McGrawville Express, Thursday, September 28, 1848.
EDITORS TABLE.
Cortland County Fair.
From the fact that our sheet is widely circulated among the adjoining counties; and also that we gave notice, through our columns, of the annual exhibition of the Cortland County Agricultural Society; we had reason to believe that an early official account of the proceedings on that occasion would be forwarded us for publication; but no such account having reached us, we are induced to substitute our own impressions for the official reports due us.
The exhibition of farm stock, we learned, was not as extensive as that registered at former anniversaries; some, of it, however, was very fine, and indicated no ordinary attention on the part of the farmers of this region, to this important branch of industry. Our attention was specially attracted to a huge animal which we denominated mastodon, but which some of the spectators insisted stoutly was only an ox! We doubt whether another beast of such dimensions can be "scared up" within the limits of old Cortland Co. We noticed a few fine sheep—and some thrifty quadrupeds of the genus sus; but were disappointed in not seeing our friend in Freetown, whose big swine we mentioned last spring. Friend Sanders was on hand, as usual, with his rooters—a likely breed all admit. By the way, we have eaten at his table some of the finest flavored pork we ever tasted—wonder what his mode of fatting and curing?
Of farm implements we saw but few. Chapin's Portable Cider Mill attracted considerable attention.
The Dairy Products, though not abundant, showed that the county was not destitute of industrious and skillful house keepers. Some half dozen of their enormous cheeses were left unguarded the second day, and two of them were seriously mutilated by the hungry visitors, as many an old jack-knife could testify if endowed with speech. The butter, which was all very fine, suffered less from gouging.
At the Academy Hall the ladies made rather pleasing demonstrations. They contributed much to the interest of the occasion by a display of needle work and paintings, and a tasteful arrangement of fruits and flowers. We were pleased to find among the specimens of paintings one piece by Miss Pearne, of our village, a young artist of promise. The portrait of Eld. A. Bennett of Homer, executed by Mr. F. B. Carpenter, we have seldom if ever seen excelled—it was faithful and lifelike. But interesting as were those specimens of the works of art they were eclipsed by those of nature, as exhibited in the persons of two beautiful twins—the objects of general admiration. The caresses, kisses, and remarks bestowed upon those infants were to them quite fatiguing; and must, to some bachelor spectators, have been construed into gentle reproof for their own voluntary but unnatural and unfortunate position in society. Since we have ventured to remark upon those twins, it is proper to add that such was the impression made by them upon the chairman of one of the committees, that he transcended the limits of his own department and entered upon the minutes a description of them, decidedly rich and glowing. We had not the happiness of listening to the address, but have heard it highly commended.
In consequence of the rain, and the distance of the field from the village, but few witnessed the feats in plowing. We did not go to the ground.
On the whole, the exercises passed off as pleasantly as could be expected, considering the unfavorableness of the weather.
For the Express.
Mr. Editor:
Did you ever attend a cattle show? Did you ever see the congregated products of industrial art, horticultural beauty, and farming utility of a county, brought into a County Fair? If not, it would well have repaid you to have left the lumbered table, and brain blistering cares of an editor, for a time, to witness the fair forms and virgin faces of the farm house, and the sturdy and independent order of Nature's noblemen that have thronged our village for two days past. True, an umbrella would have been your best vade mecum. The heavens, to speak poetically, wept, but it was for joy. No Virgil in our time writes Bucolics, yet the "fair" furnished a full page of Nature's unwritten poetry as inspiring, though not as immortal, as the song of the old bird of Mantua.
We saw here, collected near the Court House, oxen that only needed trunks to have made elephants—cows whose capacity at the pail was such that the buttermilk might serve to turn a grist mill; ambling nags and fiery coursers, from which a poet might pick a Pegasus. In the Court House were the choice products of the dairy—cheeses like a cart-wheel, or the full orbed grandeur of the rising moon, though not half so "green." They were rich and well made, still I discovered none of that peculiar animation that must have pervaded the piece that ran away with the workman's dinner pail, eluded him pursuing on full chase with his axe, and stowed itself in ample security under the house with all the insulting airs of a squirrel when dodging into a wall.
In the Academy Hall, upon the stage, where schoolboys scrape and make their awkward bows, and ape Demosthenes,—Madam Flora had come forth from Mr. Hitchcock's garden and seated herself with all her witching smiles. There too hung fancy embroidery and fine needle work from the delicate fingers of fair ones, such as would have made Mother Eve ashamed of patching fig leaves; and Adam, had he seen it, would have blessed the day the Lord commanded him to be fruitful, multiply and replenish the earth. He would have thought the command well executed if he had seen the beautiful cherub twins of fourteen months old that were presented there among the flowers like Cupid in a bed of roses. Bachelor as we are—(what strange impulses will come over one)—we would have given every thing except our good nature for—("thou shall not covet thy neighbor's wife") some one of the girls there and the babies!
Hung up about the Hall were some of the performances of the young artist of Homer—portraits half as large as life, and twice as natural, that gave promise of the dawning of such genius as guided the pencil of Raphael when he painted the Transfiguration. They were not left like the old Pugilist in Virgil threatening to bear off the prize for want of a competitor. Some fair one—if she was half as pretty as her pictures, Venus is not without a counterpart—had some fine specimens upon marble board.
Then came the patents and inventions—a contrivance to ring a bell in the landlord's ears, and show him at the same time, the number of the room where the toddy is wanting—toddy we hope will not be wanted a great while in these Temperance times. A model steam engines was presented; and (we did not see any such thing but for aught we know it might have been there) a lightning line to the distant planets to chronicle events and propel a stream of fresh news from comets and ghosts of thunder storms.
The forenoon of the second day was devoted to a plowing match; the afternoon to an address from J. S. Leach, Esq. Then came the award of prizes. We did not stay to hear the result, but we should have given the first prize to the BABIES!
Cortlandville, Sept. 28th, 1848.
FIRE.
About 10 o'clock on Tuesday evening last, a fire broke out in the store of O. H. Salisbury & Co. of this village doing considerable damage. As all the goods of the Firm were partially injured, and must be overhauled lo enable us to determine with any degree of accuracy the extent of the loss, we can give no very satisfactory statement concerning it; but from the observations which we were able to make yesterday morning, we think it cannot be less than two—and it may be three thousand dollars. The insurance will doubtless cover the damage.
Had it not been that the citizens rendered prompt and efficient aid in the arresting of the flames, not only the store, but our office occupying the upper story of the building, and also Mr. Salisbury's dwelling house adjacent, must have been consumed. On entering the office to secure our books, the smoke was dense and suffocating. We congratulate ourselves that in the excitement and tumult attending so narrow an escape from total destruction, our establishment was not in the least disarranged—and we are not under the disagreeable necessity of distributing pi.
Nothing is known, of a certainty, as to the origin of the fire.
The German Method of Practice.
Our readers may find in another column an announcement of the hours during which W. F. Deming, M. D., may be consulted at his office; and also of the portion of each day which he will devote to the visiting of patients in their rooms.
It affords us pleasure to be able to state, that this gentleman has established a reputation for skill in the several branches of his profession, among many worthy citizens, and it is believed that he will continue to merit the liberal patronage, which he is now receiving.
He is permanently located in Cortland village.
The Morals of Congress.
The Washington correspondent of the Journal of Commerce says: "There should be two fundamental and irrepealable rules added to the code of the two Houses: First, that on the last night of the session no champagne should be introduced into the committee for the use of the members, and Second, that no money should be appropriated for individuals on the last night of the session.The present license in this respect leads to indecorous quarrels and to an outrageous profusion in the use of the public money."
Remarkable.
Some of our subscribers are actually beginning to pay for their paper! We thought their consciences would hardly allow them to withhold our dues LONGER! It must have been that the ladies have taken the subject in hand and insisted that we shall be paid.
!!!!!!!
Any young gentleman of this village has a perfect right, so far as we are concerned, when taking exceptions to our course in reference to political chicanery, to send us an anonymous communication, mailed at Cortland, abounding in scurrility, and written in a disguised hand—even though he be an –ist, etc.—provided he will have the manliness to pay the postage.
COMMUNICATED.
FOR THE EXPRESS.
WAUKESHA, Wisconsin, Sept. 8, 1848.I have been unable to comply with my own wishes in writing to you for some time—a delay not without an excuse. Since last I wrote I have been in hot pursuit of "our west''—a place wanting an identity and as ever receding as "down east." Though I am here in Wisconsin, which the New Yorkers regard as its locality, yet I am told here that I must go a "long chalk further" before I reach "out west!" And so I really believe, for it seems from the appearance of things that I am yet in the midst of all the privileges, advantages, society, and intelligence of sunny New England and its successful rival—New York. People of the east, who so much dread emigrating to this country on account of their cherished privileges, supposing the like advantages are not found here, are greatly mistaken in regard to the character [of] an enterprise of the west.—They are not aware, nor can they conceive of the wonderful improvements which have been perfected within a few past years.—In comparison it would seem the east had been at a stand still, while here alone the motto has been—excelsior—more lofty in endless scale of improvement.
Where four years ago the first inroads upon nature were hardly begun, now stand smiling villages, full of activity, arisen as it were by enchantment. The fields around are whitened with the fruits of husbandry, and the whole face of the country has the appearance of having been cultivated for a century. This is no exaggeration. It is reality, and though my own eyes see it, I can hardly believe the change.
In this brief letter I shall not attempt to give any thing like a detailed account of what has much interested me. I could not if I should try. To a person traveling here for the first time there are many things which would interest him, in themselves perhaps too small to be mentioned, yet which excite peculiarly agreeable feelings; and since I have been here I have wondered that so many should have such an inkling for traveling in the old world, who are wholly unacquainted with, to them, the unexplored new.
On my way hither I stopped a week in Detroit. That city, though not in the decline, is not improving like most of the western towns. It will ever remain an important point in Michigan, and nothing can well hinder its prosperity. During my stay there the North Western Educational Society held its anniversary. Though not as well attended as could have been desired, yet the exercises were interesting. You are aware that Detroit has ceased to be the capital of the state. That has been removed back into the woods, and the stately edifice which has long been occupied by the legislature is now held by different law givers who, I am confident from personal acquaintance with them, will dispense equally, if not more salutary laws than did their predecessors, recording them on tablets more enduring than parchment—more lasting than marble. But who are these wonderful legislators, you may ask? Who else can they be but TEACHERS?—Yes, Teachers, and they have, to whom to dispense these salutary laws, about five hundred youths of various ages!
The voyage around the lakes is a very pleasant one, if?—well, what if?—why, if you do not encounter a blow, as I was favored with. And then, O, the exquisite sensation of sea-sickness! For may think yourself happy if the apprehensions of other and more fearful dangers, arising from the reeling and tossing of an old unseaworthy boat which it was my misfortune to be found on, do but dispel this most disagreeable nausea. But that danger is over, and sea-sickness has given place to cheerful, flowing spirits, happy countenances, and happier hearts. None but the boat-owners have sustained any injury—they are obliged to pay damages for wet freight from a leaky boat. Thus much for my lake voyage.
The first appearance of Milwaukie is singular—the stately blocks of buildings which have so suddenly arisen, have the appearance of being built of unburned brick. But a closer acquaintance soon undeceives, and you perceive that it is the natural color of a good, hard, well-burnt brick. They are of a beautiful straw color—unlike those I had ever before seen. Milwaukie is doubtless the emporium of Wisconsin. It now numbers about 17,000 inhabitants, when twelve years ago it had hardly a permanent one. The business done there is extensive, and is rapidly on the increase.
The first place of importance west from Milwaukie, is this, from which I write. Its former name was Prairieville. Its name has been changed to that of the county of which it is the shire town. The size of it is about that of Cortland village-—and has doubtless arisen to its height for the present, on account of its proximity to Milwaukie.
I have visited a number of towns west of this, but shall forbear speaking of them in particular. Aztalan occupies the site of an ancient town; some say city. It is about thirty miles west of this, on Rock River, or rather a branch of it. I visited the ancient remains. It occupies a beautiful sight—a gradual slope to the river on the west side. On the summit of the slope, continuing for a half mile is a regular succession of round mounds, increasing in height toward the south. They are from ten to twenty feet in height. These were not formed by throwing up the ground about them, but by bringing the earth from elsewhere, and piling it up here; for on digging down to a level with the ground around, the same rich black soil is found as that around them, while the earth composing them is different and variegated.—But these mounds are not the greatest curiosity. Below, toward the river, are the remains of a wall enclosing a square plot of ground containing about forty acres.—This wall is dilapidated, covered over with earth, and crowned with sturdy oaks, two feet in thickness. Once in every five rods there is a sudden enlargement on the outside. This wall seems to be made of a reddish brick, intermingled with straw, and having no regular shape.
For what purpose these were constructed we can only conjecture. On digging them open, they sometimes find human bones, teeth, skulls, &c. They have also frequently found various utensils, but for what they were intended I was unable to learn.
These relics are of a very ancient origin, and in the estimation of many, they betoken a high state of civilization; but I was unable to discover any thing which, to my mind, would indicate any thing like it. But others may have found more, which if I had seen might have been thus convinced also.
Throughout this country Nature has done her part—it is but for man to do his to render it the garden of America. But it is not enough for him to till the soil—improve the surface. There are still greater responsibilities devolving on him—far nobler duties to perform. Here is also a rich moral and intellectual field to be cultivated; and it is for the present population of Wisconsin to say whether it shall be improved. At present ample facilities are in her possession to provide for the education not only of her present but her future generations. Whether they shall be rendered available, she must determine by her laws—by her administrations. Each sixteenth section of land in each township is for the benefit of schools—the amount arising therefrom to be thrown into a common fund for the benefit of the entire state.
As a state Wisconsin has much to fear from hasty, novel, and eccentric legislation. Already some very peculiar laws have been enacted—all of which might be expected from the character of many of her unfledged law givers. "But there is a chance for doing better—it is hoped she will improve the opportunity. But I must close—hereafter I will have more to say in regard to this matter. So Good-bye.
VIATOR.
Correspondents.
"Viator's" communication will be read this week with interest. Our Cortland correspondent is quite classical and, for a bachelor, seems unusually good natured. This is right; keep up your courage, dear fellow, and you may yet range the Eden of domestic bliss. Your communication will doubtless be appreciated. The "Minstrel's" effusion shall appear in our next [issue].
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