Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-10-14
JaaRt Through the Prairies.

4.
4 JaaRt Through the Frairics.
few days since, we engaged in n sort of
"wld goose chase" through the prairies.-
Starting out on the Upton road. we passed
many fine farms and beautiful residences.
Among them were those Of Messrs. Kerr,
Little, and Iddings, just few miles out of
town. These are new improvements, but Of
substantial and tasty character. Passing
on FIVE or six miles over beautiful prairie,
we came to Mosquito creek, near which are
many large and well cultivated farms
Next we crossed Mud creek "a dark, turpid
looking stream, skirted with heavy timber.
Half mile farther, through thick timber,
we came to Otter creek, a beautiful little
stream. Here we seen specimens Of the real
maple or sugar trees, which we have rarely
met in our travels through Iowa.
Approaching Sugar creek near the site of
Whittlesey's mills, but diverging from it,
we passed through small prairie, then a
neck OF woods, and, as the sun was sinking
into the western horizon, prepared to strike
out through.a long prairie in the direction
of Poston's Grove. Refining up in front Of
ahouse where We observed an old German
chopping wood, we inquired the route and
distance to Poston's Grove. Calling to his
assistance his son Hnuns, we were directed
to ego round de field till we come to de
cabin NIT de roof caved in,'' where we
would come to road, and ssfollow dat roat
till we come to ona turning to the left, but
let dat 60, and follow de right hand roat."
We were also informed that it was about
eight miles to the Grove. Following these
satisfactory instructions, we plunged into
the vast expanse of golden husd grass.
Reader, were you ever benighted on pra-
sirie, in region unknown to you, without a
house or treo visible in any direction? If
hot, you cannot appreciate our condition
at this time. Following a track which was
visible only by the rank weeds which had
grown up since the cessation of travel on it,
through sloughs and over elevations, with
every Indication of being utterly lost and
the necessity IF having to content our
selves with nights lodging on the bare
earth, our situation was anything but
agreeable. How often did We fancy we saw
the welcome outline of timber in the direc-
ton we were travelling, and how often did
the cherished hope prove Elusive! The
half hidden moon shed faint light over
tn, scene, and aggravated our condition the
more by but half disclosing surrounding
objects Our good old horse trotted at
slow measured speed, and the Gathering of
our buggy wheels sounded desolate and
melancholy on the quiet night air. At last,
however, to our great relief, the dim outline
of timber was deserted, which when even
tually reached we found to be Poston's
Grove. We put up with Mr.. Halleck, the
postmaster.
Poston's Grove il about four miles
long and perhaps two wide. 1t was set
tied seventeen years ago, by Mr.. Poston,
who still resides there. 1t is in the eastern
corner of Cedar county, and is at exual dis
tances from Muscatine and Davenport-25
miles. TIL. trade Of this settlement all goes
to Davenport, the reason for which we men
ton below.
Z Next day we visited Big and Little Wal
nut Groves, (half mile apart,) in Scott
county The country here presents a most
delightful appearance. The timber in these
groves, as intimated, is mostly walnut.
Some of the finest farms we have seen in
Iowa are in this neighborhood. From WAL
nut Grove we returned to Muscatine bH
way of Blue Grass, passing many objects
OF interest which We have not room to par.
ticularize now.
We will now present subject for the
immediate consideration of those who have
the interests of AIuscatine at heart It ia
that they should assist the farmers of Pos
toms, Walnut and Round Groves and there
abou.s to open direct road to Muscatine.
In conversation with some of them they,
requested us to urge the citizens of Musca-
tine to lend their aid and encouragement to
efforts being made by them to open road
to this place. They are situated about the
same distance from Muscatine as from Da-
venport, but trade at the latter place be-
canse they have good road leading to il.
Yet they desire a choice of markets, and
believe they could often save money if the
Muscatine market was as easily accessible
as that of Davenport. The trade of this
region is well worth the trouble of obtain
ing it. Will our business men see to it?
-
The "Enqnirer.'