Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-09-25
FOR the Bulletin.
Oelwein Correspondence.

For the Bulletin.
Oelwein Correspondence.
One year ago not q single sign
Where h0,r stands the lovely town Of Oelwein.
What miracles the iron horse performs.
We can scarcely realize that in so short
space Of time thriving village has sprung
up. Where one short year ago was naught
but prairie and forest trees, n 70 is II pop
ulous, thriving, busy, little city, of which
the surrounding country may we'll be
proud. For years this has been the pro-
iect of its founder, from whom it derives
its name. Perseverance brings its reward;
no doubt this is the browning triumph of
his life. The name of Oelwein is per
petuated forever. Years hence when We
are. jail gathered to our fathers the
origin of the picturesque City of Oclwein
will possess charm for youthful minds,
who love u dash of romance. Among
recent improvements in Oelwcin is the
Grange Elevator, which is built on foun-
dation of stone, and appears to be very
substantial. 1t is calculated to allow
farmers to. drive into the building and I'M
load in cold, stormy weather. They have
received Howe Scales, one with capacity
of four tons, the other for shipping
hopper. Perry, of the Jefferson House,
has enlarged his building, and has recently
accepted G. Snow, of Independence, for II
son -in-law. Irving, Postmaster Miller,
Van Berber, and others, are making lively
work for carpenters, putting up additions
to their buildings Handler, of Dubuque,
we understand, is finishing off a building
for Il Hotel That's good; there's nothing
like competition in any branch OF bust
ness to ensure success. Business Is rather
dull on account of the low price Of grain.
Miller p. NJ. came very near taking French
leave of the Oelweinians, am informed,
a few evenings ago, having taken too
large dose of laudanum through mistake.
Crops are rather ordinary; average about
sixteen and twO-thirds bushels per acre in
some pcrtions of this county. On the
GAYLORD place, near Winthrop, it aver
aged seven to ten bushels per acre. Late
potatocs are partial failure. Corn is
pre- .naturely ripcned by the drouth. Sorg-
ham is very good, and Classes making is
going on lively. We got some, so now
we "sweetly" sing, and make the woods
with music ring. Several of our neigh
bors, who went to Kansas last fall, have
returned prepared to freeze to death
this coming winter. They discovered
that leaving Iowa, and going to Kansas,
was like "leaping out of the frying pan
into the fire." and. having got somewhat
scorched, return to first principles, much
wiser, and considerable poorer, for their
grasshopper experiment. Some time ago
the wife of II. d. Manning was taken to
the Insane Asylum at Mt. Pleasant. She
had acted rather peculiar all summer,
threatened to poison the entire family
chastised her husbands mother severely a
number of times, and threw corn plant.
er ut one of her children. She denied
being insane, said Manning was, for he
took a dollar and seventy five cents per
bushel for apples, when she could have
got two dollars just rs well rs not. The
rapid increase of insanity is sad reficc'
ton upon the progress of humanity
Many people speak of ~edk-minded per.
sons rs those who are apt to Ego crazy,
yet it is generally right the reverse, those
only who are capable OF intense feet ng
being liable to wrecked mind, caused
by constant torture, or some sudden shock
Manning evinccd the depth of his sorrow
at the loss of his wife, by getting "glori
ously drunk" the day she was taken to
the Asylum, displaying almost rs much
emotion us the old lady in Geneva, Wis,
did when her "old man" hung himself
with skcin of yard, in the stairway
Said she, "he allus was just so contrary
what on arth did he take my nice new
yarn for when there's plenty. rope out in
the barn" Old Jack Frost nippcd us
slightly the night of the 14th.
Yours,
| FRANK FAIRCHILD