EDITOR JOURNAL.—It is proposed by some of our leading citizens to establish a banking house at this place. Our people are giving the movement every encouragemnt, and the probability is that a bank will be in running order in our town before spring.

We are informed that W. J. Stewart has been appointed, by President Grant, postmaster at Williamsville, town of Gilmanton, in this county. This new post office will certainly prove of great convenience to the people residing in the woods, in the vicinity of Alberta and Gilmanton, as they have heretofore been obliged to come to Sauk Rapids for their mail.

We learn from a man who has just returned from Gilmanton, that the store of Mr. Stewart, narrowly escaped being destroyed by fire in the latter part of last week. Sparks falling from the chimney set the roof on fire, and when discovered the flames had made great headway. Prompt action and a good many buckets of water finally subdued the fire. No serious damage was done. At the time of the fire there were several barrels of kerosene and a large quantity of gunpowder in the building.

Prof. Ira Barnum returned from Pennsylvania a few days since. He will open a select school at this place in about two weeks.

The following bonds were approved at the last meeting of the County Commissioners of Benton county, January session:

Sam. Carpenter, Sheriff.
W. H. Fletcher, Treasurer.
J. Carpenter, Court Commissioner.
J. Kenard, Register of Deeds
E. W. Griffin, County Surveyor.
J. Q. A. Wood, County Attorney.
C. G. Wood, bond for retailing liquors,
A. C. Johnson, " " "
J. Homann, " " "
E. B. Abbott, " " "

DOOW RUHTRA