Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1876-01-21

proceeded ABOUT nail way across, lne ice
gave way, and down the engine went in
to about twelve feet of water. Fortu-
nately the drag rope was retained and by
dint of saving way to the shore the
submerged apparatus was dragged out,
not a bit the worse for the mishap, except
the loss of one pipe.
Usage. 1t was our valued privilege to
spend Il few days, last week, IN the above
live town, our former home, and to ac-
cept the warm Inequalities and cordial
greetings of many old friends and ac-
quaintances with whom we pioneered it
twenty years ago. Aside from the pleas
ure derived from this companionship we
were much gratiiicd at the evidences Of a
generous growth and prosperity which
met our eyes on all sides. Usage is one
of the most enterprising towns III Iowa.
She is situated in one of the garden re-
gions of our State, is filled with an intelli-
gent, refined and energetic population,
who are alive and active in everything
tending to her business and social devel-
opment. We especially noticed the new
building recently erected for the Sage
public library, one of the cherished instl-
tutions of the town. The Cedar Valley
Seminary is one of the institutions of
Usage. Under the care of its accomplish
cd and thorough principal, Prof. Alva
Bush, it takes rank among the best acad
emies of the State, and is prospecting
abundantly. The iron works of Kelly,
Morgan & Co. is another growing institu-
ton of Usage. They employ about 30
men, and are turning out variety of
manufactures, finding ready and profitable
sale for all their work. Altogether, our
stay in Usage was very pleasant, and we
were more than ever impressed with the
indications of her brilliant destiny.
OUTRAGEoUs.-Tha peace-loving, law
abiding individual, Tom Hunt, distin-
guished himself in his favoritc role, that
of the bully, at the fire the other day -
MIR. NJ. j, Baker, a peaceablc man and
good citizen, was placed, by the Foreman
of Catarac: Company, at the pipe of that
engine. While performing his duty in
this place, Hunt approached and made an
insolent and unauthorized demand that he
relinquish the pipe to him. This Baker
refused to do, HINT then employed him
self in trying to annoy and obstruct Mr.
Baker and the others, who with him,
were dong what they could to save prop
erty. This he kept up until Mr.. Baker
became slightly iIritated and gave Hunt a
kick, after which he went off uttering
threats. An hour afterward, when all
supposed that the momentary irritation
attendent on the affair had passed, Hunt,
backed by a number of his cronics, some
of whom had been drinking, again sought
out Baker with the avowcd purpose of
seeking a quarrel and whipping him. He
renewed the disturbance with insulting
and abusive language and violent demon
STATIONS, which Baker met by declarations
that he was not fighting man; did not
want to quarrel, and desired only to be
left alone. This would not do for Hunt
and his crowd, and he assaulted Baker
with his fists, knocked him down, sprang
upon him and began to beat him, the half
drunken abctters of the assault in tie
meantime encouraging Hunt with brutal
shouts and disgusting profanity. Mr..
Baker defended himself as well as he
could, but he was in the midst of his
enemies. After time, however, some of
the less excited persons in the crowd, who
like to see fair play, pluckcd up spirit to
interfere and stop the brutal performance.
Mr. Baker is not much hurt; but the out
rageous feature of the case is that peace
able man, intent upon doing his duty in
saving the properly of his neighbors from
| fire, acting upon orders, and faithfully
carrying them out, shall be set upon by a
bully, aided by others of his class, and
shamclessly maltreated. Is there any en-
couragcment for citizens to give them aid
On such occasions if liable to such treat
mcnt? This is the question our city au-
thorities are called upon to answer
Hunt, who is VIGOROUSLY a fighting man
ovcrbearing and quarrclsomc, Is Il member
of the Steamer Company. 1t would be
well tor that organization, which has the
esteem and gratitude of the public for its
self sacrificing labors, and in whose
efficacy our people take just pride, to
inquire if its good name, its peace and
harmony, as well US its efficiency would
not be enhanced by the elimination of the
disreputablc element that has undenably
crcpt into it. We know that many Of Its
most valuable members are firm in the
opinion that the pruning knife cannot be
| ,,pl;,l too cnon