St. Charles Republican intelligencer. (St. Charles [Charles City], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1856-12-25
Our Railroad.

| w oodWard, Esq, chlet engineer of the
road, and the article gives an interest
ing and truthful description of the va
rious towns along the line of the road,
as well as important facts regarding
the road itself: "a
Among the many important objects
OF interest to the residents of northern
Iowa, "our Railroad" stands pre-emi-
nent; and as a more particular des-
eruption of the Survey and the country
through which it passes, seems to be
needful, | propose through your col
umns to throw more light on this sub
lect. "A perfectly feasible route has
been found, and at an average cost per
mile not exceeded by the cheapest first
class Roads. The Curvature 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-a business which this sec
ton of country will demand to it's mt
most capacity, and which, in the his
tory of all Railroads, has proved the
greatest source of prefit.
The ability of Northern Iowa to
make this road a paying and profitable
concern, is SO far beyond doubt, that
it is quite needless to ask that question.
Let any one who doubts it take days
drive over the Military Road, and he
will see such evidences of trade and
travel as will be entirely satisfactory.
| Thirty-lour miles from McGrcgor,
brings us into the valley of Turkey
River, to the rapidly progressing town
of Clermont, which unlike many west
ern towns, 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.
i Nine miles beyond, lies West Union,
the county seat of Fayettc county and
the largest place on the Railroad line
situated on Otter creek and surrounded
by the most beautiful and highly cul-
tivated farms that have seen in north
crn Iowa This is fine business
point, and has glorious section OF
, country tributary to it. From this,
westward, the Survey stretches on,
over the Prairie, scarcely diverging
from straight line. Twenty miles
: and we reach the promising little town
| of Fredericksburg, Acknowledgements
f on the Wapsy, from thence eighteen
| miles of the lightest description OF
5 Railroad work, and we come in sight
: of Bradford. This is the county sea,
: of Chickasaw county, and bids fair te
t be very important point. The Bron
) son House at this place, is the House
G of this section-rather taking dow,
l. everything else in neatness, attention
and accommodation. Whoever travels
this way, will do good thing whcl
he puts up at the Bronson House and
when he gets good thing, he viii
, keep it.
: A fine drive of fifteen miles Oh tho
west bank of the Cedar, and we reach
the terminus of the first running divis
ion of the road. a fraction short OF
100 miles, at the finely located village
of st. Charles. Here is a town that
has decided advantages, and it's prom
Uses of future Importance are of the
most fattering character ST. Charles
has the wealth and public spirit nee.
essary to promote rapid and substan.
tial growth, and 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 luxuries Of life thar
are obtainablc at any other place trib
utary to this line of road. St. Charles
| is the county seat Of Floyd county, and
preparations are under way to erect
the county buildings, and in manner
! both crcditablc to ST. Charles and the
county of Floyd For a 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. 1t is very desirable
for " Railroad purposes" being the
last one of any extent that is met will
for many miles. We have fingered
here some timc-the car bell rings
and we must be off.
; A ride of fifteen miles over a beau
tiful prairie, divided by the food creek
timber, and we arrive at the village OF
Rockford, charmingly situated at the
| confluence of Shell Rock and Lime
rivers. | have never seen town site
having SO many of the elements of sue.
cess as this handsomely located one
A fine saw mill is already importation
grist mill in process of construction
a public House which sustains a fine
reputation, and an enterprising class
Of citizens who are determined to car
ny out, what nature has SO nobly be
gun, and make it the most beautiful
spot Oh the line of the McGregor, St.
Peters Il Missouri River Railroad
about one mile west of the town is a
large bed Of clay of the finest quality
being entirely free from injurious sub.
stances, and capable of making the
first quality of brick. Here is an open
ing for some cnterprising Brickmakcr,
and one that would soon realize for
him a fortune.
The Cedar, Shell Rock and Lime
rivers are of the purest Spring Water,
and but little affected with the drought
the body Of water in each has been al.
most uniforls during the past summer
and fall Tho hottonos and chorcs of