The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-12-20
Original Correspondence.
Correspondence Of The Cecil Wing.
MOL Letters 1r0its The west.

kioKUK. Iowa, Dec. lth, 1Sjl
keohnh-hs past. ir'scn 0ni Jninrc-Chanrc
for apitaIias-fnterpa-R enfy-- " .s'e,m Pco-
pie Their MeiHgencc--Thc Weather, &c.
This city is named after KeoEuk who was
appointed chief Of the Sac, or Sank nation in |
1929 or 1890 on the death of old Quashquamc. d!
the former chieilain. Ii is about 27 miles above
st. Louis. and is situated on bold bluff near
the mouth of1he Des Mones river. and at the
foot of the Lower Rapids of the Mississippi. In
1910 few traders huts and Indian wicwams
were scattered along the rivers edge; in 1876
small village with a population of 800 stood.
where keokuk now stands with over 1000 in
hahllantS. During the last few years the city
has had many difficulties TO contend against
the titles of much ofthe land in and around
it were in dispute, and great uncertainty ex-
i:tri in regard Il the Improvement Of the DcS
Moines river; but happily il las overcome
them ALL Within the few past weeks the dis
putcd liabilities have been legally adjusted
the ''grant' from the General Government for
tine improvement of the Dcs Moiucs has been
obtained, and nothing can now relar, TIE growth
of Ke"kuk-hcr future course is onward and
upward. An elevated ridge of tabe-lanl, (call-
ed the "Divide,') runs through the State. turn
ing the waters east of it into the Mi,sissippi
and those west OF it into the Missouri. Thi.
ridge forms one Of the SmoOlhcSt and finest roads
i'll the wcr!I for conveyance of merchandise and
pro luce to and from the interior Of the State
and terminating nj Keokuk. must in conjunction
with the DeS MONIES river render'it the Gate of
lowa-thc point OF shipment for the produce of
the whole State, much OF that OF Illinois. and
consequently the largest town in Iowa, if not
the largest on the Upper Mississippi. To be
sure ii is yet IN Il state of iniancv-the street.
are unpaved and MISUNDERSTANDING Of the houses
ar" rough, haSlily-put-rp concerns. anl stumps
fiji tb" vacant LOIS; but everything is going
ahead with perfect rush. Many fine brick
buildings lave gone up recently, many more
going up, and turn which way YOU will YOU
can see urays and wagons loaded with produce
and merchandise crowLng the streets and IN
every side hear the clnng OF the hammer, the
rush Of line saw and the ring Of the anvil, re-
leved only by the shrill whistle of the steam
boat a she approaches the lcvee to Discharge
her cargo Of freight and passengers. You NAV
think am little enthusiastic and have drawn
you an exaggerated picture; but assure YOU
Lave not. In confirmation of my statements let
IN" refer YOU TO the census returns of the State
Of Iowa since her settlement. In 1893 the frs,
regular settlement, in the then Territory. wa,
made at Burllnston-in 1896 the population had
increased 10 10 ,530-in 1910 to 10 600, and is
now about 1875 600, with regular food of en-
lErants pouring INTO the State, so that no one can
imagine, with any accuracy, what the popula-
ton 0! Iowa will be in ten years more.
But to return to keok ul--what it ut pres
ent needs is capitals and never was there a bet
ter place for the capitalists to invest. Does he
wish to buy city lots! he can do So and rest as
sured they will increase in value every day.
Does he wish to purchase lands? he can get
thousands of acres at from 81 to $40 an acre,
which IN two years will sell for SIS and $50.
Does he wish to lend money? There are no
absurd and unjust usury laws in force, and mon
ey commands from 10 to 25 per cent by the year,
ana IRON 8 TO per cent month for shorter
times. This may appear eXorbtant interest TO
you; but II is the fact nevertheless, for speak
knowingly on the subject, and can find Won bust
ness men willing to give per cent a month for
money TO invest in their business. Whether
they are justified in giving such interest am
not prepared to say; but if they invest in houses
think they are; the supply of buildings not be-
ing adequate TO the demand, and rents are enor-
mousy high. For my office Gan upstairs room
10 by 20 fly pay So u month, while the room
below me, the same size, rents for 50 a month
But a short time ago | saw lot, nearly out of
town, with a miserable cabin on it sold for $50.
yet this same cabin brings $50 year rent.
The impression prevails in the east that the
western people are a set of half civilized.
rough, uneducated beings, but if those who
have adopted such notions and ideas will
come here they will find themselves wofullv in
error. To be sure there are many rouob crs-
toners in lowa-persons from all Quarters of rho
globe; but taken in the whole you will find as
noble, warm-hearted, intelligent and enterpris- |
ing a race Of men and women as any oftbe eost- |
ern States boast. Look at Kcokuk alone. do