The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1851-06-21
lrttcr from .loma.
Correspondence Of The Cecil Wing.
FAIRFIELD, Jefferson Co., Iowa, May 81, 81

?. c. RICKETTS,. EsQ. ,-Dcar Sr-Thinking
that few lines from the Prairie Land might
Not be altogether objectionable TO your readers,
even though it is rudcly expressed, have yea
tured TO communicate to you in reference to this
fourishin9 fertile country.
This State is yet in its inlancy-the first SET
Element By the whites was made in 1884. 1t
received the name by which it is known in '36 !:
previous to that date Wisconsin's boundary in
cludcd the Territory now the Commonwealth Of
Iowa.
This town is beautifully situated in the middle
o! broad undularng and beautiful prairie; il is
the county seat ofJeiIatson-- settled in '39,
and contains a population Ct 1900 inhabitants
The buili!ngs arc principally of neal frame,
cottage style-which together with number of
conlpolous brick dwellings and public build
ings, present an inviting appearance to the emil
grant.
The SOC, 900 ncres of land ceded to this State
b. the General Government, for carrying on In
ltt-a} Improvements, has been appropriated by
t.: State for the use of Public Schools. The
l6,h section of every county (6i0 acres,) goes
t0t the support ofcducation. Three buildings
lor public schools have been erected, one at
Iowa City one al Dubuque, and one Ca spacious
ellnce) mile west Of this town; they have re-
ccvei donations from the State, and doubt not
they will receive its fostering care.
The towns bordering on the "father of waters'
have grown up as by the influence of magic-
surprising, as naturally might be expected, the
interior hamlets: though certainly the latter
have no grounds for complaint. Town lots which
could have been bought here years ago at
government prices, .25 per acre, are now worth
from $50 to 500.
oft Bes Moines' situated on that river al
hot ,l,- lal p, c,rl
was abandoned by the Indians in AS, at which
time they left the country adjoining it. Reed
ing from the approach of the pale face, their
march is westward, and poetcally true is the
saying of the "WIford Bard," s9The march of
civilizations 10 them has been the march TO the
grave" 1t now contains 9l5 inhabitants, and
two weekly journals nrc published there.
II is with some difficulty that person visiting
this State from older States, can make n satsfac-
tory location Of government land. Emigrants
come with the impression on their minds that no
obstacles will be in their way, and almost inva-
riably acknowledge they expected to find vacant
lands near the county seats. To all such our
advise is to review their eeography's before leav-
ing home, for in these teleglaphic days-what
was new year ago; is almost sure to be old a
year to come.
Improved lands are worth from IS to 10 per
acre, owing to nature OF improvements and locs
ton; near the county towns they are proportion
ably higher. Government land is very rapidly
being taken up. The leading journals estimate
the number of arrivals at 10000 this spring
some even double that estimate.
Farmers inform me they usually pillow their
corn twice, with which cultivation the crop av-
erages so BUSH, price, from 10 TO % cents; GA is
average crop, from 40 to go bush. per acre, price
from is to 20 cents; wheat from 20 to 30 bushels
per acre, price so to rs cents. Stock ofall kind.
commands high cash price. A No. yoke of
oxen are worth from $50 to $40; horses from $50