The Iowa patriot. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1839-1839, 1839-07-25

P"As' SAioSS % CoipOidtlUn under tho
name of town, is not known here. Tb;.
city is situated on the Flint hills so called
a series of nearly perpendicular ledoe.
for the most part rising at once on Tho
river bank to a height of more than HIM
dred feet. At the spot where the .c;,v
stands the river bank forms nearly
crescent and the bluffs retire 500 or foo
feet from the river, and then rise with ,
somewhat gradual yet steep ascent h.
hind high and dry bottom on which tho
lower streets are laid out. The plan of
this town is the same as Fort Madison
It extends mile and half on the roo,
and 3 of mile back from it. Its face !.
cut up with several ravines some va,
others dry, according to the general char.
acter of this country, which is pays des
Caves. It is supposed now to contain
about 1900 inhabitants, having had l2oo
at the taking of the census in June 1928
1t il. the largest town in the territory eY.
cept Dubuque, and perhaps exceeds that
1t has one large church well built If
brick for the Methodists. The private
residences with few exceptions are 4,
present small, incommodious and unsu,.
ed to the climate: as you would expectin
country acquired but six years from the
Indians, and among people accustomed
to live in denial of the luxuries and con.
veniences afforded by commodious and
well built dwellings. 1t is a town d
much business being the port for Des
MONIES, Henry, Jefferson and part of Van
Buren, counties, comprehending a popu
lation of nearly 10000. 1t has three
large brick stores of stories each beside
one other store and four dwellings Of The
same material and some dozen or more
other stores and shops. Two newspa.
pers are printed here weekly.
Dubuque contains the largest popula.
ton Of any town in the territory except
Burlington having as is supposed about
1900 inhabitants. It is seated in the lead
mining region and is from that circum.
stance place of great business. In The
year 1887 the steamboat arrivals and de.
partures to and from this place were III.
Large quantities Of lead in pigs are taken
in here and carried down the river BY the
boats. This town is in the lat. Of the
north line of Illinois, which is the lat. Of
Boston. The only bank in the territory
is in this place and newspaper is print
ed here weekly.
Peru the last of the government towns
is situated about six or eight miles above
Dubuque, on the little Maquoquetois ri |
yer. 1t contains 500 or 600 inhabitants.
There are several points on the river
which are called towns; some Of them
mere paper, and others at best Delphr |
cities. Bloomington about 60 miles above |
this, and Rockingham and Davenport sit
uated near together 25 and 80 miles far. |
Their up, the Chang and Eng, adjoining
townships, but with rivalry greater than /
their fraternal affection, will each in some
future time probably be towns Of some
importance. In fact Davenport must now
be so considered. 1t is very thriving
and handsome village seated at the footd
the Upper Rapids on very advantageous
site and with very beautiful surround
ing scenery. A weekly newspaper is
printed here. Parkhurst, Charleston, Ca
manche, Bellevue, &c. are on the rireE
There are also several inland towns
SO to speak, especially in the southen
portion of the territory. Keosauqua, Ben.
tonsport, Pennington and Rochester o.
Des Moines River; Augusta, Mount Pleas.
ant, Baltimore on Checagua, Wapello on
Iowa, Moscow on Cedar. Keosauquas
new town, important for its situation
and for being the shire of Van Buren-
Augusta is a pleasant village Of some -
or 40 houses. West Point, small and
pretty hamlet, on the prairie. Noun
Pleasant is also one of the most thriving
and promising interior towns and shire o.
Henry.
The old site of Fort Des Moines at the
head of the lower rapids has a few iam
lies who occupy the old barracks and or
ficers quarters, and have called Their es
military position Montrose.
The place for the future seat q g0rI
eminent has been selected on Iowa rlsa'E
1t is at present without house Or lnnan
tant, being an unsurveyed section o. y"
situated on the north bank of the nv
SO miles from its mouth. Itisrepressp
ed as very beautiful site for town
The river is here 80 yards wide aada