North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-08-14

Vhe McGroEOr Park or upper square. -
We noticed in the last number of the
McGregor News, an article having refer
ence to the action of theimunicipal author
tiles of the city--in authorizing an appro-
priation of part of the Public Square for
private purposes. An explanation per-
haps, of the action of the City authorities,
may tend to better understan ling of the
matter.
The late James McGregor, Jr., donated
to the city the tract of land now designat-
ed as the upper Public Square, for the use
of the people as a market and for other
public purposes, STIMULATING that in the
event of its being used for other than that
named, it should revert to the original DON
or, his heirs or assigns. 1t was suggested to
Mr.. Buell., the legatee of the original own
er, by the city authorities, that, it appears
to be the will of the People, to appropri-
ate few feet on the public Square to inter
the remains of his deceased Uncle, If he
will re-convey said tract to the people of
the city, and will erect thereon suitable
Monument, and surround the same with q
substantial iron fence, and will grade and
fence, and put some gravel walks around
the outside, and on the inside Of said fence
and through said Square, plant trees and
embellish the same, as place for public
resort, play ground, a promenade. A
place Ut amuscment,-a place where the
business man, the clerk, the apprentice,
the mother, the nurse and her precious
charge can inhale the pure breezes from
the distant prairies ana the mountain gvr-
ges, and when wanted for public market
it can readily be adapted to that purpose
This arrangement we understand was con-
summated by the city authorities and Mr..
Buell.. Without this arrangement, this
tract would probably remain for years, a
receptacle for garbage, pig-styes, and all
horrible and uncomfortable nuisances. The
citizens for years to come, cannot grade,
fence, and embellish that square for with
revenue officers, city, county and State ex-
penses, we all have as much as we can
stand under.
The friends of Mrs. McGregor and fam
lily complain that it is an invidious distinc-
ton to permit the interment of one of the
brothers in such a conspicuous place, while
the other lies alone and isolated on bluff
near the city. Give the family of the late
Alex. McGregor the same permission, if
such is their wish. They were both, to a
certain extent, public benefactors; the
sites Of our School Houses, our Churches
and our Cemeteries, are evidences of their
liberality and public spirit. They were
both men of incorruptible integrity and
sterling worth-but of strong feelings and
Notwithstanding from an ancestry
who occupied no small space in Scottish
history during the civil wars of Scotland
and England they were like steel, "ever
true to their friends, their King, and their
Country, but bitter and terrible to their
enemies" Time with them, as with us all,
is memorable in his demands, and the
grave is potent leveller of our race.
"There equals, rivals, small and great,
Partake the same repose,
And there in peace the ashes mix
tE5 Or those who once were foes"
Let then the descendants of these rivals
in life, by one magnanimous act bury in
oblivion forever the bitter feuds Of tho
past, and start anew with softened feelings
aud more generous impulses.
deceased, decline this proffer, we can only
regret while we gratefully accept the 9th
er as most efficient aid in our progress
to prosperity. MANY CITIZENS.
sCenotaph."
AH n