Local Matters

MEASLES. – We notice, in some of our exchanges, and unusual prevalence of this complaint in different parts of the State. It has prevailed to some extent in this city but in a very mild form.

THE REGULAR Semi-Annual Meeting of the Scout County Republican Club, for the election of officers, will be held at the Court House this evening (the 2d Monday in February) at 7 o’clock.

• JOHN COLLINS, Prest.
• J. W. GUITEAU, Secy.

AT THE Hawkeye, corner, Third and Brady, they have been buying a large lot of teas, coffees, sugars and pure liquors, for cash, and are now selling them off cheaper than any grocery in Davenport. Call at this great cheap grocery, and our word for it you will be satisfied. dw*

KIRKSOW & Co., of Rock Island, have on hand one of the largest stocks of dry goods, carpets, etc., ever brought to this part of the country. They were purchased when goods were down, and are selling at prices to suit the times. Now that we have a good bridge over the river, it will pay our citizens to cross over and take a look at their splendid stock.

LUMBER. – The excellent sleighing we have enjoyed for some time has brought in a number of teams from a distance, bearing grain and other produce. In return a great deal of lumber has been hauled from town, and some loads going as far as fifty miles out. – Teams have come here this winter from counties to the north, some of them passing two railroads to reach this place, showing that Davenport is one of the best markets in the State.

ALMOST A ROW. – Considerable excitement was created around the Post office Saturday evening by the threat of an irate citizen to use up the ‘clerk’ at the delivery, and the Post office generally, for which purpose, after a tempting offer from the irate individual, the whole party adjourned to the alley; but as only two of the officials made their appearance, Irate seemed to think there wasn’t enough to begin on, so he consoled himself with the reflection that said officials were not confirmed, and he’d see that they wouldn’t be.

GOT ANY EGGS? Is the question, and ‘Nary egg,” is the answer of the grocers about town, almost if not quite, unanimously given. – there seems to be trouble among the hens. It may be they are ‘secesh’ in principle, and are disposed to starve us out, by way of assisting the rebellion indirectly; or it may be they are indignant at the low prices which prevailed last season, and which hardly paid for the advertisement that cackled their wares to the world. As things are now, eggs are not quotable in this market, for the very good reason there are none to quote.

VALENTINES. – As St. Valentine’s day is approaching, the dealers in the missives which make that day conspicuous above all others, are opening out their stock of Valentines. Of course, they have the usual variety of sentimental effusions, done up in tinsel and relieve, with charming cupids and shivered hearts; while the supply of caricatures is equally varied. We notice the military come in for their share of complimentary notices of this character. We do not anticipate, however, a very lively business in this direction for the Post Office this year; a practice which has fallen into gradual desuetude of late years, is not likely to be revived much this season.

SLEIGHING. – The sleighing we have this season has been the longest continued for many years; and the use which has been made of it attests how welcome it was. – Large parties of enjoyment-seekers crowd into omnibus sleighs and drive over the country, winding up with a sociable at some farmer’s house, and coming home in the “small hours,” having obtained about as much of the enjoyment they sought as they can conveniently carry. Others, less gregarious in their habits, get a horse and cutter and one other occupant – just one other – and away they go, skimming over the snow like a bird. Of the two modes, it is hard telling which is the most enjoyable – they both are keenly delightful, notwithstanding the growl of some cynic, that he would enjoy himself as well with his feet in a bucket of ice-water, and rattling the shovel and tongs. He must have been fitted by some “charmer” on one of these adventures.

THE PRICE OF GAS. – Nearly every town in the State – our own not excepted – that boasts the possession of Gas works, is growling over the prodigious high rate exacted for the luxury of gas, while the citizens of many of them are repudiating it altogether and resorting to kerosene. The fact of it is that $4.50 per thousand feet and 25 cents per month for rent of meters is entirely too high. The latter item renders it equivalent in most families to $5.00. Kerosene is now as cheap and so good withal, that unless there be a reduction in the price of gas in our State the citizens will generally resort to its use. We should suppose it would be to the profit of the Gas companies to reduce the price, but presume they will study their own interest in the matter.

MR. SANDERS:– The people of Pleasant Valley and vicinity have been having a good time. The prosperous and happy community seem not to be affected at all by the hard times. Their benevolence and hospitality flows as freely as ever. Last Friday, some two hundred and fifty persons met at the M. E. Church, spread a sumptuous board, supplied the inner man to complete satisfaction and after having a general good time socially departed, leaving in their wake fifty dollars in cash, and thirty dollars in domestic necessaries, for the benefit of Rev. J. Z. Coleman, pastor of the church. May Heaven’s blessings rest upon the liberal sonis [sic].

RELIGIOUS NOTICE. – Edwards Congregational Church. – service will commence hereafter at 10 ½ o’clock a.m. and 5 o’clock p.m., instead of 7 ½ o’clock in the evening as heretofore. Seats free.

DIED. – On Saturday evening, Feb’y 8th, ROSE ANNA, infant daughter of JOHN F. and ANNA P. DILLON.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, February 10, 1862, p. 1