The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-04-11
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Dykins Line.

:; On Wednesday last there were sundry
o persons at McGrcgor who tainted to &C
J cast. The r. II. to Madiso,hnd Chicago
d was busted, and Mr.. Dykin was employ.
c CT to convey twenty passcrers to Dun
s leith; it is sixty-eight miles the river to
f that ancient station, but it III be seen BY
: the letter of our Especial artt,' Colby. of
r the mercantile house of Bown Bros. Chi.
cage, that Dykins filed hiI engagement
like man. On board therSycre DIR. j.
>. Ciemmer and lady, of lew Oregon
; Colby, Of Chicago. youndadv whose
name was not given us, ii. |. Freeman.
III. Lyman and L. L. Secgar of Mil, \.
Medbury "a "briek''), of Clcago. A. c.
Smythe, a. =. Rcdfcld, r Wheclock
L. V. Benton, jr., of McGrege, Willough.
by ct. al. Read below and SCI what took
place Oh the voyage. Kane expedition
is now in the shade! ...
CHICAGO, AT. 6, 1866.
Ny Dear Col
! That distinguished confederation known
as the "Dykins Line" after numerous tri-
ais and tribulations, delivered their preci.
Gus freight in good order and 'bn time" in
that Ito usl haven of rest, DIX LEIru, and
great was the rejoicing therat. Allow
me to suggest that the stockholders of the
Accidental Insurance Company hold a
meeting and vote DYKISs metal as to-
ken of their appreciation of his services
saving to them the sum of foar or five
thousand dollars per head of that "soodle
companie,' in a safe delivery.
As soon as party found they were
not going to the bottom, they agreed to
have ajolly time, and many festive chez,
went up, and whisky went down. Two
hours and Clayton was passed; the citizens
rushed out to see the first boat of the sea-
son, which passed without giving them a
call. Two hours more AMI our gay craft
touched the levee at Gutenberg, aston
ishing the worthy burghers Of that minia-
ture modern Amsterdam wonderfully; they
/
thought Of invasions and other dire calan-
itics, but when they found us harmless
they went on chewing the cud of content
ment. But one hotel would not hold us
all. SO we diTidcd-our own party stop
ping with CRAWFORD. the only American
in that city! After a good supper we dou-
bled UP. paired of, and turned in. Break
tasted at 6 \. NJ, and rc-cmbarked at Z,
with a good lunch put up by Bro. Craw-
ford. We 'paddled our light canoe" to-
ward the ''lanl Of cotton we Rallied
round the flag" and we :'tramped;' we
told "Aunt Rhody;" we Battle cried and
sent "John Browns body" kiting. ".Gid-
cons Band said, '"Twixt you and |, re-
ally think it's just the time to take a
drink, y when we Immediately put our
selves outside of some of Clarke & Hopkins
best. The day was cold and uncomforta-
BILE, which kept refreshments in good de-
mand. At eleven o'clock we gave Dutch
man very unceremonious call, and press
ed him into our service. He built the fires
and we ate the lunch. After good warm
ing we were soon under weigh. Here let
me tell a good joke on Dykins and his sec
ond mate Shanghai Ned;' bottle was
filled with water, for the ladies, but for
mischief was passed to Dykins, who took a
long and strong pull, but looked surprised
when he stopped to take breath--he could
not tell what kind of liquor it was! Then
NED took the bottle, and after repeating an
old and long toast, turned his face heaven
ward, shut his eyes and anzzlnd- down.
You may imagine that look, but it,can new
or be described, as that prospective whisky
turned to gall upon his lips; he knew what
he had been drinking, having tasted it
some time during his childhood. But by
kens didn't: as he asked me confidential
lv afterwards what it was.
Dykens is good sailor on skates, but
don't think he ought to command the Great
Eastern when they commence to lay the
next Atlantic cable. lie makes an excel
lent horsc-on-shore, with the tow-line over
his shoulder, especially if he is out of hear
ing.
The wind made the latter part Of the
voyage rather unpleasant, but we reached
Dunleith at three p NJ and took the train
at 4 for home, very glad to exchange our
mode of travelling. The ladies, God bless
them, stood the trip splendidly. I leave
for Cairo to-nigh which accounts for this
hasty scrawl. should like to write and
tell you all the fun. feared should not
have time to say anything if did not give
you this. Yours, l.. b. Colby.