Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1844-09-20

MuscArINE AS she IS BY NATURc-As She
"a nv SprcrLArioN-HER FUTuRe DESTINY,
&c.-Confined, as we have been, TO the cor
porate limits of our town, as II were, seldom
leaving unless business called US away. we
have for your years been resident OF the
county, without beholding, until lately. much
Of it's natural beauty. Long ere we chose
this place as the theatre for The future acts IN
our dramatic life, we had heard much said Of
its natural advantages, the fertility Of its SOIL
the beauty Of it's scenery. &c. but we have
been stranger TO much Of II, from personal
observation, until lately. When we were
little red-headed urchin, we recol!sct chris
,ian mothers pointing out for our perusal'
chapter in The Old Testament, commencing
with "A good name is more precious man
rold." &c, an assertion which none will dis
pu,e, but these two most precious things, so
highly priced, have been the greatest Of all
drawbacks 10 the growth and prosperity Of
the county. and the town, likewise. as ma
tural consequences. This we shall endeavor
10 euOW W uuucuoo'O loS'"'
On the afternoon of Monday last, at the
solicitation Of friend from ST. Louis, we
consented to accompany him on visit to our
mutual friend, Hugh Doran. as clever son
Of the Emerald Isle as America can boast Of
numbering among her adopted children. resi-
ding about nine miles above this place, on the
tributaries Of Pine river. A drive Of twenty
minutes took us into district Of country new
e. before beheld by US. After passing the
farm Of Mr.. Gilbert. a short distance above
Mad Creek. we entered district Of country
as delightful as the heart could desire. or the
imagination picture, which continued as far
az we journeyed, IN the wild and natural state
in which it came from the hands Of the great
Architec. Of the Universe, with the exception
Of two or three beautiful farms On the road.
and others 10 be seen in the distance, in the
Chambers settlement. We have frequently
heard Of the beauty Of this part Of our coun-
". but every description Of it. which we have
ever heard, falls far short Of the reality. Its
natural beauty, or its susceptibility Of being
rendered beautiful by that art only which is
requisite TO make a good farmer, was never
imagined by us until we heheld it.
Were q stranger 10 pass up and down the
fivers Of the west,--,hrough the States Of
Ohio. Indiana, Michigan and Illinois. every
day beholdlng farms opened ca swampy and
heavy ,imbered bottoms. billy clay lands afar
off from depot or market for the expectation
OF sale Of their surplus products, and then
travel over our county, the query would ma.
,uralIy rise up in his own mind, upon behold.
ing this cou6try, Why are the swampy bot
toms Of tue western rivers, and the broken
clay hills Of the interior. cleared and cultiva-
ted. while country SO rich and beautiful, so
convenient to all the markets of this mighty
river. and ,hroughis to all the world, is SUI.
fered to remain in it's natural, wild state ~
We can answer ,ha, question. The "good
name" which the geographical position Of
Bloomington gave to il in short time after
the public lands hereabouts were offered for
sale, attracted the attention Of spec ulasors--
hear,less speculators-who worship their gold
rs the christian does his God-and they came
or sent their agents. and purchased extensive
trac,s Of the best farming lands in the west,
which they still cling 10. unwilling to sell an
acre. unless they obtain an enormous advance
npon ito cost, or laziness and poverty eombin.
Cd, compels them 10 sell or suffer want.
rh;s - thu ,oaeou svhv an murh nf thu
country around our town is unimproved, in it's
natural state. But for this cause, our county
would now contain three times it's present
population, and upon The roadside Of the nine
division Of eighty acres, nigh: now be seen
the splendid mansion, the more humble cot
tage, or The humber log-cabin Of the squat.
ser, all tending to increase The wealth. bust.
ness and activity Of our county, and conse-
quently Of the town. The district Of which
We have made mention, stands no. aloue in
this respect. In every direc,ion-on every
road leading 10, OF street OF alley runrung
through our town, wild weeds poin, out vari-
Gus spots owned by the misery specula.or.-
We speak not at random-we know the truth
Of what We are saying.
We are confident that We are speaking with.
10 the bounds Of truth when we say THAT but
for specula.ofs entering the choice lands in
our county. il would now contain three times
lie present population. Spectators hold on
10 their lands with such avidity, tina. none bu,
the wealthy are able 10 purchase, consequent
y the great mass o. emigrants are compelled
to 60 back into the interior, where the specu.