Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-02-03
Letter from GAINESVILLE, Wisconsin.
EVANSVILLE. Jan. 25, 1871.

GAINESVILLE, Jan. 70, 1871.
DEAR JUDGE:-I see by our daily
here that there is wonderful scar
city of sensation items, over which
our editor is lamenting. We al
most had one here yesterday. A
New York merchant, who had an
interest in jewelry store, under
took to effect a settlement with the
man who run the store, by the argu
ment of an uplifted Ratchet, which
would without doubt have been ef-
fectual, had not some persons that
were lettering at the door rushed in
and interfered with that mode of the
administration of justice. For a
few moments the lawyers and sher-
ifs were in high glee, and the edi-
tor, well | need not describe to you
the joyous emotions that came over
his countenance. But like most
criminal suits now a-days, where
the aggressor has money, the injur-
ed man chose to pat the dimes into
his own pocket rather than that Of
the lawyers, and let ga broken
peace" be tinkered in some other
way.
And Just here / am reminded by
the association Of ideas, of the new
Court House they have just erected
in this place at an expense OF about
$500, 600; one that is well worthy Of
the city and the county.
Since wrote you have been up
to Madison, where the assembled
wisdom Of the State are in session.
1t is wonderful to one not skilled
Gin ways that are dark" how much
can be a5meffor the benefit OF their
constituents by legislators. AL
though the common people are not
aware but what they are getting
along pretty well with things as
they are, yet have never known a
legislature that did not find enough
to occupy its attention til the
flowers grew, and the swelling of
the oak buds reminded them it was
planting time. Madison is u beau
tiful place, situated on a Slight emf
nence in the midst of a prairie coun-
try, and almost surrounded by four
silyery lakes, the view from the
dome Of the State House is enchant-
ing. The country around is very
rolling, and the swells generally
covered with beautiful groves, and
interspersed with sinuous roads and
farm houses, makes the landscape
delightful. But it needs the balmy
breath of spring to make this pros
pect all it can be to exhilarate the
beholIer. The State House has an
imposing appearance as you ap-
proach It from the railroad. 1t is
built Of stone, not unlike in general
appearance to that of which our asy-
lum is built, and is quite artistic in
form and workmanship. But the
most attractive thing to me was the
historical rcom connected with it.
For you g State like Wisconsin,
the exhibition is most creditable; in
fact could spend days there, aud
my interest not be satiated. Not
the least of interest to me were the
paintings of the war chiefs of the
different tribes that had their homes
here in the Northwest. There is an
undeiinabie sadness in the express
ion OF their countenances that brings
you into close sympathy with them,
and you forget the savage side of
their character in remembrance OF
their wrongs. Driven back step by
step from the graves OF their faith
ers,-is it strange that they should
resort to modes of warfare, and
even revenge, that are awful to con-
template? AS you look ut the pla-
cid brow of Black Hawk, you can
not but ADMIRE that Selt-sacriicing
patriotism that led him to rush on
certain death, rather than to aban-
don the hunting grounds of his faith
ers. With all there is of noble
ness in the character of the red
man, it is sad to think that he can
not assimilate with civilization, and
that his race is doomed by the des-
tiny Of the white man.
But my time is up for the mail,
for which you may be glad. Next
week-noihing unforeseen prevent
ing-I will report myself for service
again, amongst my old friends.
Yours truly,
Dick