Hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1843-1845, 1843-12-07

with Deer and Elk, and Buffalo are fire.
quently found in large droves during the
summer months, but in the winter they
travel over towards the Missouri River.
The west fork Of the Raccoon fork, heads
about fifteen miles from Boyer Lake, lake
about ten miles long and six miles wide,
which is the head Of Boyer river, stream
that empties into the Missouri river. There
are several very large bottoms on the
Raccoon fork, which will make some of the
best farms that the world can produce. Bea-
yer and Otter have been very numerous on
the Raccoon Fork, but have been nearly
all TRAPPED out by the PotoWatomies-a very
enterprsing tribe of Indians. The prairie
ON the Neutral Ground, is not more than
twelve or fifteen miles wide between the
Raccoon and Des MONIES timber. There
are numerous banks of stone coal on the
Raccoon Fork. This Fork will be navi-
gable for fiat or 3eel boats in the spring
Of the year for sixty or seventy miles from
its mouth.
There are several beautiful streams emp
tying into this fork, among which, is Otter
Creek, which is large enough to run mill
three fourths of the year, it is very rapid
stream, land has rocky bed which enhances
its value very much on account OF tie con-
venience and ease that dams can be- con-
structed, fer il is not unfrcguently the case
that rock enough can be gathered at one
rifle to make good and sufficient mill dam
across the stream There are several 9TH
er streams large enough TO run mill from
half to three iourths Of the year, emptying
into the Raccoon Fork, OF which Sugar.
Walnut and Swan Creeks, may be consider
ed the largest, and best adapted for mills.
These Creeks are not only valuable for mill
ing purposes but are valuable on account
Of the timber situated upon their banks, for
it must be borne IN mind, that timber is
seldom found in these parts where there is
not a running and living stream of water.
The timber on the Raccoon Fork generally
is Of the best quality, the poorest and most
scrubby timber is near its mouth. For five
or six miles from its mouth the timber is
nearly all oak, and quite scrubby and the
underbrush is very thick. This Fork un-
like any other fork Of the Dcs Moines below
the Neutral Ground. joins the main river
in the prairie, and person travelling on
the Des Moines would not be aware OF be-
ing in the vicinity Of u large fork Of the
river from any thing that he could discover
in the make Of the country either below or
above the mouth Of this fork. The prairie
sets III on the west side Of the river, about
three miles above the mouth Of the Raccoon
Fork, and continues for four or Ave miles be-
low that fork. There are d few trees about
half mile, above the fork, but nothing
that can be called with any degree Of pro-
pricty timber. The Prairie at the mouth OF
this fork is very beautiful and | need rot
say very rich as have before said that all
the prairie in this section of country is of
the best quality. There is a small grove or
timber on the east side Of the Des Moines.
directly opposite the mouth Of the Raccoon
Forks containing about u section Of land
In this grove Messrs Ewing & Co., have
built their trading house. About a mile
below this grove there is another small
grove contui ing about three hundred acres.
in which Mr. Phelps has erected trading
house. With the exceptions Of the groves
above spoken OF there is one continual
prairie on both sides of the river from about
three miles above the Raccoon fork to u
large island in the river about five miles
below the iork/ ! he new Indian Agency
House, is built in the vicinity of the Rae
coon Fork, but as | have not been there
since its erection, cannot say at what par
tcular point, but | suppose that it is at the
upper grove above mentioned near Ewing's
trading house.
FoRT RAccooN, is built on the west side
Of the Des Mones, just above the mouth Of
the Raccoon Fork. Some people suppose
that the Seat Of Government of the STATE
OF Iowa, will be located on the Des Moines
at the mouth oil the Raccoon Fork, and if
the squandering Of the public money in the
shape OF Forts and Agency Houses, and the
eyert;ons of those interested at this Mace /
will have any influence in procuring its To-
cation at that point it may be located there. |
But il | were permitted, should guess that
it would be located higher up on the Des
Moines, for several reasons, among which
are first; there isa greater quantity Of tim
Der on the river at almost any point above
the Raccoon Fork and below the Neutral
Ground than at the mouth of the Raccoon,
or at any other point or section below that
Fork. Secondly,i it is a much prettier coun-
try, and better watered, and thirdly, it is a
more central point. Some may think it
merely idle talk to talk about the seat Of
government Of this Territory or State ever
being removed from it's present location I!
Permit me to say to such that in my opin-
ion it will be removed in less than fifteen
wears, and should it not be done 10 twenty,
they may reckon me among the host Of false
prophets. l.. w. b.
A Good Match..-'How has your daugh.
ter married, Mrs Simpson Pretty we'll
hope
Very we'll, thank you, Mrs Tompkins.
Her husband wears ruffles on his shirt, a