New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-08-31
IOWA.
The Des moibes valley.

Tnursdsy, fuly "a, 1853. !
The valley the Des Moines s on account of its
cent settlement a. yet 90 comparatively unknown at the
Eas that brief description of ts situation, soil and
general advantages may prove beneficial to those who
are Of exchanging the quiet life Of older States
for the exciting, active and varying scenes Of the
Wet
The river from which this beautiful valley takes its
name rises in the southern part OF Minnesota and
oag Day through the center of Iowa TO the south east
ern corner Of the State where ii emptes into the Mis-
sissppi From Fort Des Mones to it's mouth it varies
from one to two hundred yards in width and 10 dstn
uished for its clear, bright waters its regular slOpng
banks with here and there some lofty bluff rich in In
dian legends while on either side stretch away a. far AZ
the eve can reach green meadows gemmed with flowers
and tall groves Of oak ard walnut form landscape as
beautiful as though it we're the result of art.
The Des MOines 10 now navigable during the spring
months and after the present will probably be
during the greater part Of the year.
The valley extends some thirty miles in width on either
side and has already many fOurishing villages the most
prominent Of which keokuk, Pennington, Fairfield,
Osksoosa aud Fort Des MONIES.
The latter place is situated near the center OF the
State at the junction Of the Des MONIES with the Rae.
coon which rises i, the Walled Lakes nearly hundred
miles above and although it only abandoned by the
Indians 80 recently az 1916, numbers thou
sand inhabitants and with the advantages which 1t de-
rives from its central situation, which makes II point In
the lines of railroads from East and South its being the
head Of navigation and the trade which drains down
from the rich valleys above il will be at distant day
one Of the greatest inland cities of the West
The productions of the valley the as those Of
the Northern and Middle States though they are OBJ
tanned 10 much greater prousOD and at much less
pence Wheat averages from IL 25 bushels per acre.
corn from 20 TO 1885, potatoes from $50 to 400 oats from
Al Co. and the expense Of raising the first three from
the seed 10 the granay 10 respectively TO- and cents
per bushe This expense will seem small TO those Inv
ing in ess favored localities but they take into cOnsld
GRAFTON that this 10 virgin soil varying from four to
seven feet in depth and free from stones stumps and
weeds, they will readily account for II. The soil 10
equs lily good the upland and bottom and lie favorable
for grapes apd fruits Of all kinds and produces melons,
potatoes and other Injuries equal TO those Of Long
lsland or New-Jersey.
The short winters and the extensive range for pasur
ace make this VI the most desirable countries for
raising stock. The cost Of raising horses until three
years old s estimated at SIS Of mules So and other
Anmals in like proportion Already the best Durhsns,
Sunolks and Mernoes Of the Evst have been imported
into Polk County an Agricultural Society established
and interest taken in agriculture that is not eIceed
elsewhere,
The superiority of this other Western States ia
easily by the fact that while land is comparatively
low there yet thousands yearly emigrang from there
lhther.
Counties on the Des Mones which five years AGO were
unipbabed, have a large surplus Of grain cattle
and hogs for sale. This well shows the difference be
tween this and the Eastern States In the latter the
slow and tolsome proce" Of grdins would hardly, in
the same time have cleared patch large enough to
raise grain sufficient for home consumption, and years
would elapse before there would be surplus br
market
The consideration of health, which is important {.
every one and especially to those having family depeu
dent on them for support is another prominent
for mms grafton here As distinguished resident phys
clan has remarked The climate is remarkably salubr
Gus and pestientis and epidemic diseases almost
entirely unknown Ii is noted for its pure air and
dry clear atmosphere and the returns show it
equal in point of health TO Florida, which the same
causes have rendered poted for nvalds But
little snow falls The winters are about two months
shoer than in the ATTITUDES in Eastern States aud
the continual breezes from the south west render the
summer heat much less oppressive than there.
Notwithstanding il is well favored with all the ele
ments Of agricultural wealth il is rich in minerals also
The whele valley sboanjs in bitumnous coal Of excellent
quality Two Companies are already engaged in mining
and conveying il TO the Mississippi and handsome profits
rewsrdng their enterprise Gypsum is found short
distance above Fort Des MoiDes in lodges of miles in
length varying f;om ten 10 twenty feet in thickness
Iron and Copper have also been found in the Mineral
Ridge above.
The Counties adjacent to Fort Des Mopes Oh the
north and west have increased from fifty one hundred
per cent within the last year. and cultivated farms and
Villages and schools and churches occupy the SPOT
where only years age assembled the smoke OF the wig
wan and herds and focks are grazing on Geld,
then the pasture ground Of the elk and deer The ad
vanages of this country have here drawn together men
Of energy courage and enterprise from nearly every
section Of the Union, though principally from the North
ern Middle and Western States. A more Industrious
population cannot be found AL are busy. for every
mans services called into requisiton, be they what
they may provided they are useful
better indication Of its character be asked
than that afforded the returns OF the last Census which
shows the numbers Of paupers in the entire State to be
only forty four and the majority of those are 70 be found
in the towns bordering on the Mississippi
The inducements for location here unsurpassed By
those of any other section ofhe Union The prvations
and bardshps which are usually considered as incident
TO Western life do not exist here. The inhabitants are
veil supplied with al the necessares and comforts and
with many OF the luxuries 0flife.
The Des MONIES Valley 10 already attracting the 81.