Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1873-06-28

shops and other Improvements on and
about tie Island. There are some
two hundred officers, soldiers and
workmen, all IN the employ of the
Government. General Rodman had
charge of the work until he lied, one
year since. There are several splen-
did residences, one of which Gen.
Rodman built for himself, but now be,
longs to the Government. 1t is a
very romantic spot, two thirds covered
with beautiful trees, the balance cul-
tivated and covered with shops for the
manufacture of arms for Government
purposes, There are five large build
iDgs going up this season all IRON and
stone, being fire proof and built in the
best manner. There is a deal of ''red
tape" about the concern, as / suppose
there is in all Government matters.
In the first place there are two men at
the gate of the bridge to examine your
pass and let no one on to the Island
without one. We got along without
any trouble as we were in company
with our gentlemanly friends, DR..
Geo. Vincent, George P. Gates
and their families, and George Silsby.
1t ought to make considerable show
to have sixteen millions of dollars
laid out in one place in so short time.
The people in this section make
themselves believe that the Govern
ment buildings will eventually be re-
moved to Rock Island and this be
the seat of Government instead of
Washington. 1t is also claimed that
it would not be far from the center Of
the Union, it would be very pleas
ant place, and easy Of access lying on
the great thoroughfare, the MiSsis-
sippi River.
PORT BYRON, June 8, 1878.
There are two churches here, Con.
gregationalist and Methodist. Each
have a very fair congregation. Yes
terday Sunday afternoon witness
ed German picnic, as they called it,
but | should call it parade and
dance. BY the way, there is a secret
order among the Germans called the
''Turners" that number in Moline,
Rock Island and Davenport, about
ten thousand persons. | don't I'M
derstand the benefit of it exactly.
They were dressed in uniform, turned
somersaults and did other foolish
things; had a parade and march,
with band of music, after which
they had a lively time in q grove pre-
pared for the purpose. Sunday is
the Germans holiday. The dance
kept up from three in the afternoon
till seven in the evening, and wound
up with fight among the roughs that
kept beer saloons, outside of the
dancing grounds. l went over the
river to see it, as it was called q pic
mic, and staid almost two hou.s.
saw German the next day who said
to Inc, "Why, mon you come away
too soon, the fun vas after you come
away; we had shplendid fight after
you vent home p
| have not seen any liquor sold in
this section; but strong beer is sold
everywhere, and is drank by all Ger
mans as well as lots Of others. 1t
will intoxcate, if they hold enough,
and makes them cross 1T Is called a
good fighting drink, but will not kill
as far us our Eastern whiskey and
not near as quick. l have seen signs
that read, Licensed Liquor Agency
but understand that they don't sell
by the glass.
A gentleman from here, travelling
in the East last season, stopped at
Lancaster, n. H., a few days he
said it looked 50 neat AMI tidy all
about that he wanted to kick over g
wheelbarrow or an old cart or wagon
and make it look like the West.
j. w. II.
REVELATIONS OF AN IMP.