Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1850-05-31
1 Bird's-eye View OF the Des
MOincs Valley.

This delightful, healthy valley, which
is attracting SO much attention abroad,
is situated in the Southwestern part Of
Iowa. Il is several hundred miles in
length, by about go in width, and wash
ed through its entire length by the Des
MONIES River, beautiful stream possess
ing any quantity of water power, and
navigable for steamboats, Of small size
portion of the year, as high up as Fl.
Des Moines, which is situated 900 miles
above the mouth.
Lee county lies Immediately in the en-
trance Of the valley, and fronts its entire
length on the Mississippi River. II is
the most populous county in the State,
has fine body of rich, rolling land, an
abundance of timber, and is well adap-
ted to agriculture. The greater part Of
the land is entered, and in a high state of
cultivation. The courts are held alter
nately at Fl. Madison, and Keokuk.--
The former is beautifully situated on the
Mississippi. and is fourishing business
place. The latter is young city of
rapid growth, eligibly situated on the
Mississippi, at the foot of the Des Moines
Rapids, and two miles above the mouth
of the Des MONIES River, and is the
princip al business place for the valley.
Next 10 Lee, is Van Buren, county
The lands in this county. are mostly en-
tered; population about 900; the coun-
ty seat is Keosauqua, handsomely stu.
ated in large bend of the Des Moines
River. This place was for number of
years retarded in growth by the uncer-
tainty where the boundary line between
Missouri and this State would be finally
fixed; but since it has been decided so
much to the advantage of Iowa. and par
ticularly to Keosauqua, this town has
commenced to improve rapidly. There
are several other very fourishing villa
ges in this county, among whichare Far
mington, Bonaparte, Bentonsport, VIM
chester, Birmingham, Pittsburgh and
Iowayille. The latter place is hand
somely situated on the Des Moines, near
the Wapello county line, and is place
of quite business appearance.
Jefferson county joins Van Buren,
II is fine county, and not surpassed by
any in the Valley in its agricultural adj
vantages. Fairfield is the county seat; a
place of much business and promise; the
United States Land Office is located at
this place. Libertyville, also, situate d
on the main divide, between the waters
of The Des Moines and Cedar creek, is
fine eligible location for town. The
place is young yet il presents quite a
business appearance. The Plank Road
leading from this place to the MISSISSIPPI
pi River, IA portion of the capital stock
Of which is paid in,) passes through this
place. The population of jefferson CO.
is about 5000.
| Davis. on the South side Of the River,
is the next county. The emigration to
this county the past year has been equal
if not greater than to any county in the
valley, and more land has been entered
in il than in any county in the State, du-
ring the last IL months. About one hall
of the lands are entered. The county
seat, Bloomfield. is a fourishing village.
Drakesville, is also promising village.
| This is one Of the finest counties in the
valley, and will ultimately be one of the
most wealthy and populous. It's pres.
ent population is about 5000.
4 The general face of the country in
these counties is level. The pralries are
not very large, and timber is generally
convenient for fuel, and building pnrpo
ses. Stone coal OF good quality, ane
in great abundance is found in all these
counties, and there is but little doubt tina
al no distant day this coal will be very
valuable, as this will some day be :
|; manufacturing district.
J, All the grains usually grown in ths
: Western States yield abuadantly in these
counties, and the amount of corn produ-
ced per acre is very large. j is flint
wool growing country, and hemp am
; tobacco grow very large and rank. Ma
ny are of opinion that pork and hemp
will be the staple products of Iowa.
In the cause of Education, these coun
ties have made rapid advance. Although
yet in the infancy of settlement, they
/ have fourishing Male Academy at Far
mington. Van Buren, CO.; Female Sem
mary, under the management Of the Rev