The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1855-05-10
lCorresj dine Of th. b ston Traveller ]
LETTER FROM IOWA.
DAvE.poRr, Iowa, April Is,

The interests of New England are
decidedly blended with those of Iowa.
II re our sons, delegation worthy the
section that gave them birth, are rearing
one OF the proudest commonwealihs Of
our whole Union. Tn soil OF vast re-
sources, and intersected in every quarter
by beautiful flowing streams, an intelli-
gent and enterprising population are WORK,
ing wonders. The State, so far as have
seen, is nearly one entire rolling prairie
with strips OF from one to three miles Of
timter Of inferior quality, skifting the
streams. This prairie reudsrs il easy of
culture, saving the trouble OF clearing as
in Ohio and many of the older States.
Nothing so impresses me with the fact
Of The unprecedented growth of The West
and tho commercial and political import
ance 1t must soon attain, as stop in these
young cltics along tie Mississippi. But
few rods from this spot where am now
writing, were enacie some of the bleody
scenes OF the Black Hawk war. Buffalo,
deer and prairie wolves, vera within that
recent period no strangers, where now is
heard The busy hum of city numbering
some eight thousand souls.
Ths soTl, climate and geographical fea-
lures Of This State and Kanzas are quite
similar and well fitted 10 reward the free
and enterprising cr1igrants now pouring
IN from BE last. The rush at present
seems 10 be for The Des MONIES valley,
although other sections are rapidly filing
up. One can hardly realize tie amount
OF emigration to these new countries, I'M
les he stand by some of the thorough
fares, and witness Tie continuous line Of
einigrant wagons setting toward the will
derness. The emigration 10 thaaFSta,e
last Yer WAS sope fifty thousands These
river cities are rapidly swelling their pop
u alton, and would do ii much faster were
there a sufhciency Of dwellings for the
new corners. This is particularly the case
at keokuk, OF which ! spike III 70 mer
letter. There. buildings are rapidly
going up. and still rents are little be-
low those of Boston. The scarcity OF
good timber in Iowa renders building
more difficult than at the East nature
has. however, ooviated in a measure this
difficulty, by supplying fine brick clay.
which may be manufactured on the very
spot where the bricks are to be used.
4 Burlington is On attractive city of some
seven thousand population, and has rail-
road connecting with the East, terminating
at tie opposite bank Of the river on the
Illinois side +; this gives il many adyan-
tages 81 present over keokuk at the mouth
OF the Des Nor es, yet cannot but re-
GARD the position of the latter superior as
a business peint, TO any place get seen on
The river in iowa, and as destined soon to
be leading city in this STATE. Specula-
ton is rife along this region, end many a
! land agent is ceinine his thousands by the
rise Of lands bought at Government
prices Such are cia OF individuals
who do little for The pro, atrity Of the
Stale, and could be dispensed with With
out any detriment to its interests
4 Davenport is the most attractive city
for mere residence along the river. AT
/ this point the Mississippi has not that high
I olutt as at most points along lis banks,
and The gentle slope % the water, renders
the location Of tie town really beautiful
he slll also about it is black and tx.
cceilnsly fertile loan, ica causes yerc-
taiion in he region to assume most Ia.
/ vi.iag luxuriance.
Rock Island City, on the opposite shore,
is thriving city OF nearly the same size
as Davenport, and is tie present termlnu,
OF railroad leading to Chicago. An al.
tempt has been made TO continue this road
across the river into Iowa. but an iniunc-
tioI has been laid upon this, and the SUBJ
jet IS now 10 liigatlon-ihe abutments
are laid. and every thing ready for span
nlng the main channel al short notice.
The Temperance Know Nothings, at
The recent elections, swept every thing in
this region. Such a vote bespeaks the
character of the early settlers here, and
loreshadows the prosperity of this young
Commonwealth
II The weather at present is delightful.
and vegetation is coming forward 4, il
rapid pace. We have recently had tvn
powerful thunder showers Of " ide extent,
which fell most grateful on the parched
soil OF Iowa. One last evening was as
terrific as ever witnessed. The light
ming FOR twenty minutes was nearly in
cessant, and hail stones of large size fell
In abundance The wheat crop looks well
and promises IN abundance.
a. ". s.