The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1857-09-19
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ON Saturday last, We bid adieu, for :
short time, 70 ths cares and vsxations Of the
once, and took passags -in : buggy, with .
companion d. voyags, for Calhoun, Harr;-
son county. Although the day was stormy,
and the roads rather the worse for the rain
that fell the night before, we had very
pleasant ride. This was our FIRST trip in
that direction, every thing was new to us.
Our road, for some distance wound along
the banks Of the "ge.sly nurmuring Lousy .
and amid the bluffs surrounding. In due
course Of time, We arrived at ElIisdalc, the
home Of the editor of the Crescest City Or
acle. We had heard much Of the place-it
having been made ssfamous" by the repeat
ed fulminations Of its proprietor-but We
discovered none Of its beauties-they must
have been in the sereglio, in DURANGO vile.
Be that as it may, the place is by no means
destitute Of attractions. The energy and
perseverance, Of the proprietor, have made
Ellisdale to "bloom and blossom like the
rose." Mr.. JOHNSON has fine residence, q
good farm, and tho other necessary (?) at-
tendents for quiet "rural home," in this
famed spot.
A few miles further on, and we entered
the precincts Of what is known and termed
Crescent City. We had heard much of its
great advantages, of its superior location,
and of its probable destiny. From what we
had heard and read, of its prospects and pre-
tensions, We expected to find it one of the
Immortal towns that was bound in short
time to astonisb the world, and eclipse eve
~ other town in the West by its magnifcen t
proportions. Itisalmost useless to shy that
were disappointed. We have no intention
of saying a word derogatory to our neigh
boring town, but merely to state our impress
sions. Crescent City, then. is located on an
elevated plateau, commanding a fine view Of
the surrounding country. For a town of
its age, it certainly has made wonderful
strides in improvements. 1t has several fine
buildings, mostly private residences. 1t has
one very fine frame store-room, occupied
by Messrs. REEL & DUrRow. The greater
portion of the buildings are Of the ordinary
temporary character. We noticed several
new buildings upon which workmen were en-
gagged, and several others partially complet-
ed, and upon which work had evidently been
suspended for some time. We noticed
good many teams in town and considerable
hustle upou the streets, eyidencing that the
business men of Crescent City are doing
business commensurate with their claims
upon the country. But when you come to
talk of Crescent City as a rival Of Council
Bluffs in its business transactions, CONNER
cial Importance, and tho stability of its pro-
gress, no thing can be further from the
truth. A little more than two years ago,
the business of Council Bluffs was transact
ed in cheap, ill-contrived, and uncomforta-
bic temporary buildings, now we can boast
of several large fine brick blocks, which will
compare favorably with any in the State.
We refer to Phoenix Block, Empire Block.
Palmer's Block, and Hagg's Block, the cost
of either of which exceeded that of the az
gregate cost Of the buildings formerly used
for the same purposes. Beside all the i'm
provements that have been made in Cou-
neil Bluffs for the past year, have been
Of the most substantial character. We have
one fine four story hotel now in use, and
another four story one nearly completed
Messrs. BENTON, PUsEY, BALDWIN, and Off
GER, have now nearly completed, respective
ly, as fine, large brick residences as can be
found in the State. But we are depressing
to return. Crescent City is not paper
town, by any means. 1t possesses vitality,
and those interested have the means to make
q considerable of 'splurse." That they
will do it, the past give to US evidence. But
that it will command attention as a rival of
Council Bluffs, we think is entirely out of
the question.
From Crescent City, our way lay along the
Missouri Bottom, at the base Of the Bluffs,
a1ording US magnificent view of the Mis-
souri, river. We could trace its mcander-
ings for miles up and down, by the timber
that skirts its banks on either side. In con-
templating the vast expanse Of rich prairie
land forming the bottom, we could not but
think what a glorious chance for the far
mers this section afforded. What beau
tiful sight it would be, were this vast bot
tom waving with fields Of corn-the
sound of its broad futtcring, leafy
robes, as the winds whispered through
them, would fall as pleasantly upon
the husbandman's ears, as the rustic of
garment upon the ears of an
swain. But this bottom is not
altogether waste. Large fields Of corn,
with its dancing tassels, meet the view of
the traveller upon every hand, bending un
der the yellow burden Of harvest. We new
er saw crops look better, nor ever heard
more general satisfaction expressed with re-
gard to the coming crop, than upon our late
tour to Harrison county.
Just above Crescent City, we were sur
prised in beholding magnificent frame
that would do honor to any
State or any county. Upon inquiry, We
learned that it was the residence of w. A.
REEL, Esq. 1t is really fine residence,
and situated upon commanding eminence.
Mr.. R. has fine farm, and everything be-
tokens that he is man of taste, energy
and go-aheaditativeness A few miles fur
ther on, over slippery roads and occasional
bluffs, and we crossed the Boyer River, and
obtained view Of the city (?) of ST. JoHS's.
This latter has hardly attained the position
to entltle it to the appellation Of city. 1t
contains several houses, saw-mill and
hotel. We were some distance from the
place, and are therefore unable to say aught
in relation to the amount Of business done
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