The Tiffin tribune. [volume] (Tiffin, Ohio) 1848-1859, 1857-08-21
Western Correspondence.
Sr. CuARLEs, Floyd Co.
Iowa Aug. Sd, 1857.


your readers requested me to send back
a statement Of the nature Of the country
and its prospects. In compliance with
this request, bog leave TO present the
following through your columns. In my
opinion, there are hundreds Of young men
and women, who, il they knew what this
country is would not scruple to pay thir-
ty dollars, 80 be set down safe and sound
in St. Charles. 1t costs about that sum
to get here; and wages are full twice as
high for all kinds Of labor as there.
The surface Of this country is princi-
pally beautiful rolling prairie. The ridg-
es are not high aud vary in width from
ten 10 eighty rods. Between the ridges,
are slewy grounds; but the slews are not
so soft, but that toams can easily be
driven over them at the Wetest season.
The water seldom, ifever, stands on them;
they are simply damp grounds, and are
almost indispensable on farms, for mead.
ow and pasture. Stock water is easily
obained in them by digging few feet:
but large number Of the farms have good
spring or running water.
For streams aud water power, l think
/ may safely assert, that this county can
not be excelled There are four streams,
flowing down from Minnesota Territory,
all crossing II diagoually from the North
West, to the South East. The little Ce-
dar River crosses the North East corner
passing through three townships. The
lB,g Cedar, parallel with, aud about five
miles distant from the Little, passes
through six townships. And Shell Rock
creek crossing the South West corner,
cuts four Townships. SO that there is
not township iu the county which is
not watered by ono Of these beautiful
streams.
All of those streams are veil confined
in their banks; deep and rapid, and the
Cedars and Shell Rock each have water
sufficient in the dryest season 10 run large
mills, also Flood creek large part Of the
year. The banks Of the streams are lined
with heavy timber extending back in
many places from one to four miles. The
timber throughout the County, is con-
venient TO the prairie; and no tract Of
lcountry can furnish hmoreopportunities for
good, prairie and lumber farms; and the
Timber is SO convenient to the prairie
farms, throughout the County, that less
objection can be made ON that account
than in almostAny portion Of the VEST
Saw Mills are in operation in all parts Of
the county. And indeed few locations
can be found in the West, with so happy
commingling of Prairie aud good tim
bers; and there is much more timber in
this county than in any of the adjoining.
There are many excellent mill sites on
the streams, where a good head Of water
can be obtained without overflowing
scarcely an acre of ground; the streams
are rapid, aud well confined, in their
banks. and yet the banks are seldom steep
aud abrupt, but rolling back from the
waters edge, TO the heighth Of twenty
feet; aud so sloping that team can be
driven down to the water with ease. A
splendid quality of lime rock is found in
all parts of the county along the streams.
The soil is universally deep, rich, black,
sandy loan. And better crops than are
now being harvested throughout this
county l never beheld.
The man who three years ago passed
through this county and behelG IL, one
vast expanse Of unbroken prairie; now
stands amazed, to see it dotted over with
farm houses; and fields waving with
Wheat and Corn. He says in his won
der, truly tbs magic.
It's towns are ST. Charles, Floyd Cen
tire, Rockford, Rock Grove, and Marble
Rock. OF these, St Charles the county
seat is the principal. Five years ago no
cabin graced its site. 1t was among the
things Of the future. -Four years ago two
log cabins were its only tenements. and
their inmates, hardy pioneers charmed
thither by the beauty Of the spot and the
fertility Of the soil, considered themselves
twenty years in advance of civilization.
, Three years ago it was a city of stakes,
1 almost houseless aud tenantless. St.
Charles is situated on both sides Of the
! Big Cedar, partly on grove, and partly on
prairie ground. The river here is very
B narrow, not more than eight rods wide.
! Aud on the town plat water power can
be obtained without oyerhowing rod Of
land. And yet the banks are so rolling
! that the water is easy Of access at all pla-
ces. There is now in progress large and
. splended stone Court House, aud large
Baptist Church, The river will be
: -lbridged this summer. There are here
good schools. one Touring and two saw
n mills Eight stores, two banks, -four
/ land Offices. three doctors, two large ho-
tells, large number and variety Of shops
: Two surveyors, civil engineers, aud gen.
eralland agents, Messrs Ronaldson d Lee
men Of high reputation; and ready L
a serve any person at distance. wishing I,
procure. or dispose Of lands in Iowa
Sc. CHARLES contains about one thousanG
! inhabitants, and Is fast increasing 10 popu
Y lation. tt..
4 Buildings ofall kinds, are being erected
4 as fast as material and hands can be pro
4 cured. Aud since the McGregot. ST
Peterand Missouri River Rail Road Com
: many have commenced their work, ant
y made this one Of its principal points, Il ha
q added new impetus TO ita already rapiI
Is growth. THERE'S good mataFial for brick