The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-01-01
Correspondence Of the Courier.
Rock Dluff, Nebraska Territory.

MOCK BLUFF, IN. j 4. Ice. %, lcOO.
NJ. Edttor:--SIR have traversed on foot
the shores of the Missouri River from st. Jo-
seph, Mo-, to the Southern boundary Of Kan
sas, and have sketched and painted every
town, point ard object of interest on that por-
ton of the river, as you have already noticed
in the programme sent you. Since you last
heard from me, have been engaged on the
river above St Joseph. have visited all the
towns up to this point and have carefully noted
every feature Of the country, and also sketch
ed every object of interest for future illustra-
ton.
have been stopping at this place for some
days, visiting some of the points Of interest in
the immediate vicinity. have examined the
geological features If the country within one
mile of this place, as well as my knowledge Of
that science would enable me. l find that
within oLs mile Of the Public Square Of this
town, a most abundant supply Of building
stone, limestone o. the finest q1ality and stone
coal, can be obtained with but little outlay Of
money or time. There appears to be three
distinct stratas Of stone in the bluffs near this
place--the top one the same as the surface
limestone OF Iowa; the second, if am not
much mistaken, Is the same character OF stone
as that on the Demoine river, below Ottumwa
pronounced by Prof. OWEN a, Gypsum |;
the third or lower one is gray, coarse grain
ed stone, superior article for building pur-
poses, and much resembles the gray stonc so
extensively used liz New York and Boston for
fronting. have carefully examined Prof
Swallows geological report of the Missouri
river, and at no other point does he mbine
so many useful and essential mineral procuc-
tions as have been found at this.
The romantic location of the town, the
abundant supply of all the above named essen
tials, as well as the superior quality Of timber,
water, and prairie surrounding the town, gives
to the public the greatest assurance that it WILL
a, no distant day, be enc of the largest cities
10 Nebraska. Its appearance from the liver
is delightful, SURPRISING in romance and beauty
anything have fond on the Missouri river,
while the rock bound shores against which
the river appears to have cen washing for
ages, affords good steamboat landing at the
foot Of the principal streets Of he city.
Immediately opposite this point III Iowa,
the bluffs approach within "a miles Of the rlv-
er, bringing The solid bluffs of Iowa and Me-
braska nearer than at any other point on the
Missouri, betw cen the mouth Of the Nodaway
river and Council Bluffs. A stream of con-
siderable size, flowing from East TO West, en-
tiers tile valley opposite this place, affording
easy access for railroad TO the Missouri val
ley from the East, while the valley of Rock
creek, which empties into the liver at this
town, offers the greatest inauccment for ex.
tending the road to the great Salt Springs of
Nebraska, which lie forty miles directly west,
and SO on TO the valley Of the Platte and IT.
Kearney.
MIR. EDITOR: I shout not have wearied
your patience with so long sketch Of This
place, did it not merit it, and much more; but
cannot stop without few words more in re-
gard 10 the inducements held out to actual set
tiers by the liberal and gentlemanly proprietors
of the town.. Lots have been donated TO any
person Who will build on the same; while, to
persons wishing to purchase properly, they Of
fer il ducements over any other place have
found in Nebraska ] can therefore say to my
friends and the public, that no town claims
their attention before Crock Bluff" and VIZ
cinity. W. w. JOHNSON.