Weekly miners' express. (DuBuque, Iowa) 184?-1849, 1847-09-15
For the Miners Express.
THE NEW PURCHASE.
BY MucII.E.KI-E. NoK.

.t.NeaD Purchaser is q body OF lal occupy
ing the western portion Of our State, and
contains some fifteen or sixteen millions of
acres Of land. It is Watered by some Of our
noblest rivers, among which may be includ-
ed the Des Moines, Skunk. Iowa, Cedar,
White Breast, Charlton, English, und what
is known as the Three Rivers; besdes.ma-
nv inferior streams and branches. 1t should
be reDembered that portion of this coun-
try was occupied bv the Indians as late as
the lltho October. l845-thc stipulated
time for the white man to take possession
OF, and tae red man to bid adieu to the land
of his home and his sres;-he has gone sand
ere his native hills and dales had fided from
his view, the white man had staked cut his
claim, and reared his log cabin. Up tosthe
period of which speak, October As the
whites were not allowed to go farther than
Red Rock, on the Des .Moines; from which
point. beginning at the rock, a.ifne was run
due south tothe Missouri river. and due
northsto the neutral grounds of the Winne-
bagoes. In 1912, Gov. Chambers effected
a treaty, and for the sum eff one million of
dollars. obtained that valuable tract counr,
try, of which l wish to give the reader some
idea.
The .Neao Purchase embraces within it's.
limits the counties Of Wappello, Marion,
Mahaska, Polk, Dallas, Lucas, Keokuk,
Davis, Appapoose. Warren, Wayne, Mar.
shall Story, CLARK. Decatur, Boone, Ben.
ton, Madison, Monroe, Iowa, Pow eshiek,
Tama, and Black Hawk; the greater nuns
Der Of which may be classed amongst the
best counties of our State. l should have
stated, that although the whole of the New
Purchase was bought in 1912, permission
to occupy the whole of it was not allowed
at the same time. On the LIST Of May 1s43.
permission was given to settlers to occupy
the land east of Red Rock; and on the llth
Of Oct. As, that portion lying west Of the
Rock. Ii was my good fortune but a short
time ago, to have the pleasure Of an extern
sive tour throughthe counties Of Wappello,
Warren, Mshaska Warren, and Lucas, and
although had specific object in. view, l
at least made few pencllings BY the way.
The county of Wappelio, Immediately west
Of and adjoining jefferson, is esteemed one
1.-the best counties in the State 1t is mo-
dcrately ro!lng,an possesses an excellent
which runs lin sou1heasterly course thro'
the county; besides several smaller streams,
among which may be enumerated Compa-
tine Greek, which affords some tolerably
good mill sites. The timber is Of an excel
lent growth, and in great abundance. Heavy
settlements are already made along the Des
Moines river bottom; and some Of the farms
would favorablys compare with those Of the
older counties. An excellent road, leading
from Eeoknk to the Racconn Forks, runs
through this bottom for several miles spass-
ing through the fo,ons Of Agency City, OF
tnm" 8. EddYville, lied Rock. sc. Wap-
pc 10 county has increased in population,
with astonishing rapldlty, numbering in the
short space OF four years. upwskds Of 5000
inhabtaDts. Though not gifted with pro-
phetic vision, 10 not think would hazard
much in saying, that. this county WILL be
come one Of the most poPuious in the State;
and when the Dies Moines phal have been
improved BY means OF q slack uufer, she will
contribute her full quantun, OF produce and
fkhrlcs.
4 Oaumwa, the county seat of Wappello,
is situated upon ! he Des Moinee, and con-
tains many good houses, 3 or 4 stores, two
hotels, and several mechanic shops. II he's
a pleasant cite being built against bluff,
which gives it An appearance Of one of our
river towns. 1t is twenty-eight miles from
Fairfield, and 6 from Agency Civ. The
Appanoose rapids are at this place; and it
appears from aeurvey made by MIR. u. Arm
strong, THAT 42,Ou0 cubic feet of water pass
ed over the rapids per minute. The fall Of
these rapids 10 estimated to be a feet in
mile. A large steam grlst and saw mill is
in operation At the present time, and from
what we could ascertain, does profitable
and extensive business. - y
Agency City, s miles from Ottumwa, mas
most picturesque and romantic location,
being eDbosomed, as it were, in the midst
OF beautiful groves Of timber, and,surround-
10y many highly cultivated farms. Had
the traveller passed by this place years a.
60, instead Of the smiling village that he
now beholds, he would have seen the rude
wigwam Of the Indian, and its no less rude
occupant. This place was chosen by Gen.
Street, the former Agent Of the Sacs and
Foxes, as an Indian Agency and trading
Spo {, and certainly more desirable location
could not have been chosen. At. about half
O mile from the town, and upon the premises
Of tho Street family, reposes the remains of
the celebrated Indian chief Wappello -
There, side by side wlth,the accomplished
and cultivated white woman. Mrs, Beach,
the daughter Of Gen. Street rests the
.had, upon more than one occasion, aroused
the dropping hopes of his tribe. A neat mar
BILE vault is placed over his remains, at the
head OF which ls > pole,driven in the ground,
and decorated with stripes Of red and black
paint. The following inscription is engra-
ted upon the marble slab: In memory Of
lYappetlo, principal chief OF the Sacs and
Foxes; born at Prairiesdu CHEN about the
year I7o7. Died near the forks Of Skunk
RIVER March 10TH, lo42." This stone was
erected BY the Sac and Fox nation. Wap-
.peilo was held in high estimation BY his
tribe, and he is said TO have possessed many
good traits OF character; at the same time
he was q terror to hostile tribes, and q great
warrior Witball. Agency City contains 3
stores. two groceries, four doctors, several
lnechanicaIs shops. and a number of substan-
-tial dwelling houses. 1t is three miles from
the Des MONIES river, and twenty sf1ol,
Fairfield, in Jefferson county.
Eddyoitie, is situated in the extreme N Z
vvs:corner Of Wappe;lo county, and iInme-;
diatsly upon the lett bank OF the river. II
ID q thriving little town, and contains some
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