The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1857-11-19
For the 0ttumwa Courier
western Correspondence.
NO. 1.

NO. 1.
Having bid adeu for few months to Wap-
clio Co., and set out on little tramp, we deem
1t our duty sometimes to send back short ac-
count of scenes of interest which attract on
attention on the way. In travelling acros.
Iowa we were everywhere surprised and de.
lighted at the large crops. We have never in
any country seen half so much grain to the
number of inhabitants, or hay to The amount Of
stock as there is between Oskaloosa and Win
terset The people seem determined not to be
caught in the same fix this winter that they
were last We were somewhat surprised also
at the amount of Chinese Sugar Cane, grow
ing alorg the road. Almost every farmer had
little growing in his garden, and in several
places we saw two or three acres. We stop
ped near winterspt, where one man was
grinding it up, and there got tast not only
an excellent quality of molasses, but also
some sugar that he had made from II; although:
We have seen the statement that sugar could
not be made from it. The trial has proved
beyond doubt that this will become one of
at the trfling expense we can well say sfare-
wcll'' TO the eyorbhant prices we now pay for
sugar and molasses. Through the western
part of Iowa, the season has been drv, and the
grass on the prairie is short. We did not see
much grain or many inhabitants to USE it. -
Near Council Bluffs, the grasshoppers and
black-birds have been injuring the corn to
some extent.
Crossing over TO Omaha city, and then down
through Nebraska 10 Platte river. we could
not help being astonished at the number of
people thathave hocked in there to make them
selves homes. II Omaha City, Bellview, and
Plattsmouth, we found much TO interest US.
but about eight or ten mile, below the mouth
of Platte river, we found the town of Rock
Bluffs, ris ht in the center of Cass county on
the river. which we consider one of the most
beautiful situations for town we ever saw
A little over year ago there were but one or
two small cabins here, and now over one
hundred neat and commodcus dwelling hous-
es, stores, &C., are scattered over the town
plat. A weekly paper,-the Cass County
Sentinel, has also Just been started here, with
whose editor, Z. Giles, we had quite pleas
ant little chat. In company with s'The Cap
TAIN" one of the principal founders Of the
town. we took trip to the top of King Hill,
the bluff Oh the south side of town. This is
the highest point on the Missouri river FOR a
long distance, and from the summit the town
site between that and the upper bufF-two
miles distant, has somewhat the appearance of
one vast amphitheatre. but the ascent to the
west is very gradual, being only about fifty
five feet to the mile, until you reach the open
prairie beyond. Near the summit, an old In
dian Chief is buried with his face toward the
north, like a sentinel, as it were, to warn his
countrymen at the approch of the Sioux, and
other savage nations, who might come down
the stream while on the bluff to the north of
the town, another chieftain is buried with
his face toward the south. as guard against
southern intrusi,Hs; but this ole fellow has been
sadly remiss in his duty, for he has allowed
the whites coming up the river to seize upon
the beautiful land beneath him, and there
build up town. King Hill is the seat Of an
old indian romance, which | connot take time
to relate here now. From its summit the OBJ
server has one of the most magnific ent views oil
the river and surrounding country, that could
be imagined. Ten towas can be seen to The
north and soith, by looking up and down the
stream. For our own part, we could not re.
sist the temptation to perch o!rself in the top
of tree that stands out alone on the highes
point, and there wave our hat and give three
cheers as we viewed the world below. All
talk to me of the hardships which the tramp
ing tourist must endure. | wouli willingly
walk over again those hundreds of weary
miles, sleeping at night on the cold ground
and laughing at the wolves and rain which dis
turbed our slumbers when lying on the oper
prairie,--eas of Council Blafs, yes, wonl,
Willingly endure all this again rather than mis-;
what enjoyed in the two or three hours spen,
on the top Of King Hill. BIT once before dc
1--we ever remember having the same feelings
we had here, that was when standing on tbs
top of the Peaks OF Otter, five thousand six
hundred feet above the level Of The sea, witt
south. eastern Virginia spread ont like maj
beneath. IT'S trHe that was view on grand
e: scale than this; but then th.re is some
thing so wild, sweet and enchanting here, tina
one looks and looks rgain, and still feels 10th tc
leave the spot. Describing at last, however,
we partool1 of such meal as folks who stay al
home know nothing Of 1t is some satlssac-
ton for fellow to cat when he can sit at the
table and stow away victuals Cor half an hou
at time. We would gladly stay longer and
enjoy the hospitality of the warm hearted peo.
pie in this vicinity; bat the watc,lword is on
ward, anl these cold winds warn US that W,
must be IN oving on farther south and west. -
At other points along our rout, we may drop
few lines for the benefit of those who read thu
Courier. Till then, adieu.
J. ID. ATTERSON.
Rock BLUFFS, N. T., Nov. I'd, PSI. sr
sympathy for the Erring.