The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-06-20
PAPER TOWNS IN IOWA.


PAPER TOWNS IN IOWA.
We clip the following truthful sketch OF
the above institutions, from the Des Moines
Citizen. Town proprietors cannot fail to
appreciate it.
Some Of the Eastern people who travel
out West, are occasionally sadly disappoin-
ted at the appearance, or rather the nos-dP-
pedfance of towns in Iowa, which to till the
delusive description spectators give OF them
would bid fair to eclipse Chicago or Cleve-
land, if not rival motherly New York herself.
A story illustrating this, was told by fel-
low passenger, in the coach, and was sug-
gested by a remark, that the Eastern portion
Of Nebraska would soon be u continuous
town from North to South. Said an old
gentleman from Western New York: a.
ga man changes his opinion OF town
very much when he comes to see it, and finds
it altogether different from what it was rep
resented. They have perplexing way of
calling every thing city, in the West here,
which misleads great many. There is
Jackson City, Polk City, and SO on, thou
sand big names, and all purportlng to be
cities, and as heard the name ''city'' men,
toned so often, concluded there must be
some grounds for it. Well, l afterwards
discovered that grounds were plenty, more
SO than the attributes Of metropolis.
Irecollect my first sight Of the city Of
Prairie Grove. had been told that it was
a thriving place, and certainly the lithograph
which displayed its streets and alleys,
squares, and parks, and other advantages OF
art and nature, u0as very imposing. Though
by no means expecting to see such town rs
Rochester or Buffalo, had made up my
mind that the city of Prairie Grove must
contain several hundred inhabitants at least.
My mental conception of it furnished 1t with
store or two, a church, tavern, black
smith shop, saw mill, and seven or eight
dwellings-not elegant ones to be sure-but
neat and comfortable. Such | supposed
Prairie Grove to be.
l took the stage to Abba, where stopped
and inquired how far it was 70 tfrr~ city Of
Prairie Grove. | wanted to see IA MIR. Smith,
who had bought steam mill of me, and had
not vet settled for it. They told me Prairie
Grove was about fifteen miles SOuthward.
They all knew Mr.. Smith; he was Post Mas
ter at Prairie Grove. and | would find him
very easily. So procured the direction, a
good cigar and horse, and started to see
Mr.. Smith, the Postmaster of the city OF
Prairie Grove. This was in the morning.
rode along, admiring the beauties OF the
country, musing upon business, and Won
dering If there were some lots in the city
where was going, which might be bought
at an advantage, and if so, and the place
was likely to grow, why did not know but
might invest a little, but not until after l
had consulted MIR. Smith, the Post Master,
who would be well posted in the affairs there,
and would make me master of the desired in
formation. So travelled along, thought,
about fifteen or sixteen miles, but no Prairie
Grove appeared to be visible. As gained
every rise, how eager looked for the church
spire, or the saw-mill chimney. for was
growing hungry, and my horse was becom-
ing jaded. Finally, became sure that was
on the wrong road, for they told me at Al
bia that it was only fifteen miles, and knew
had come more than that distance. Pres
emily small house appeared, and rode up,
determined to solve the problem. As came
toward the house, two large dogs commen-
ced ferocious barking, a crowd OF ragged
children ran to the door, and large, gaunt
looking man followed them, while
the only window was adorned in several
places by distinct outlines of female faces.
All regarded me with wonder; and began
to look down and around at myself and
horse, to see if any thing unusual in my ap-
pearance attracted so much curiosity, for
travellers are familiar thing in iowa, and
dogs hardly bark at them. l hailed the
man:
''Sir," said l, 'can you tell me the road
to Prairie Grover"
"You're in it," said he laconically.
Twas surprised, but ventured another in
terrogatory:
.'How much further is it?''
go, about two miles; when you get on
that rise gender, you kin see the town, plain.
''Do you know man named Smith,
there?''
eyes, he's the Post Master; ever body
knows him."
"Don't often have strangers pass this
way, do you?'
s'Not many-not many to Prairie Grove,
anyhow."
So | rode on, gained the summit of a hill
before me, and bent my eyes around the
landscape for a view of Prairie Grove.
did not find myself gratifed. Prairie Grove
was a a"nonest inrentus," as theiawyers say.
Twas disappointed badly; wanted to flnd
the city hotel, get good dinner, and feed
for my horse, but here were all my epicure-
an anticipations utterly and wantonly blight
ed, and this too in country where the only
man had conversed with, had told me a
wilful and malicious lie, consequently the
people would not be any too honest, and
might starve before could reach Prairie
Grove, or any other place where could get
any thing to eat. l looked again at the
scene before me. For five miles at least the
view was unobstructed. Far in the distance
was rude log hut, a most miserable look
ing building, such as is erected to pre-empt
land with. 1t seemed to be deserted, and
in fact might have been. studied 9 long
time whether to 60 back and tax with per-
Jury the man who had given me the wrong
direction, 60 on towards the log hut, and
see if something else did not appear. The
latter course finally adopted. The nearer
approached the log house, the worse it ap-
peared; but from certain indications, be-
gan to fear that fate had cast the lot Of some
unfortunate family there. At any rate,
could probably find out where Prairie Grove
was. need not describe the house more
than to say it was log and covered with
bark. You have seen such often. l rap.
pea at the door. Presently it opened, and
! saw little room with heads all over the
foor SO thick that the two women, Eve chill
dren and one man could hardly navigate
their way to and fro about the premises
Said to the man:
kkC:. oc, ,,n.. f'J55 + + 80 .
Grore?"