The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1864-02-24
McGre gor W. stern Railway.


our genial friend and indefatigable sports
man, WIN. d. MERRILL, Esq. We want to
see the road this week and puff the enter
prise little, but "Blr' has exhausted the
subject, and now ride without notes, is
all that is left US.
One week ago to day, in company with
our friends Capt Williams and Maj. Vele,
we accepted an invitation to take ride
over the new Railroad being built vest from
North McGregor, through the valley of
"Bloody Run" 1t was an event we little
expected seven or eight years ago, when
the now Railroad route was then our favor
ite hunting grange" The deer then came
down from the bluffs at noon to drink the
crystal waters Of the "Run." The wood
duck and grouse there reared their young
all undisturbed, save by the occasional
presence Of the hunter. Nature, in all her
primeval beauty, seemed impregnable in her
solitude. But now, how changed Well
do we remember the first days work upon
this railroad enterprise, now known as the
McGregor Western. 1t was one beautiful
day years ago. when returning from hunt
up near Spaldings Mill, we discovered Jed
Brown with a gang of laborers clearing
away the timber and underbrush at the
mouth of the Run" now known as North
McGregor. This intrusion upon one Of
Natures sancturaries, seemed like sacrlegc
to US. Turning the bow of our hunting
canoe towards the Ferry Slough, we glided
among the then heavily timbcred islands,
across the Mississippi, and had not visited
ktRloo6v Rnpo auain until last week
The march of improvement had placed
its imprint on every side The table land
on the North Side" where we first made
and dwellings. and large hotel stands
where the bluff has been dug away to till
up the low land. The course of the run"
has been diverted from its natural channel,
and an Elevator and Depot are about to be
erected on the South side" The neck of
land at the mouth Of the "Run," (where we
have "baggcd'' hundred wood cock, }
has been stripped of every tree, filled up,
and in less than year will be the site of a
dozen large Warehouses filled with freight
and grain.
We were not fully aware until last week
of the vast amount Of hard work that had
really been accomplished on the McGregor
Western. But the enterprise has strug-
! gled along, going steadily ahead in spite of
every obstacle, and now certain success
awaits it.
| The road is built out and in running or
der about ten miles. Construction trains,
and a hundred men, are now busy on the
work. The track will soon be perfect to
Monona, when regular passenger train
W II be put on the road The Company
are well supplied with engines and cars
sufficient for all present purposes
The Company are particularly fortunate
in the selection Of their officers and employ
| ees. The Superintendent, VIM. Green, is
evidently man Of energy practical in
every sense, and not afraid to acork, himself.
Conductor Sherwin, and Engineer Chase,
are the right men, and eminently fitted for
places of responsibility and trust; while
our friend and namesake, VIM. Luther, is
an acquisition that the McGregsr Western
Railway will never dispense with. His ex-
perience in Railroad matters, his well.
known industry. and perfect integrity, all
combined in as whole souled young man
as ever breathed, render him efficient in
advancing the interests Of the road.
Mr.. Wm. Luther will do as much hard
work for the interests of his employers as
any living man can. We make this par
ticular mention Of him, because he is really
worthy Of praise, and is too sensible to
take on style" in consequence.
We have not space in one notice to men,
ton all the items of interest that presented
themselves to Us during the ride on the
road. But we saw enough to convince US
that the McGregor Western Railway is a
SOUND, lice institution, and bound to be one
of the chief avenues for the transportation
Of the vast amount Of productions of the
region it traverseS. We saw enough t.
convince US, that millions Of bushels OF
grain now being hauled in wagons to the
river, will be carried over this road. We
are also certain, that next season, double
the amount of grain over any former yeaI
will be received at the river opposite Pr
du Chen, owing to the advantage OF ade
quate transportation furnished by the Nc
Gregor Western Railway.
Death Of serEt. woodward.
FoKT RANDALL, ID. T.,
Feb 9Th, 1864.
At meeting of the members Of Co. L
9th Regiment Iowa Volunteer Cavalry, tn
following Preamble and Resolutions wa
unanimously adopted
WuEREAs, The Almighty in his wisdom
has seen tit to remove by death our belove!
companion and fellow soldier, Scrgt. S. Ii
Woodward, and
) WHEREAS, We ever love to honor thos
I who have yielded up their lives in detens'
of their country, Therefore be it
Resolued, That it is with sorrow we ar
called upon to mourn the loss of one VIII
by bis noble Spirit and exemplary life, wol
for himself the esteem aud affection of al
l who knew him.
Pesoluea, That in this Bereavement tn
0 country has lost a gallant defender ant
, Co. L, beloved member.
I Resoloed, That we extend our sympath
to the friends Of the deceased and especial
ly to his parents, and while we mingle ou
tears with theirs, We would rejoice wit
, them that he died true patriot and BRAY
! soldier.
Resolvsd, That we wear the usual Eadg
Of mourning for 80 days.
! Resolusd, That a copy Of these resolu
7 tons be sent to the parents Of tie deceas
ed and that the Editors Of the North low
TINES and McGregor Neus be requested t
i publish them.
., DIED.-At the military hospital at Fol-
! Randall, d. T., on the morning Of the 4.h {
February Sergt. S. II. Woodward, Co. l
9th Regiment Iowa Cavalry Volunteer.
aged about 25 years, his disease was inaan
nation Of the lungs. The subject of this nc
: tice enlisted with Capt. Ames in the ia
: of 1862 as private and by bis gentleman
ly manners, good conduct and attention