The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-11-28

waukee and the rich graneries of Northcr,
Iowa and Central Minnesota, which canno
fail to be greatly beneficial to both tn,
country and the city.
xoNoNA
is good specimen of an Iowa village
plastered like small patch on vast ex
panse of Prairie. Indeed the view of tn,
surrounding country which may be obtain
ed here without stirring from the rail ear
is one which, for extent, l have not seer
surpassed anywhere in the west. .,. p.
THE FESTIVITIES AT M'GREGoR.
AT a little after eleven o'clock the ex.
pected train from Cresco arrived, bearing
five hundred and fifty representatives Of
the yoemanry, the beauty, and the gallant.
ry of Howard county. These were COM
prlsed in seven passenger coaches, all of
| which were densely packed. The two cars
OF the Milwaukee delegation were coupled
on, and the long train slowly wound down
through the valley of Bloody Run, arriving
at North McGregor at twelve. Here we
were embarked aboard the Allamakee.
pleasantly cherished in the recollection OF
all who cross the raging Mississippi at
this point, and were soon landed in bluffv
McGregor, situate mile below.
The McGregor Band, which had met us
at the North town, and discoursed good
music on the way down, took its station in
the street, and the people from the interior
fell in behind, marched to the new Cam
brian Hall, FIVE hundred strong, and were
soon seated along the capacious tables pro-
vided by the McGregorans. The Milwau-
kce guests were provided with honorary
seats at the side of the Hall, and can ONLY
say that l hope the other tables had as
sumptuous fare and as lovely dispensers of
the same.
Order was called by G. L. Bass, ESD.
who had been chosen by the people to pre-
side over the festivities, and prayer was Of
fered by the Rev. Mr.. Sloan. The prayer
was appropriate to the occasion, and very
good, on the whole-so much so that the
joker of the Milwaukee party, an officer
of the Consolidated, remarked afterwards
that he had been prominently connected
with railroads for twenty years, but never
was prayed for before, at the same time
Sc nding the clergyman substantial token
of his gratitude.
AT the conclusion of the PRAYER, the
chairman introduced Hon. Douglas Letting
well, Mayor of McGregor, who welcomed
the people of Howard county briefly, in
the following language:
TO our friends from Howard county and
from Milwaukee, and to all who have join
ed in this celebration from other commu-
mites, the people of our young City tender
their warm congratulations, and an ear
nest and cordial greeting.
With your success they have the fullest
sympathy, and in your rejoicing over this
extension OF our commercial and travelling
facilities they most heartily Join.
And with you we look forward, waiting
almost impatiently for the coming hour.
when we can join with other communities,
not represented with us to-day. in another
celebration, in which Iowa and Minnesota
will shake hands across those iron bands
that then will bind and work their mutual
interests. .. ....|.
But after your ride this morning, you
will probably appreciate refreshments more
than speeches, and hence shall transfer you
to the custody of the ladies, who have pre-
pared spon the tables before you more
substantial welcome than l can furnish
you from this platform. (Applause.)
This was responded to in speech of ten
minutes duration by Judge Goodrich of
New Oregon. Owing to the fact that the
people at the tables were hungry, and
commenced eating generally, about this
time, your reporter did not catch the re-
marks of Judge Goodrich, which were
doubtless highly appropriate.
The five hundred guests were now bid
den to ''pitch into'' the viands before them.
This order didn't have to be repeated-in-
deed it was nearly or quite unnecessary.
The grateful odors of steaming oysters and
savory coffee were soon RECALLING the olfac-
tories, while the din of dishes and the
hum of happy voices filled the ear, and the
1.-THE forms and beautiful faces of a hum
dred fair waiters-the elite Of McGrcgor
socicty-fiitting about the tables, gladden.
ed the eyes of those who got scat at the
first table, and must have measurably con-
soled those who couldn't.
TIE DINNER.
will here say that the lunch was con-
tributed by the ladies of McGregor, and was
all got up since Saturday night, at which
time the person who had contract to fur
nish the same announced that he could not
fulfill his contract. think that not one of
the guests regretted the fact, for it was
certainly very excellent tdinner-excellent
in quality and superabundant in quantity.
The generosity of the McGregor people
was farther shown at the close of the fes-
tivities by vote, which was unanimously
carried, to donate the remaining viands to
the poor Of the city.
PERSONAL.
Among the most active citizens in the
banquet undertaking, can mention G. L.
Bass, +. X. Barron, Amos Pearsall, j. F.
Bassett, and w. F. Hunting, Esqs.; Col
A. P. Richardson, of the TINES Maj Will
lis Brummond, Of the Ners; c. F. Bell,
Esq, w. A. Benton, Esq, A. j. Jordan,
Esq, II. E. Newell, ESQ, and Mr.. Letting
well, Mayor of the city. To those should
be added all the ladies Of McGregor and
great many more.
REMARKS OF GENERAL LAwLER. ...
The second regular toast was then read
RaiLroads-The Arteries of Commerce !;
their completion is proof of the Age OF
Progress.
John Lawler, Esq, Of Prairie du Chen,
was called upon to respond to tins toast,
and on rising, was greeted with hearty ap-
plausc, giving good evidence of the truth
Of a statement which Mr.. Lawler present.
ly made, that he didn't know that he had
q single enemy in the city Of McGregor,-
He had always exercised toward every
one that strict integrity and conscientious
honor which should characterize the con-
duct of all business men, one with another.
Speaking to the toast, he said that he
had witnessed the opening Of the first rail
way in the United States in 1929; and con-
trusting the railway facilities Of then with
the immense system of to-day, which has
"a, 600 miles Of railway in running order
and $4,000 miles in progress, with 81 ,3OO,-
100000 of capital invested. If this is