North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-02-27
Correspondence.
RAyrfNopr Fob On -.

Correspondence.
BALTIMORE, Feb. 20. 81.
Dear Times Hoping l may be able to
write something that will interest you--
being little selfish withal. for l want
something to drive dull care away--1 write
for these two reasons. This city contains
about 24O, 900 inhabitants, and is growing
rapidly. 1t would grow much faster if
there were different commercial arrange
mcnts. All grain is measured in the half
bushel, and every hundredth bushel is
weighed and the average struck from these
weighings. am informed that differ
ence of lbs. is made sometimes in weigh
ing cargo Of the same grain. From this
you can see how uncertain is the weight.
l only mention this as one Of the many
drawbacks. Suppose Captain Hoffman
should be obliged to do the same in Nc
Gregor; how much grain would be han
dled-how many curses would be heaped
on the place? An enterprising man from
Buffalo has just completed floating ele-
vator here, which is destined to make some
inroads upon their time-honored customs
and fortune to the proprietor. From
him learn that last year there were about
100000 bushels of Iowa amber manufac-
tured into flour in this city. They mix it
with Writer wheat, and the flour is con-
sidered better than that made wholly from
winter wheat. "A portion of it was sent
to the West Indies, and orders have come
back for more of the same. 1t is liked
better because it makes sweeter bread
There is very strong prejudice against
any new thing. 1t took two years to in
troduce it.
A day or two ago / assembled to the top
of the lookout on the Washington Monu-
ment in this city, erected by the State of
Maryland. 1t was begun in 1915 and fin
ished in 1929, and cost 100000. 1t is
situated in the Northern Central portion
of the city on gentle elevation; from
the ground to the lookout is $50 feet, and
to the top of the statue of Washington
$50 feet. 1t is surrounded by fine iron
fence and the yard kept clean and neat by
man employed for that purpose and to
show visitors the monument. You enter
at the south gate, ascend the steps and en-
ter the vestibule. A gentleman approach
es and inquiries, g do you wish to ascend
to the top of the monument" If you do,
pay him 10 cents and he provides you
with lantern and you commence the as
cent up the winding stairway. You are
surrounded on all sides by solid masonry,
shut out from the light of day, nothing to
light your path but the dim scintillations
of the light Pickering from the lantern
held in your hand. The walls and steps
being damp a chilliness crecps over you
and you almost regret the undertaking.
Your limbs grow weary and you are COM
PEELED to sit down and rest yourself upon
the damp steps. You dare not sit long,
but resumlng your toilsome ascent you at
last discover light family breaking in up
on you. Oh, what relief! You rush up
the steps with renewed vigor, and emerge
again to the outer world. Baltimore is at
your feet. The Patapsco river for miles
with the numerous shipping in the harbor
is spread out before you. Men in the
streets below appear like boys. 1t is a
sight that will well repay any one.
One Of the most prominent objects is
what remains of Fort Federal Hill, COM
manded at one time by Gen. Butler Ii
was from this fort that the General issued
his orders and informed the Batimoreans
that unless they stopped their secession de-
monstrations he would open upon them.
This fort commands almost every foot of
Baltimore, and fearful would have been
the destruction of life and property had
the order been executed. The cannon are
all removed, the property sold, and the
fort itself is in ruins.
j. w. NANORMAN.