Thursday, January 27, 2011

Local Matters

SOME INTERESTING details of the fight at Fort Donelson will be found on our second page.

THE SNOW disappeared rapidly yesterday before the mild weather.  Sleighs crowded our streets as though the good people were disposed to make the most of the snow while it did last.

THE Presbytery of LeClaire, of the United Presbyterian Church, meets at DeWitt on Wednesday morning.  This presbytery comprises many of the churches of that denomination of this county, and we believe includes that of this city.

REJOICINGS. – The little iron cannon was brought out last evening by some of our citizens, and several rounds were fired in honor of the victory achieved by our forces.  During the day quite a number of flags were displayed, and at night the Burtis House was brilliantly illuminated.

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THE adjourned semi-annual meeting of the Scott county Republican Club for the election of officers, will meet at the Court House on Tuesday evening next, at 7 o’clock, Feb. 18, 1861 [sic].

By order of,

JOHN COLLINS, Pres.
J. W. Guiteau, Cor. Secy.

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IF ANY of the fair are disappointed at not receiving their expected valentines, let them step into the post-office, and they may find them there, snug as you please, but deficient in a blue stamp.  An immense amount of sweetness has been lost in the desert air from that cause.

SUPPER AT THE DAVENPORT HOUSE. – On Saturday evening, one of the finest repasts of the season was spread out by Mr. G. Hickox, of the Davenport House before a large number of guests.  Lobsters and other rare fish were served up in delightful abundance, and many Easterners filled up to an alarming extent, especially in one or two cases we have heard of.

SCHOOL CELEBRATIONS. – The school in Pleasant Valley township had a celebration on Friday evening last.  Mrs. Miriam Fenno and Miss Jennie Allen presided at the piano.  The vocal music is also said to have been very fine.  Mr. J. McHarg addressed the scholars.  These neighborhood school exhibitions are largely attended and the results are highly beneficial to the scholars in encouraging a proper degree of emulation among them.

FIGHTING ON THE ICE. – The boys of this place and Rock Island are in the habit every Sunday, as is well known, of imitating on the ice the movements of their elders down South.  Last Sunday, the belligerent boys were out in strong force, and fought most of the afternoon.  Now the Rock Island boys would drive the Davenporters to this side, when he latter would receive reinforcements and drive back their opponents.  This was continued with varying success for several hours.  One boy we are told, was badly hurt, his head being cut, so that it bled very much.  This style of Sabbath observance has gone on about long enough, and energetic measures should be taken to prevent any recurrence of these scenes in the future.

“ANYTHING FURTHER?” – We didn’t count – indeed we couldn’t – how many times we were asked this question and kindred ones yesterday.  When we have important news, or any such is expected, the good nature of newspapermen is put to a pretty severe test.  The public are impatient to hear the very latest news, and the telegraph and daily paper offices are besieged by an army of news seekers.  Well, we for our part don’t complain of it; and for the sake of such good news as we had yesterday, we can stand being bored every day.  But if there should happen any more  Bull Run affairs, we don’t want any questions asked about them; it shows a morbid curiosity to inquire about such subjects, and we don’t mean to encourage it.  Go to our neighbor for news of that kind.  As it is, we intend to use all the alleys and by-ways for some days, so that we don’t have too much talking to do; while to such abstract and complicated questions as: How did Floyd escape? (stole away, perhaps)  How many have we lost? When will you get out the next extra?  When will the war end?  To these questions we desire to plead general “know-nothingingism.”

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Tuesday Morning, February 18, 1862, p. 1

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