| 377 It almost seemed at one time that fever as an epidemic had fastened upon the community, and we can hardly say that we are safe; but houses where it had rested are now free, and it is hoped permanently so; and strong hopes are now held that the tide has had a favorable turn.
What may be the cause of this sickness, none can tell. In some instances families that have lately moved in are afflicted, numbers of them in the same house; and in other cases, those attacked have been here for years. Nor does it appear that locality is chargeable, as the high and the lowlands alike are visited; however, this may be said, that in well-ventilated rooms and cleaner surroundings, the fever is lighter than in close rooms and less cleanly places.
These conditions, with the unprecedented bad weather and wet, bad roads, have made the opening weeks of the office sojourn at Lamoni unpleasant. But the pleasant situation of our new office; its completeness of detail, and suitability for the purpose designed, the fact that the Herald is better placed for usefulness to the cause, and in a region where the people may more appropriately gather and settle together, make cause for increased encouragement and satisfaction.
One thing that we sincerely regret, that the great curse of society, the traffic in intoxicating liquors has followed the settlement at Lamoni. The work on the railway, the newness of the country, the changing of the wagon routes from Davis City to Eagleville through the village, the settlement of others besides Saints and strictly temperate people, led some one to open a saloon almost as soon as the town was laid out; and it is with shame-facedness that we pen it, the open countenance that some "called to be Saints" gave; together with the tacit aid and comfort that others afforded prevented the check that the better class of those belonging to the church and those not members would have given it. There was one place where wine and beer were ostensibly sold; but where drunkards were made by that which was sold. Some time before our arrival here, an effort to incorporate was set on foot, and a decree from the court authorizing the holding of an election, at which the question of incorporation was to be voted upon was issued. In pursuance of this notice an election was held December 19, at which those favoring incorporating under the village laws of Iowa, were to vote "For Incorporation," and those opposing were to vote "Against Incorporation;" and we are sorry to record that on that day the vote against incorporating prevailed by forty-seven to twenty-five, a majority of twenty-two. The reasons why we are sorry for this result are, that we have good reason to believe that it was by the vote of those belonging to the church in sufficient number to carry, they voting with those selling and in favor of the traffic, while they would have us to believe that they were opposed to such sale; and further, that we then saw and now see no way in which the vote direct as to the sale of intoxicants, or its suppression, can be had here until incorporation is effected, that such vote may be authorized. It may be that those of our brethren who voted against incorporation did not consider
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