Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-10-25
The Westburg School Desks Again.
Oct. 10 1873

Oct. 10, 1873.
Mr.. EDITOR:-As Mr.. Parker insists
that I should answer his letter, shall
accommodate him in the best manner |
can. In the first place, / wish him to
understand that | had no intention of
provoking a discussion with him on the
subject, knowing my inability to parry
the scientific thrusts of Mr. Parker with
success; neither is it my wish to detract
one iota from his present popularity
with the people Of this county. With
all candor, | will say that I did not read
his letter, but based my assertions on
the opinions of others who did read it,
and if [ have been in error / will will
ingly submit to Mr. Parker, or public
opinion But, logically speaking, |
judged the letter by the results it pro-
duced. | have never been speaking
with any one on the subject but who
thought called it by the right name
when | called it 'recommendatory
letter" And certainly it was not let
ter Of warning, such as our county press
sends out az times, warning the people
Of the approaching danger Of raiders.
|
Mr.. Parker in being remiss in perform
ing his duty, but l rather think he is at
loss to know where that duty should
end. Now, he gave us very good list
of the prices of desks, but neglected to
give the price of the farmers produce
that goes for the payment Of said desks.
This recommendation letter, or what
ever other name it may be called GO
thou, whatever title suit thee, Aud
Hornie, Satan, Nick or Clootie'), was
paraded over Westburg long before the
meeting of the school board 1t seems,
by the testimony of Mr.. Reed, that the
agent paid him visit on one Of his Ger
rands of mercy" in the latter part of
harvest, but unfortunately for the
cause, Reed had happened to get
squirt at the delinquent tax list, which
no doubt had the effect of making him
somewhat dilatory in complying with
the wishes of the ''angel of mercy"
1t seems that Reed is not credited
with as much intelligence as the other
members of the board, but it is the gen
eral opinion of the people of the town
ship that what he lacks in intelligence
he makes up in integrity He may be
some distant relative of his namesake,
old General Reed, Of revolutionary
fame, who refused the British bride,
and told the emissary that his master
George lIl.-was not rich enough to
buy him. AS the readers are aware,
went for Mr.. Myers in my little story"
but it was with his own consent, as he
told me he deserved it for not trying to
counsel the board against the act. In
this case he showed his good sense and
magnanimity, and | felt as Pat did,
bould as a lion" when | had no opposi-
ton to encounter from that quarter.
But not SO with Mr. Parker, for when
he called me to an account, | was not
quite kilt, but speechless. Most like
ly we will be favored with visit from
the lightning rod men, 'on their errands
of mercy" and in reality they can press
their claims on our sympathy with some
plausibility, from the fact that we have
no lightning splitters on our school
buildings, but we have some very good
desks that are to be pitched aside some
of these days. And if we reflect,
what comfort those useless desks
would have been to some of our eminent
men of the past, when they sat on their
old hewn-out benches? Yet the names
of those men ornament the pages of his
tory. 1t is a recorded fact that Andy
johnson received his first lessons tailor
fashion, without the comfort of either
bench or desk.
Mr.. Parker rounds off one of his par
agraphs by saying that, IF by word,
line or recommendatory letter." he had
so wofully misled intelligent men and
taxpayers (though they be small ones
at thatl," he would go to the peni
tents altar and was ready to worship
at the feet of Mammon." Now, |
would hate to see Mr.. Parker worship
ing the god of wealth, and | know no
man in Westburg to whom the term
Mammon can be applied. 1t is true that
there are few who are abreast with
the world, yet these men have always
been found at the front when the health
and comfort of the children required an
outlay of money. WEsTBURG.
CHINA WEDDING.--The hosts of
friends and relations of Mr.. and Mrs
n. B. Bryant, who live in Sumner town
ship, near the Hospital, took them com
pletely by surprise last Monday evening
by visiting them in large numbers,
bringing with them many fine presents
and delicious eatables. It was the Goth
anniversary of Mr.. and Mrs. Bryant's
marriage. Friends were present from
Vinton, Westburg, Independence and
many other places. Among other
things, Mr.. and Mrs. Bryant were pre-
sented with an elegant set of china
ware. The evening was spent in feast
ing, merry making, and the usual con-
comitants of such happy affairs. 1t
was an occasion to be remembered by
Mr.. and Mrs. Bryant, for the testimon-
ials it contained of the regard and es-
teen in which they are held by their
friends in this vicinity. May future
decades bring them as much joy and
love as have the two that have passed.
MADAME DU PRE-, the walkist, who
at precisely 8 o'clock last Friday even
ing, at the Opera House. started on her
100 mile walk around and around the
sawdust track next the outer walls of
the spacious room, accomplished the feat
successfully the following evening, A
minutes within the specified time, 25
hours, making the last mile in precisely
the same time that she made the first.
Several parties started in to walk with
her at different stages of the journey,
but usually drew out at the end of a
mile or two. At the Madame's 63d mile,
Stone, the painter, started with her, and
the Goth, Rob Sites joined them. These
two parties walked with her until the
end, but the pace told on them fearful
ly. They had to have assistance to get
home, and the next day they went about
like foundered nags.
Divine Service Cd. W on Sunday
next, morning and evening, in st, James
church. at the usual hours, 104 A. NJ,
and p. M. Subject Of morning ser
mon: Habitual and Tranquil Glad
nees." Subject of evening lecture
"OyerthroW of Romanism and MOham-