of Northern
Minnesota. WADENA is not large but there
is an excellent Grst Mill and Saw Mill, a
small shop or store, not near large enough
for the trade, blacksmith shop and the
other first elements of country village
The water power Of the Volga is very fine,
and in time must be much more improved
than now. The great feature of the
Wadena valley, however, is the elegant
mansion and the extensive farm of our
friend the Major. We have not the time
nor space now to do justice to this model
plantation, though visit to its hospitable
owner will pay any one who never saw, at
one uiep, farm of 1900 acres HERMAN
can sit on his own piazza and see, on his
farm, Three Hundred acres of corn, (the
best we ever saw in the State wheat, oats
and buckwhcat enough to make up six or
seven hundred acres of land in cultivation,
the balance Of the farm being luxuriant
meadow ground and very fine body of
large timber. His house is of Brick large,
well built and most convenient, with the
best of spring water at all times pouring
into the stone basement through pipes
arranged to suit the rooms. The cost of it
three years ago when completed, was about
$40, 000-the cost Of its construction at
present prices would be $4,000. The
Major lives at home most emphatically.-
Blessed with most agreeable family, and
surrounded by almost a score of tenants
who do as they please with him, so long as
they do right, he enjoys himself as one
may suppose enc Of the Dukes of central
Europe did in the days of old. But,
goodbye "Dave," till we make a second
and longer visit
YoLGA CITY.
Coming home by the way of Volga City,
we called a moment to see DRAKE, the mer-
chant and Post Master of that unpretend-
ing but active Mill point. After a necessary
decline of much appreciated favors tender
ed us by friend L. H., we struck out for
Elkader; passing (after the long hill was
conquered) over one Of the most romantic
prairie regions ever travelled. The road
from Volga to Elkader (the hill excepted)
is as good as if made to order.
ELKApER.
Reaching Elkader about noon, we put up
at the Washington House, now proprietored
by Burlington and 5ossed by Joseph
knowles, as kind gentleman as ever rang
bell for dinner. We met Atty's. Price,
Woodward, Hunt; Treasurer Ncklaus,
Seals, Knapp, Ross, Davis, Coroner Brun.
son, Deputy Sheriff IIodgkins Ito whom
reference is made in another part of this
paper) and several other gentlemen whose
hands we like to grasp. Called on EIBGcK,
of the Journal, had pleasant chat and
''ein glass Lager" with him. The town
was filled with Catholic friends celebrating
a holy-day to the honor OF the Blessed
Virgin.
A pleasant ride Of 4 hours brought US to
McGregor. ...