Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-06-14
A Bird's-Eyc View Of the Des
MOincs Valley.
fcoNTrNuEp.l

TiCuituTcs duu IiduufdCtoIiTS uidh hO oOS-
ton of country embraced in the limits
Of Marion. The prairies are high and
rolling, water is abundant, and there is
sufficiency of good timber for building,
fencing, &c.
Knoxville is the county seat. 1t is
quite thrifty village, situated on COM
handing spot, in prairie, some Z miles
south of the Des Moines River. Red
Rock and Bennington are thriving villa
ges. handsomely located on the Des
I Moines. Pella is also in this county
tits situated on beautiful prairie, on the
main road leading from Keokuk to Fl.
Dies Moines in Polk county. 1t was
laid out by colony of enterprsing and
industrious Holanders, some three years
since. AT the head Of whom stood the
Rev. Mr.. Scholte, as President of the
colony. These men fled from in,oler-
ance and oppression al home to the beau
tiful prairies of Iowa; where they can,
"under their own vine and fig tree"
worship God according to the dictates of
their consciences, without fear of moles-
tation. This colony own the lands "a
round Pella for some distance, which are
enclosed and in cultivation. The pros
porous appearance in all around this de-
lightful village is evidence of the indus
try, frugality and thrift. OF these people,
and we regard this as valuable acqui-
sition to the population of the country.
Hamilton and Amsterdam are newly
laid out towns, but at no distant day will
rank among the most prosperous villages
in the Valley. A large portion of the
lands in Marion have been entered and
settled upon. Last year over $4,000
acres were entered. Population about
$500.
i WARREN is Immediately west Of Ma
rion. This a very new county, and the
attention of emigration has only been di-
rected to it within the last year. The
lands lie well for cultivation; and timber
is more abundant than in most of the
counties in the State. A part of the ia
nous three river country is embraced in
the limits of this county. Indianolo is
the county seat. Its location for health
and convenience is good and it will make
a fine town. A large portion of the
lands are yet unsold, and this, with seve-
raj of the surrounding new counties, hold
out many inducements to settlers with
limited means, to procure home and
and an dependence.
JASPER county lies north of Marion
and Mahaska. This is fine county.
Although new it already has popula-
ton of near two thousand souls. The
prairie and timber is well situated, and
convenient for opening and improving
farms. A considerable portion of the
lands are entered, and some of the finest
farms in the Valley are to be found in
this county. N ewton is the county seat
and like the country around il keeps pace
with the rapid march of improvement
which is going on throughout the length
and breadth of this beautiful Valley.
Polk lies west of Jasper. The new
Sac and Fox Agency, and Fl. Des
Moines was built in this county by the
U. S. and a company of U. S. Dragons
was stationed in the Fort as long as the
Indians remained in this State. The
Fort and Agency formed nucleus a.
round which settlements sprang up with
great rapidity; and no county in the Val.
ley has attracted more general attention
both at home and abroad. The county
is well watered, and good timber is abun.
dant. The prairie and bottom lands are
very productive. Fl. Des Moines is the
county seat. Ii is fourishing business
town of some 600 or 500 inh abilants, is
beautifully situated between the North
and Rackoon Forks of the Des Moines
River. There are two newspapers al
this place: the Gazette (whig,) and the
Star Coco.) There are some 10 or IL
saw and grist mills in the county. Pop
ulation about 5000. The lands are in
market, and large portions of them have
been entered for actual settlement. This
will be populous and wealthy county;
and from the central position of the CO.
seat in the State, there is but little doubt
but that, at some future day it will be the
Capital of this noble young State.
MADISON county has fine body of ar
able land; is well iimbered and watered,
and presents many inducements TO set
tiers. This is one Of the new counties,
and only recently settled. Winterset,
/ the conntvi seat is handsnnoeIv located