Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-03-07
NAVIGATION OF THE DIES
MONIES

Iowa, know that the Des Noines is its
principal river. Rising in the north cast
corner of the State, it runs south cas-
terly direction and empties into the Mis-
sissippi at the extreme south east corner;
thus traversing the entire State distance
of some three hundred miles. From
the source to the mouth of this river the
land on either side is abundantly supplied
with valuable timber, of every variety
several kinds Of Oak, Walnut, Sugar.
maple, Linn. Cherry, DC, supplied with
an abundance of water, pure and mex
haustible, from springs, brooks, creeks
and rivers--rich beyond comparison in
mineral wealth, iron, coal and plaster
unequal!ed in its fertility, and in short,
distinguished for all those qualities which
render land desirable and valuable for
occupation, and cultivation.
As may well be supposed, a very large
proportion OF this land, especially from
the mouth TO Fort Des Moia:s, dis
lance Of two hundred miles, has been
purchased from the government, and is
! already in a high state of CIVILIZATIONS;
yielding annually an amount Of produce
almost defying the power of computa-
ton. Upon the banks of this stream,
and of its ributaries-many Of which
afford immense hydraulic power, in the
country adjacent a large number of
towns and cities have grown up
keokuk the emporium of Iowa, is si,u-
sted at or near its mouth. ST. Francis
vile. twelve miles above is a place Of
considerable trade. Croton and Athens,
some twenty miles from the mouth, are
new bu, growing places, the latter hav-
ing an extensive Touring mill and other
machinery. Pennington twenty-five
miles from the mouth, is one of the
oldes. towns upon the river, containing
some 500 inhabitants. This town has
also very extensive Touring establish
men., and an important trade. Bona
parte, six miles above, is a growing,
business place. celebrated also for lis
mandatory Of -four. Bentonsport, 3
miles above. has also two very large
merchant mills, steam mill and paper
mill in the course of erection, and other
manufacturing establishments. Keosau.
qua nine miles above, and fifty miles
from the mouth, is the county seat of
Van Buren, county, with some fifteen
hundred Inhabitants, and rapidly in
creasing population. She has two wa
ter, and four steam mills, and cores
ponding mercantile and manufacturing
interest. Iowaville, twenty miles above
this place, is place of considerable
trade. and has one Of the largest steam
Touring, saving and distilling establish
ments in Iowa. Agency City, twelve
miles above, is place Of very consider
able importance, situated three miles
from the river. Onumwa, eight miles
above, and on the river, is the county seat
of Wapello county, and place of ex-
tensiye business and growing importance,
with produce, dealers, manufactures,
mills and machinery of every kind
Eddyville fifteen miles above, is grow
ing city. of no small importance, and a
place of trade for large tract of coun-
try. Red Rock. forty miles above, is
doing the business OF large space of
very rich and productive country. Fl.
Des Moines, two hundred miles from
the mouth of the river, and which is Ger.
tain, soon 10 become the capitol of the
state, may be regarded as destined to al
SO become the great inland emporium Of
the state, and is already place of ex-
tensive trade; and may already be regar-
ded as first in importance on the river.
We have omitted in this enumeration
many places upon the river that are do.
ing considerable business, and wholly
omitted large towns near the river whose
places of shipment would be the towns
upon her banks. aaa
From this imperfect synopsis, howev-
err Of the present business Of the Des
Moines Valley some estimate can be
made of the immense loss; of the meal
cuable amount Of damage which annual.
ly occurs, to the citizens Of these vari-
Gus places, and 0: the adjoining country,
in consequence of the artificial obstruc-
lions that now destroy the navigation of
the Des Moines river. And we humbly
hope that it will secure some attention to
what we propose to add with reference
to the removal of those distractions, and
the restoration of that great highway, TO