Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-08-27
Around Loose.

Notice is given in advance that this letter
will be nothing If not systematic.
1t will discuss under three heads:
First, to Ironton and back; second, to Bel
grade and back; third, Religious Meetings.
The first division will include things, wise
or otherwise, seen, heard or felt during two
trips. The first point of Importance is the
Granite Quarry. Here business is being
conducted on methods very different frem
those that characterized the Government
contract. The Syenite company is doing
large amount of very fine work. The sheds
are very neat and substantial, the workmen
are orderly and skillful, the railroad connec-
ton complete, and the Superintendent is
level-headed and competent business man.
MIR. Phi. w. Schneider is commencing the
granite business over next the Brown farm.
He has large deposit of very fine granite,
free from some of the drawbacks which beset
the works on the hill above him. He has
failed to negotiate a connection with the
Syenite company. He does not need it. He
has rock enough of his own. His railroad
outlet can never be at Middlebrook. 1t must
be at Iron Mountain, which can be easily
reached from his quarry. When Mr.. Schnei-
der has established railroad connection at
Iron Mountain, he certainly ought to do Il
good business, as he is free from many draw
backs that formerly cramped him.
The school at the Granite Quarry is en-
tirely too large for one teacher, and the
wages are too small for the amount of work
to be done, as whoever undertakes the work
will discover.
The sanitary condition thel is not encour-
ing. The soil, which is merely broken down
granite, has no more filtering power than
crushed glass. The rainwater soaks from
the surface until it reaches the solid rock
below, TO which the wells are dug to get it.
A cholera scare would make wild work there.
Your correspondent was there in 1878, and
knows how it was himself.
After the Granite Quarry, glance must be
given to Pilot Knob. An hour of pleasant
chat with Mr.. w. G.. Dilts recalled many
very pleasant memories, and your cores
pondent was told that it is not intended to
reopen the furnace, but the work of mining
will be pushed. The old p. X. I. Co. was
grand corporation until it was drawn into an
untoward partnership and overloaded. But
it will come up all right, becauseit is honest.
Your correspondent found Ironton much
as usual, thank you. The object of his last
visit was to be measured for certificate as
teacher. After a six-hours' examination,
partly oral, but mainly written, he came out
with ninety-siX out of one hundred, six per-
fects and four extras.
He was told there Is one man in Iron
county who claims to be perfect in grammar.
Barnum ought to have him.
The English-speakinge element of the world
embodies substantially its progressive ele
ment, land the language of such people must
be progressive. 1t must be continually tax
ing on new words and dropping old ones.
The language is never perfect, and no mans
knowledge of it can ever be so. To prepare
a work on grammar must take years of study,
and by the time the book is ready the Ian
guage has outgrown it. 1t is safe to say
that the so-called English language is spok-
en- better i'm New York than it is in London.
For man to claim to be perfect in English
grammar merely reveals his ignorance of the
whole subject.
Before turning away from Arcadia Valley,
your correspondent begs leave to tender
sympathy over the grave of Mrs. Rosalie B.
Russell. Her whole life was positive force
on the side of the right. There is a great
loss when such one is taken away. Let
sectaries say what they may, of such is the
Kingdom of Heaven.
A few days ago your correspondent paid 4
visit to the family of Mr.. Thomas II. Hen
derson, near Belgrade. 1t was pleasant to
notice general advance in that region.
Some are erecting new dwellings, some new
barns: others are cleaning out fence rows
and resetting fences. New schoolhouses are
being erected, and new lands enclosed. One
farmer mulched his wheat last fall with good
results. Messrs. Adams and Butler, of Bel
grade, dealers in general merchandise, have
a very fine store-room and warehouse, and
are doing healthy business.
There are also in that region quite num-
Der of colored people, who have good rep
utation for good order and industry. Silas
Cole is good gunsmith.
In respect to religious affairs oyer there,
little is being done, excepting. in the way of
things going to pieces. On the third Sabbath
of August, by invitation, your correspondent
preached ut Belgrade. He found a very neat
and substantial house of worship, open to all
sects. No special effort had been made to
circulate the news of the appointment, and
there were other meetings around. The
audience was not large, but was very intel
ligent, orderly and appreciative.
Rev. Warren was carrying on series of
meetings in the neighborhood. In regard to |
those meetings, there are facts that must be
stated which apply to other neighborhoods |
besides Belgrade. Those meetings are gen.
orally held at night, and are rallying points |
for the owls and bats, the skunks and oppos-
sums of society, who care nothing for any
thing good, and use the meetings as pretext |
Tor bad practices. These parties know that |
e no mourners come forward the meeting |
will close, and that If it closes the fun will |
be stopped, and so they come up by reliefs
and make a business of being converted.
Beyond question this is very fragrant
phase of the sin against the Holy Ghost, and
clergymen need caution. Brethren, hold
all your religious meetings in daylight, and
then preach Christ. The correspondent of
The REGISTER may not be orthodox, but the
Devil does not get the wool over him much.
THOMAS CALLAHAN.