Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-03-16

corro.poneonee Of Tho American.


corrosponbonee OF tho American.
DAVENPORT, Iowa, March l, '55,
Mn. GoopwIs:--Tn my last / prom
ised 10 supply your readers with a brief
sketch Of the country In the vicinity Of
this city. Principle rivers. townss. and
other things that might suggest them
selves and be deemed interesting
The railroad now in course Of constrnc-
ton from this place TO Council Bluff,
distance Of 800 miles, runs through
a country Of unparalleled beauty, and
fertility. The country tho whole
length of the road may be stiled en-
phatIcally prairie country-truc
there arc Gnc groves OF timber. but
the distance between them is too great
10 benefit TO q great extent the inter-
mediate space and the farmer has
10 resort TO the propagation Of that
kind Of timber that will sooner hecome
useful, which is the black locust, black
walnut swamp maple and sugar ma.
plc-for hedging. the Usage orange is
taking the lead, and requires but a
few years, to make fence impregna-
bic TO beast or bird. The central part
OF Iowa is decidedly the richest and
best suited TO agricultural purposes.
for grazing and sheep raising. The
region from this place TO Council
Bluffs, on the Missouri. is gently un-
dulating, without swamp, pond,
lake, inundations OF any kind, 10 In
dicate sickness, and delightfully."- wa
tered with clear rivers and pearly
brooks.
Between this and Council Bluffs
there are but two prominent points
and towns at present, namely Iowa
City, ill lately the capitol Of the
State. II is situated go miles from
Davenport. in one ofthc most en-
chanting spots 10 be found on the Iowa
river, a beautiful river 100 yards wide
at the city, and in time Of high water
is navigable for small steamboats, and
other crafts. The city stands on the
east side of the ..iver, far above the
highest floods, and at present contains
over 500 inhabitants and is growing
rapidly. The railroad crosses Iowa
River at this city. Next city or town
OF note on this route Is Fort Des
Moines, so miles west cf this place.
This is 10 be the site for our State
Capitol. and speculation here seems to
have run mad; great expectations for
bright future is the tone Of all from
the lisping boy TO the shfewd specula-
tor. / predict that in thirty or forty
years IL will be what indianapolis now
is. II is situated on the west side OF
The Des Moines river and nearly cen.
trail in the state. surrounded by n
country surprisingly beautiful, and OF
great richness. The town contains
about 1000 thousand Inhabitants and a
continual addition daily. Our rail
road mississippi & MiSsouri) will be
completed TO Iowa City next fall. and
To Des Moines in another year, thence
TO Council Bluffs in twelve months
more When this gigantic railroad is
completed, who shall predict our
prosperity The induccment now
held forth by its speedy completion,
will insure n ready sale Of thousands
Of acres Of land unattractive. Tho
stream OF emigration is rolling its con-
tinued waves forward TO the fruitful
plains Of our lovely state, where Ia.
Dor meets n sure reward and wealth,
industry and talent are sure 10 be re-
spected. When the road now in pro-
gress. across the cenho Of our state
is completed, what will be the speedy
destiny Of Davenport? Here win be
a deposite for the countless millines oI
surplus produce brought from the
shores OF the Missouri and the rich
iterior Of our state, then to 90 east,
south or north, to meet the wishes oi
the owner. and to the place where tht
best market is to be had.
Davenport holds greater induce
ments at this time fof the investment
of large capitol than any other western
city. For wholesaleing goods Of any
description. II already does flourish
ing business in view of the capitol en-
ployed. Our winter since the first o
February has been cold. dry ant
healthy-we have had good sleighinl
since the Goth Of January, and il i
yet good. Tho Father of Waters
Is yet hard frozen, and affords a flint
bridge for teams OF all kinds. In 1
few days spring with all its enliveninl
beauties will burst upon US. Tn,
mighty riverl will yield to its 2t fee
Of covering 10 its pearly waves, and il
few days the majestic steamers will
} be alongside our wharfs to bear ava!
to the sunny south accumulated stock
Of produce under which our ware
houses have been groaning all winter
In my next Twill tell you somethin!
about Dubuque. Muscatine. For
Madison, Burlington and Keokuk