Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-04-08
Western Eova.

| We promised our readers descrip-
lion Of Western Iowa, aud we viii now
proceed 10 redeem our pledge.
| This beautiful and fertile country is
ron the extreme Western Froalier of the
white settlements OF what is called the
| Western States. and extends along the
Missouri River, from the Northern line
of the Missouri, in latitude 40 de-
grees 80 minutes North; 10 the mouth oi
Big Sioux River; thence up the Big Sioux
River, until il is intersected by the par
allel of 40 degrees, and 80 minutes
Nor!h latitude.
The surface and soil il diversified
and the general appearance of the coun-
try is beautiful and romantic. /! is a
rolling prairie country, interspersed with
numerous groves Of timber, and abounas
in never-failing springs and crystal
streams, the tributaries OF still larger
rivers, and they, the tributaries >of the
Missouri River. The climste is some
what varied, yet mild Tin view Of its lai-
i.ude, and generally healthy. The gen.
ersl direction Of The large streams of wa
ter, is TO the South west, as they wend
their way to .he Missouri. These
streams and their numerous tributaries,
afford great facilities for Mills aud Ma
chinery of various kinds. The only oh
lection that can be urged ngains, il is
that there is mol az much timber in some
paris as could be wished, yet there is
Sufficient to make il good and delight
iul farming country, and pleasant home
for many thousands of inhabitants. 1t
aboundS in lime stone and Iron ore, and
stone coal has been discovered in many
parts. la short it has mineral resources,
which, if fully developed, would supply
a crowded population.
With these remarks, we will now
drop this view Of the country in gen.
eral view, and commence the description
by counties, rs we promised TO do in DOR
address.
FREMONT COUNTY.
This county is situated in the South
west corner of the State, and is bounded
on the South by The State of Missouri,
OH the Essl by Page county, on the
North by Mills county, and on the West
by The Missouri River, which sepa-
rates i. from Nebraska Territory.
|, contains about $50 square miles,
and 20,Ss0 acres of land. /, is drained
by the Nlsbnabotna, Plumb Creek, High
Greek, Walnut Creek, aad various other
streams, atiordipg great facilities for Mills
and Machinery.
Ii abounds in springs Of pure crystal
wafer; also numerous rivule,s and linn
pid streams, which wander through roll
ing praifics and groves of timber. The
surface is varied, from a dead level along
the Missouri River, forming beautiful
bottom of, from two TO four miles wide;
then rising abruptly from this level plain,
into uneven, and almost Perpendicular
bluffs, VARYING in height, from so to 100
feet, then w;deps cut into a delightful
rolling. dry, and fertile prairie country.
interspersed with numerous groves Of
timber. Tie soil is black loan, vary
ing from two 10 ten feet deep, and is of
exhaustible fertility. |. is one Of the
best liG!bered counties in the western
part Of lie State. and is destine3 TO be
densely populated. There is q large
body of FIRST rate timber along the Mis-
souri river, consisting of cotton wood,
walnut, ash, blackberry, elm, &c.
Along the bluffs, lhere is another large
body Of timber extending through the
county from south 20 north, a distance
Of near 81 miles. There are many 9TH
er groves of less extent, bat equally val
uabte. The timber on the upland con-
sisls of oak Of all kinds Except white
oak. walnut, hickory, elm, blackberry.
cofee-nut, honey-locus., ash. mulberry.
cherry, &c. Along the Hishnabosna
there is maple, GOTTEN wood. &c, &c.
There is an abundance vi lime stone
and other kinds Of stone on Plumb
Creek, and in he bluffs, also in many
other parts Of the county. There IL
extensive beds Of iron ore aud stone coal
in the vicinity of Plumb Hollow, and
We believe. from appearance there is all
abundant supply OF these useful miner
ais for all purposes, TO support large
population. These we have seen, and
know their quality, aad believe them TO
be inexhaussible. There are several
mills in operation in the couaty, and
more being built. There is an extensive
steam saw niill on the Missouri river,
near old For! Kearney, also saw-mill
and grist mill on Plumb Creek; gris'
mill and saw mill on Mill Creek; and
several o:her ssw-miils in successful op
Grafton.
The popuistion is probably over 1000.
Sidney is the county seat.-Gaardta,a
and Sentinel