The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-12-12
For the North Iowa Times.
OUR RAILROAD
OLMsTEADs SPRINGS, Clayton Co., Iowa,l
December 9Th, 1856.

December 9Th, 1856. !
Among the many important objects of interest
to the residents of Northern Iowa, our Railroad
stands pre-em;nent and as more particular des.
cription of the Survey and the country through
which it passes, seems to be necdfu, l propose
through your columns to throw more light on this
subject. A perfectly feasible route has been
found, and at an average cost per mile not exceed
ed by the cheapest first class Roads. The Curya-
ture and Grades being of light character, war
rant the highest rates Of speed and guarantee the
successful performance of the heaviest description
OF Freight business business which this section
OF country will demand to its utmost capacity, and
which, in the history of all Railroads. has proved
the greatest source of profit.
The ability Of Northern Iowa to make this road
paying and profitable concern, is so far be ond
doubt, that it quite needless to ask that question
Let any one who doubts it take days driver over
the Military Road, and he will see such evidences
of trade and travel as will be entirely satisfac-
tory.
Thirty four miles from McGregor, brings us
into the valley of Turkey River, to the rapidly
progressing town of Carmen, which unlike MANY
Western tons. is being safely and solidly built up
with Brick. AT this point is an extensive Water
power, and the finest FIGURING Mill in the West.
Nine miles beyond, lies West Union-thc county
seat of Fayet.e Co.. and the largest place on the
Railroad Line situated on Otter Creek and sur
rounded by the most beautiful and highly cultiva.
ted farms that have seen in Northern Iowa.
This is fine business point, and has a glorious
section of country tributary to it. From this,
Westward, the Survey stretches on over the Prai-
rie, scarcely diversing from straight line. Tween
ty miles, and we reach the promising little town of
Fredericksburg, delightfully."- situatedon the Wapsv,
from thence eighteen miles Of the lghtcst dcscrp-
| ton of Railroad work, and we come in sight Of
Bradford. This is the county scat of Chickasaw
County, and bids fair to be very important point
The Bronson House at this place. is the House of
| this secton-rather taking down everything else
| IN neatness, attention, and accommodation. Who
ever travels this way, will do a good thing when
he puts up at the Bronson House and when he gets
a good thing, he will keepit.
A fine drive of fifteen miles ON the West bank
| of the Cedar, and we reach the terminus of the
| first running division of the road. A fraction
short Of 100 miles, at the finely located Village of
81. Charles. Here is town that has decided adj
vantages, and its promises of future importance
arc OF the most fattering character. ST. Charles
has the wealth and public spirit necessary to pro-
mote rapid and substantial growth, it is an easy
matter to predict that it will be point second to
no other on the line. One finds here polished
society; and more of the comforts and luxu,ies of
life than are obtanable at any other place tribu-
tary to this line of Road. ST. Charles is the Coun
ty seat of Floyd County, and preparations are un-
der way to erect the county buildings, and in a
manner both credtable to st. Charles and the
County OF Floyd. Fora permanent residence, give
me ST. Charles on the Cedar.
Between Bradford and st. Charles, lies one of
the finest tracts of Timber in Northern Iowa, it is
very desirable for "Railroad purposes, being the
last one Of any extent that is met with for many
miles. We have fingered here some time-the
Car Bell rings, and we must be of.
ride OF fifteen miles over abeautifu prairie,
divided by the Flood Creek Timber, and we arrive
at the village Of Rockord, charmingly situated at
the confluenceof Shell Rock and Lime Rivers. l
have never seena town site having so many of the
clements OF success as this handsomely located
one. A fine Saw Mill is already in operation, a
Grist Mill in process of construction, a Public
House which sustains a fine reputation, and an
cntcrprising class of citizens who are determined
to carry out, what nature has so nobly begun, and
10 IL "A
McGregor, st. Peters e. Missouri River Railroad !;
about one mile West of the town is large Bed of
Clay OF the finest quality, being entirely free from
injurious substances, and capable of making the
first quality Brick. Herei an opening for some
enterprising Brickmaker, and one that would soon
realize for him fortune.
The Cedar, Shell Rock and Lime Rivers are of
the purcst Spring Water, and but little affected
with the drought; the body of water in each has
been almost uniform during the past Summer and
Fall. The bottoms and shores of these streams
are rocky, and without any description of Marshes,
Sloughs, or Low grounds, the currents are rapid
and the immediate vicinity perfectly healthy.
Building Stone of a superior kind is obtained in
large quantities and some from the vicinity of
st. Charles, which have seen polished, compares
fayorably in hardness and texture with the finest
qualities of Marble.
Leaving Rockford, curving lightly to the North,
and following the Valley Of Lime River, brings
us, after a ride of Sixteen miles, to Mason Cifu-
the County Seat of Cero Gordo County. Occu-
plying an enviabc position at the junction of vii,
low Creek and Lime River, it is bound to be a
large and important point, and is being rapidly
built up; already there are upwards of Seventy
Buildings, and the population must be at least Five
Hundred. Next Spring will give an impetus to
these towns hitherto unhcard OF, and the traveller
of year hence will be surprised at their rapid
growth. Mason City is a superior point and cho-
sen with good judgment by its proprietors /; it is
very fayorably situated with regard to the country
above it a fine body of Timber joins it on the
North, and off to the South far as the eyo can
reach, stretches again the wide unbroken prai-
rie.
Twelve miles more and we pause at the Termi-
nus of the present Survey, on the shores of the |
beautiful Clear Lake, at Clear Lake City, hand |