Council Bluffs bugle. [volume] (City of Council Bluffs, Iowa) 1853-1857, 1855-11-27
Western Iowa.

Western Iowa.
That large, fertile aud beautiful scope Of
country, ..ying Norsh of the Missouri State
line and West Of the Desmoines river, is de-
nominated and known as Western Iowa. en-
bracing large area of the most excellent
land that was ever trod by the foot Of the
white man; the largest portion of which is
still uninhabited. and may be purchased Of
ths Government at 81 ,25 coats, per acre.
Geography, &c.
The face of tile country, through this re-
gion, is quite different from that of all the
praisie regions east, being more rolling, billy,
and rough there being less sloushs, mire
holes and SWAN ps--streams of water being
mors Tnre, clear and swift, being formed from
thousands Of springs Qgory where bursting
from the hill-sides, 1lens aud rayincs--the
alsitsde is considerably greater at this place
than at the Mississippi, on due Enc east
Near the Missouri, and all the large streams,
high aud PERCEPTIONS mountain bluffs rang
up and down the streams, whilst the region
contiguous is generally very rough and hillv,
but gradually as it o4teads back, becomes
rnors even, and hnallys just beautifully roll
ing as it aseeuds to higher grounds towards
the dividing ridges. The sailies formed BY
tais roughness of surface, is immensely rich,
on very easy guilty alton, and capable of pro
dueing 10 m enormous extent, and what is a
strange peculiarly, the crops are no. mate
rally affscss lby either dool or drouth, the
soil possessing thai popularity of sustaining
and maturing crops through severe and pro-
LOGGED drouth. The river bottoms are some
times extremely wide, beautiful and level
in some places the Missouri bottom is Is or
20 miles wide, with an occasional fine, clear
lake, we'll stored with excellent fish.
The highest hills are covered with verdnro,
grass or timber, and # cultivated would
produce good crops Of various kinds Of grain
or vegetables. Although the soil Is light,
and to appearance poor, i, IS loose and san
dy, AMI very easy to oaltivatc The SUI; on
the bottoms and in the yallies is black,
light sandy oam, and often from live to ten
feet in dep:h,
Throughout the whole region, fac rivers,
creeks and smaller streams Of water occur,
which forms an abundance of power for m.ls
and machinery, and tho endless number OF
springs and small rivuIets furnish all abuu-
dant supply for farming uses and stock
Every lake and stream of any size is alive
with schools of most excellent fish.
Climate, Health, sc.
Our climate is one Of the most delightful
in nature. Our spring usually COMMENCES in
March, and by tho middle cf April the prai-
ries are green, with MILL beautiful weather.
In Nav, all the face Of nature is covered with
flowers, and the foliage Of tly prairies bend
before the breeze like the waves Of an en-
chanted lake, whilst the whole atmosphere
Is scented with the breGth of lowers At all
seasons of the wear, gentle breeze is tanning
the praires, and day IS meyer so sultrv bat
. cooling breath comes TO moderate the melt
ing temperature. The evening twilights are
most beautiful, in most seasons Of the year,
continuing hear two hours after sunset
Ten months IN year our roads are hard,
smooth aud dry, In autumn, the weather,
with little exception, is usually pleasant and
kae, until near December. Winter brings US
very litsie snow; a0me years, not amounting
to more than six OF eight inches altogether,
the weashe- through the wintsy being mostly
made up Of cool, saashsaiDg days and clear
frosty nights. There is nothing, apparently,
to binder this extensive region from being
oas of the most healthy portions Of the Uni
ted State. high, dry, salnbrous and rolling
with the most excel lent wate- and cnervatng
atmosphere. Consumption was meyer known
to fssten victim bare. On the streams the
ague and fever sometimes intrudes with fe-
vers, occasionally of other types, but a, the
country becomes settled ami cultivated. these
will disspper and be- unknown.
Srttlrmeht, be,
The frst white Sol tleneut made in this re-
gsss. WAS made in this county in l847, by a.
large company of Mormons having been OK
lied frsn .1lhnsis. In poverty, and almost des-
tifute, they opened road from the frontier
settlement, passing through country then
osay inssAsitsd By sasAge~, they planted small
colonies at places on the route, hey severally
named Garden Grove anil Mount Pisgah,
pushing on othis place, Q large number un-