American Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1855-1860, 1855-04-26

EhlEkD bLAUoHTbhs-l nave mol neg
lected 10 fulfill the promise ] made before
] left Lancaster, but deferred writing un-
I'll had made permanent location and
could obtain such information as would be
most reliable and interesting. Ny journey
has not been so perilous as that Of the "May
Fower," but in one particular have been
more highly favor than they; throughout
the whole Of my pleasant route, have had
before me demonstrations Of the rapid pro-
.gress Of acountry which far exceeds the
highest conceptions in their "proptetic
visions" Of the future destiny Of the New
World.p
My knowledge Of the country is vet
limited, but what information / have OBJ
tained is reliable. The soil Of this State
is generally possessed of the qualities Of
blue or red clay; the lightest soil is sand
which is found near the Lakes and large
Rivers. The "black marl' is the general
quality OF the lowest timber and prairie
land, and often extends to the depth Of six
feet. The "dark loan" is most common
in the "openings" and "dry prairie" which
is cultivated with the best success and re-
garded as the most desirable for farming
lands. The surface Of the country with a
few exceptions, is level, varied only by
gentle undulations. There are a few
"mounds" in Iowa and Grant counties,
which form a substitute for mountains
when seen at adistance, but loose much of
their mountain grandeur" as you ap-
proach near them.
A range Of high "blufs" extend North
east and Southwest, through the State,
which are valuable only for their good
quality of building stone, and timber
There is, however, but very little land in
the State but that can and will be cultiyat-
led with success.
The mineral resources of the State are
seemingly exhaustless. and as yet only
partially developed. The Lead Mines
extend over great portion ofterritory on
the West, and in Sank, Washington and
Dodge Counties are exhaustless beds OF
rich iron ore, which are now being i'm
proved as fast as capital and labor can be
obtained. Copper has been discovered in
different portions of the State, but not in
sufficient quantities to justify the expense
of procuring it.
The climate Of the State is represented
to be a few degrees warmer than Western
New York. The atmosphere is very pure;
the summer seasons are short, but the
weather in fall continues warm and dry un-
til about the lst of December. The win
ters are cold and dry; there is but very lit
tie rain from the 1stof December until the
LIST of April. The State is nearly equally
divided between timber and prairie lands.
The prairies are not so large as those in
Northern Illinois and Iowa, and the tim
Der is of a superior quality, consisting Of
oak, elm, black walnut, maple and most
other species that are found in Ohio. The
pine forests of the North supply the States
of Illinois aud Iowa, and the Mississippi
Valley as far as New Orleans with timber.
The best portion of Government ard
State lands in this vicinity have been bot
up by actual settlers or Gland sharks" +"
but improved farms can yet be had from
four to twenty dollars per acre, according
to location. Those Immediately within the
vicinity of prosperous villages will COM
mand from ten to twenty dollars per acre,
according to the amount Of Improvements
Unimproved and timbered lands sell at from
two to ten dollars per acre. But in addi-
tion to the vast agricultural and mineral
resources of our State, its excellent posi-
ton, its Rail Roads, its navigable rivers
and lakes, its beautiful prairies, its i'm
mense pine forests, and its mild and salu
brious climate, all mnistering to the want.
and comforts of man. The educationa
wants of our people have not been neglect
ed. The State has an ample school fund
which is increasing yearly, and Super.
intendent of Public Instruction chosen
with the other State officers whose specia
duty it is TO promote the interests of Com
mon Schools. The State University, To-
Gated at Madison City, will compare fa
vorably with those in the eastern States
and Colleges and Academies are found il
almost every village throughout the State
Intelligence is a proverbial characters
tic of our people, and however much you
may hear derogatory to the character anC
abilities of western editors" and "Wes
tern orators" can assure you that thi;
State is not their place of rendezvous
You will find here in "log cabins" as wei
as in more costly dwellings, an elegance
refinement and an intellectual culture
which would delightfully."- surprise you, anC
illustrate and beautfy the word home.
But now for short description of Bar
aboo. Its euphonious name is derived from
the Indiar which signifies something granC
or beautiful; its location is on the BaraboC
River forty miles North West of Madison
City. 1t is regularly laid out on elevated
ground, and commands view of the mos
beautiful and romantic country in th'
West.
Seven years ago there was but one 10!
cabin upon the site, where stands thriv
ing village with population of twenty
five hundred.
Now we boast Of two Weekly Newspa
pers, three Churches, one Academy clever
Dry Goods and Grocery stores, two Dru.
Stores, two Stove and Tin Shups. two Jew
elers, four Hotels, two FIGURING Mills, fou
Saw Mills, one Planning Mill snd Sasl
Mandatory, two extensive Furniture Es
tablishments, one Foundry, besides anum
ber of Black Smiths, Carpenters, Painters
Tailors and other mechanics. We hav
but two Lawyers and four Physicians--al
of which employ more of their time i
Speculation" than in the practice of thei
professions. AS yet we do not enjoy tn