The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-02-01

Traesi to For, DeSrs-1xs Geld. WeasAsr-0s~e-
P.bhe L4sds-Esrt DsdTs-Prssesf snd Fstare.
NEsar Dopcr, loss, Jan. II, 1856.
M. EDrroR I'VE len your city on the
let day Of this year, 70 GO ~ the way of
Dubuqus to this place. aal We have faith
fully psstosaed the journey in ie days. If
we are to rely on the testimony Of oil the
people We have CHANGED to meet, this has
been probably a. cold . the people Of the
U. s. ever have TO suffer. In our travels
hither, we have heard Of at least 20 deaths
by freezing. This number, great a. it is,
gives bur meagre view Of the suffering
from the extreme cold. While We are wri-
ting, there is young man lying within
three feet of 10. whose feet and hands were
frozen few days ago, and u least half of
them will have to be amputated.
On Tuesday, the 9Th inst, ~ if to cele-
brase the great National Democratic Jubi-
lee day. the mercury in the morning was
found down At % degs. below zero; At II A.
n. it was At ~ below. and At nine At night
il was ~ below. The highest the mercury
rose during the day was - below-notwith-
standing the sun shone bright al day
And this was the cause of much mischief.
The day was 90 bright that it betrayed many
sufferer. and before evening but few es-
capped with whole ears, noses or cheeks.
But for the last week it has been beautiful
winter weather, with the finest sleighing.
The snow here is about 10 inches deep
calm and clear over head.
The rush for lands 1t this point has some
what abated during this cold weather, and
there 10 about a. much to do IS can be COM
fortably transacted. This calm will proba-
bly, continue until shout the middle Of April.
when the tides win rise higher than ever,
| until oil the lows lands will be taken. 1t
| isevidsnt that this rush for land 10 an in
sane mania. Land in this region, without
any of the advantages Of comfortable living
for the next seven years, and with doubtful
prospects foi even the distant future, il
higher than in the neighborhood Of your
beautiful city. Two or three miles from
Fort Dodge, out in the wild prairie, and that
of the ID quality, land 10 500 per acre,
and lots are selling At Gao per foot.
More than half of the houses in the place
are the old government buildings heretofore
used for barracks. We believe they are
now private property, belonging to Col.
Williams & Co.. In making graft to the
Des Moinss River Company. Congress
carelessly granted to them this fort with oil
| it's buildings, and the present owners bought
of that Company. There are, however,
some doubts about the title to the property
There are probably, al told, 40 houses here
with population Of $50.
This 10 truly the frontier. West and
North is ell a dresry waste. No venturous
travellers 60 beyond this point, except in
pursuit Of game, which is plenty At this
season. Deer and elk are abundant, and
| venison il hawked about the streets at ~
cents per h. At every house, a. We pass
We see deer frozen and standing up against
the houses. And at one house we passed
in Hardin co., the occupant had q wolves
which he had killed standing silent senti.
neIs around his premises. They reminded
Us of the images with which Lord Timothy
Dexter, of Nswburyport, used to ornament
bis residence.
At this point they have stone coal il
abundance, as well as building stone. Ths
river winds round the town in deep, mar
row gorge, some l25 feet deep, and difficult
in many cases of access. They have ,
saw mill here, but like most other new 10
cations, it is poor concern. Lumber il
s. per 100 feet, but it is very poor lumbe
and very scarce at that. Tinber 10 scarce
and we cannot see how city 10 ever to b.
| built here without Railroad 10 built first
Land carriage is $500 per cwt. from tht
Mississippi. Cornmeal is 81. 90 per bushel
and the nearest corn mill is about 46 miles
No man should think OF coming here fo
some years, either to make fortune or to LIVE
comfortably. Property is already four times
as high as it should be, which win preven
improvements. and there 10 nothing to i'm
prove with, and no farms a. yet to sustain
. town. Yet the tide will rush on, AMI
next season this will be scene of much
fun for the looker-on. The land is gone a
Dubuque, nearly SO at DEBORAH, while q,
Iowa City, Des Moines, Fairfield and Cher
| iton there is little to attract attention. But
| the mass will come here.
| E. F. CLARXsos.