The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-08-01
The Excursion.

s.is
The Excursion.
Having been selected by the Col. us Eye
reporter for the st. Paul excursion party,
although feeling deeply our incompetent
cy. we. bow humbly to the decree and
attempt to portray in as clear and concise
a manner as possible, the incidents and
events Of the trip.
As per arrangement, the McGrcgor
Band, together with other gentlemen from
the city and vicinity, accompanied by la
dies, took passage on the fine steamer Key
City as she landed at our lcvee on Tues
day evening, July 9th. Twilight saw lis
en-route; stopped at Prairie du Chen for
a few hours. Enjoyment being the ord
er Of tire trip, Williams String Band was
called into requ;sition and to its cnlivcn-
ing, soul-stirr.ng music, our pleasure
seekers were soon wandering through the
intricate but pleasant mazes Of the dance,
scarcely thinking or needing TIE intense
heat that the cool breezes of the broad
! "Father Of Waters could not drive away.
None OF the happy dancers knew Of the
boats departure from p. lu c.. nor did
they seem to wish to; every ear was bound
up in the First four right and left, "All
promenade &c. Weariness ut length COM
PEELED all to seek their state rooms the
dull heavy thud of the swiftly revolving
| wheels was soon all that disturbed the mo-
notonous quiet. Awaking on the morn
ing of the 18th, we found ourselves at the
snug little city Of Lansing. At De Soto,
a few miles above, the members of the
| band having cleared their eyes Of 'tsliyers,''
assembled on the upper deck and at once
proceeded to dish up'' for the sleepy citi-
| zens of that rather Economically situated
burg, goodly supply of waltz, shottische
and quckstep. Soon after. the welcome
tinklc of the breakfast bell was heard,
which was not UNDECIDED as we discovered
a few moments later when we descended
and found every chair filled: "nary'
a seat remained. Well, breakfast and din
ner passed away in the usual iashion-ev-
cry one eating as though they had but five
minutes to devote to it, which is a live
characteristic with the majority Of the
American people. Afternoon found us at
Winona, one of the finest little cities in
Minnesota. Learning that the boat would
make quite a lengthy stay, the band. pre-
ceded and followed 10y number Of "good
fellows" landed and marchol-with music
al accompaniment-to the Huff House,
whore they were cordially invited to
laugh with some free hearted gentle
man. Not wishing to be deemed rude, one
of their pleasantest ''smilcs'' was donned
Cdocned) when they returned towards the
boat Arriving opposite Ames' Saloon,
they We're called in by its gentlemanly pro-
prietor and asked to partake of glass of
lemonade, ''slightly colored' with some
thing not laid down in the dycr's sched-
ule. The cool and inviting shades of
evening We're just beginning to fall when
we again started on our way. The per-
formances Of the night before, were again
enacted, with the addition Of "Walk
Around"
In the early morning of the Goth, Alma
was reached, and we were informed that
we could get no farther on the Key City
would have to change boats five went on.
Concluded not to torsake Capt. Laughton
and his gallant crew, SO remained on board
and started on our return in short time
1t Trempeleau stopped and tied to two
barges Of wood the boats hands having
'struch, help was wanted to ship the
wood. With their accustomed willing
ness, the gentlemen of the party dolied
their coats and vests ana ''waded' into
one of the barges with the firm resolve 10
beat the ''colored gentlemen on the other.
With the timely assistance Of little ''ice-
water it was accomplished in quick me-
ter. The rest of the return trip was un-
disturbed by any Incidents, aside from the
stopping to breathe once or twice on
nd-bar. which is necessary evil, consid-
crins the present low stage OF water
Fountain City, La Crosse and other pla-
ces were remembered by the Band.
Arrived in McGregor, Friday noon, all
sober. We might paint large. picture,
but as space is scarce, We will merely say,
that trip to st. Paul is pleasant even
if we go only to ALMA. CHARLEY.