The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1848-07-13
Editorial Correspondence.
KEoKUK, Iora, July 9TH, 1913.

iations. This alone Is provoking enough.
but the matter is still less en1urable when
the dreadful prospect is spread before me
Of spending that day in Keokuk. NV first
impressions Of this delightful place, as the
day was muddy, extended about up to my
knees-but last night came near being
impressed all over with the beauties Of the
place, rs ] nccldcntly stepped from the
wharf boat plank into wha, ough, to have
been the river, but which fortunately prov.
ed half sunken skf. After making two
trips on the Davenport and Mon,rosc pack
Ct kentucky, would advise those of your
citizens DESTROYS Of making a speedy and
comfortable trip toward st. Louis, to take
passage as far IS Nlontrosc on this steamer.
She connects with the packets below,
which is great object. Having been de.
tanned six hours by storm, we missed the
packets this trip. Capt. Ainswor,h is
dcservcdlv popular commander.
Notwithstanding the morning has been
rainy and chilly, ! have pcralnbulated the
hills OF kcokuk 10 my satisfaction. shaken
hands with the Editors, and secured an in-
vitation TO dinner. The last time saw
kcokuk by day ligh, was little over two
years ago. Since then the place has nl-
most improved beyond my knowledge
Certainly | am acquainted with no town
on the Mississippi river growing more rap.
idly than keokuk, or anording stronger ev-
licences of a continuance Of presen, pros
perity. There arc now about three thou
sand inhabitants here, and the number is
rapidly being augmented. Every house j.
occupied, and more are wanted. The peo-
pie IRE actually crowding each other, and
are going on the principle tina, no family
Inns right to keep vacant single room
kcokuk has been held back by disputed
Gums 10 its land, but believe things are
now improving.
The unsigh,ly hills nre now sprnkled
with houses, and others are in course OF
erection. Five or six years back, there
was scarcely half dozen houses OH this
site--now there is small city, which is
fast acquiring importance as place Of bu-
siness. From my observation and cnqui-
rics, tho growth Of Keckuk is Of he althy
character. II is the increase of business
Of the town, which is bringing in the pop
nla,ion-not the emigration alone making
the business. At this point there are two
printing Offices, both Of which appear to be
we'll supported. The inhabitants arc wise
enough to know, that nothing better evil
dcnces to stranger the prosperity Of
town, than the appearance Of its newspa-
pers, and that the right appearance can
only be kept up by the right kind Of sup
port.
But ] am impatient to get AWAY from
keokuk, md if am detained much longer.
shall regret ] did not prolong my yisi, ut
Davenport another week. As pass the
different towns on my way down, the beau
ties Of Davenport are more forcibIy i'm
pressed upon my memory. There can be
no comparison made between your town
and any other on the Mississippi river
With all its dizziness, md am glad even
that objection is being partially wiped away
by the steam mills, have passion for the
spot. visit it with all the pleasure Of ono
returning to the memories and happy real
tiles of home, and leave it like lover
parting with his mistress. There are bu.
few Of you who properly appreciate the
surprising loneliness Of Your home, or the
many clustering beauties which point i,
out TO the strangers eye, rs traveller IL
ding across your pralrics would mark with
delight the flower sprineing up fresh and
beautiful from among the rank grass Of its
home. And how few Of you realize, or nj
least enjoy the fact, that from the bluffs
back Of Davenport is presented a scene un.
surpassed in beauty perhaps, by any in the
country. You are like the people visited
by Nahmoud, the vcraci.y OF whose repre-
sensations has the UNREASONABLE authori.
~ OF book, "Fairy Tales" This people
lived in an earthly heaven or paradise.
where even a fairy might have gone mad
with JOY while winging himself among the
splendid beauties Of the spot. But the in