Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1856-02-07

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abundance. Passing some small streams with
out notice, at distance from the Iowa, river
Of 81 miles we strike the Des Moisnes River,
at Fort Dodge, This is perhaps the most no.
ted OF Iowa rivers, on account Of its length,
its fine yallies, excellent mber, and abund-
ant water power, at this point it is some 300
OF 400 feet wide,
In The vicinity OF Fort Dodge, agreeable 10
a report OF Gen. Geo. A. NIX, agent for the
Dubuque and Pacific Rarlrood, ''Gypsum of
70 quality not surpassed bslwssn.ibe A:,enAiel
iSbG Padskc, is found iaaa linssi'hastabie1
Iqdantity, also, coal, lion ore, and building
rock Of the finest quality in great abundance.
There il also an abundance OF building stone
er, at Iowa Falls, there is limestone or marble
Of cream color, in vast quantities, and sus-
ceptible OF The finest polish. The distance
from this point, 10 Sioux City, on the Missouri
river is something over one hundreG miles,
principally undulating prairie, till within
lew miles of the Missouri which is some what
broken. Some few rivers and smaller streams
are found between the Des Moines and Ms
souri, nearly all lined with timber and in some
instances, OF a Rnc quality; and in addition
there ore several groves of considerable ex-
tent. of the finest quality Of timber.
This country is yet very thinly settled. En-
migration is just beginning 10 pass beyond the
DeS Moisnes, though il is but proper 10 con-
clude from the vast emmigration seeking
homes in the north west, that but few years
) will pass away until this part Of Iowa shall be
known as one Of its ropulous districts. II
will be observed by reference 10 the maps,
that the points named ore due west from the
city Of Dubuque, through, or near which the
dubuque & Pacific Railroad viii pass, which
road is now under contract, some 30 miles,
and located sche 60 or 10 miles, and will
} without doubt, Ii the first road opened 10 the
N Missouri river crdssing The Stale in an Eas
'e and Wes: direction. The rapid settlement
rs and development OF The agricultural weaif
u Of new country, however new, when Rail
s. read is built through it, no longer requires
ID even speculative remarks. They are fxet
e. facts. The prices OF second hand lands, un
" improved, along the contemplated line of thi
II Pailroad may be get down at from $50 10 II
Ut dollars, per acre, depending on location, soil
Of water &C., aud also contiguousness TO impor
tant towns. 1t may be proper 10 state, that
~ is rare occurrence for land TO pass into thur
hands, at less than double entry price, 50 81
re per acre, il matters not how lately it ma
y have been entered.
On the contemplated line Of This Railroad
&c between this place and Fort Dodge, but yer
III line land remains unentered But betwee
III Fort Dodge and Sioux city, very fine selec
!? tons can yet be made, and III sc who ore luck
le enough 10 secure these selections, have an in
" veslment which will certainly realize prof
10 Of three or four bundled per cent in thre
VI years, as have not The least Eesitancy in as
ne serting that four years hence from this da,
the iron horse will be snortng and putting o
H. the eastern banks Of the Missouri river, havin
'e made his way from the Mississippi over III
nu pralieS of northern Iowa. There are in moi
IL thern Iowa, four land districts; The offices lo
n Gated at the following named places :-Du
III buke. Decornh, in Wimiesheik county; Fo
Dodge, in Webatro county, and Sioux tily, i
d, Woodbury county. In the Dnbuke dis,ri,
e' there is no government land TO be had, know
- 10 common men, and il any at all it is know
eS to those only who are parakers of the tredsu
30 ry pap. In the Decorah district, there yet re
n mains quantity OF choice prairie and perhaI
III some little timber 10 be entered, notwithstand
ch ing The rush 10 this Office since it was opeIe
u on the Gath of December. In the eBgeInes
CT 10 obtain favorile selections, men have spen
''' Sleepess nights on the sters of the Land O
~ fees, in order 10 be on hand early at the ope
~ ming of the Office next morning; and that to
III when the Mercury indicated degree of col
IL in some instances extending below zero. Bl
finding this tedious as we'll as an unpleasaT
W mode Of proceeding. the preference of tut
p was finally decided upon, by agreements
" draw lots, and those who were not present
er the time this arrangement was entered init
VI were compelled 10 wait their turn. TIL
nd quantity of land desired 10 be entered vaIle
lis In amount, some 40, some l60, and others Gro
cd 10 10 20 thousand acres, forgetting that,
er "Man wants but little here below,
II Nor wants that little long"
b. The land in this district is Of good qualit!
he we'll timbered and walered. Ths>principi
streams being the Upper Iowa, Turkey, Vo
is ga aud Red Cedar rivers, all of which afTor
= considerable water power. The lands in tn
of For! Dodge district have commanded ia
th share Of attention, though not that rush whic
of attended the opening Of the Land~0tice
or Decorah. The lands in this district loo, al
It, Of good quality, great portion Of which al
of yet unentered, but ere the 1st dsy Of Januai
OF 1857, shall have come upon us, but lit
be government land will have been left for Ii
Ill land speculntors Of that yeor. The grea!e
IS. amount oi land entered within the next yea
Mt will probably be in the Sioux city district,
ch which is embraced the moth western countit
ch OF the State. Bat little attention has os ye
I'd been directed 70 these lands, and conseQuen
Of ly choice selections Of both prairie and timb'
IS can he had: but 10 those who wish choice 81