Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1857-08-29
For the Journal.
The Future OF MuscatiMe.

There is probably no careful observer OF
the progress Of things here, but occasionally
asks himself some questions of deem mo.
ment concerning the prospects of Muscatine.
Two years ago, when the writer first came To
this city, not store of decent dimensions
could be obtained at any reasonable or nm
reasonable rent. Then, there was, and for
some years previous there had been. a LARGE
influx OF emigration from the east, OCCASION
ing demand for goods of almost everv de-
scription. We then enjoyed, or rather suf-
fered, none of the disadvantages of railroad
communication. Trade was brisk, times
good, money easy. Having the ADVANTAGE
of being the most accessible river town
from central Iowa, we traded largely with
Iowa City, and places farther west: and
with great numbers of farmers and mer-
chants in the counties farther back, who now
find in Iowa City market for their produce
and nearly every description of goods fo,
which they then depended upon Muscatine.
Wholesale and retail dealers are all suffer-
ing from general depression in trade (allow.
ance made for harvesting and hard times,
and stores enough to supply the wants 81
the country trade and twenty-five thousand
local population. Leases are to be Obtain
ed on good terms, but no lessees, rents tn he
had, but nobody to rent Wheat and corn
never drug at their current price. do NOT
lind this market often as they did. nor in &c
large quantities. The country has increos 8.
Ell IN population, and we have railroad com.
munlcatlon with the east, and partially with
the west. More is produced by half lint &
finds Its way into other channels. The east
communication which railroads sunnlv ho,
tween the country towns and the laroe c;t;e,
measurably diminishes trade in the smaiIe;
cities, always.
Inc same resources that formerly contrib.
uted to the rapid growth of Muscatine. cal,
no longer be It's strongest dependence for in.
crease IN population and wealth. There is
now comparatively little emigration to the
larse towns on the river; the great flow is
west, and will be, to Kansas and Nebraska
to build up towns On the Missouri. Trade
there Is now prosperous, and the cities will
grow fast until those broad regions are mar
TALLY populated as are now Iowa and Min.
| nesOta.
The situation of this city RENDERING i
more accessible than other towns ON the
river from central Iowa, has been urged a,
reason why Muscatine must nnturoib
grow. Railroads that open a way for cen
trail supply much impair the force of tina
argument. Through such facilities Hmm
dreds and thousands of farmers who ono,
came here from long distances with grain
and pork find their market nearer home.
Suppose we have an eastern railway com
munlcation. Will Muscatinc then increas,
In trade and population in proportion to tn,
expectations Of spectators in real estate
1t will doubtless make this more shippine
or transhlpping point and perhaps increas.
| Wholesale trade, but even the wholesaler,
may find that when communication is TIM,
made easy with larger places many of thei,
present customers, whether for their owl
advantage or not will prefer going farther
east for supplies.
Upon what, then, in the future, must
Muscatlne depend for permanent growth and
prosperity ? the development of her own re.
sources by giving Il hel ping hand to those who
would engage in manufacturing enterprises
1t Is just here precisely, that | wish to Offer
suggestion or two that require to be con.
sidercd. Manufacturing will certainly ad-
vance us in emlnence and enterprise. Who
| needs be told that we ought to make some
things to sell, rather than buy erery th;nq
'ce sell? We must, or drag behind Men fire..
qnently come here and offer us strong in
ducements to start manufacturing concerns
that we k"oo must pay they are not prop
erly encouraged, and leave to establish
themselves in places that are not stupid
enough to imagine they are going ahead
when they are standing still. A gentleman
of enterpri e, whom we ought to keep among
us, now offers to start manufacturing hr \
mess that will pay good dividend. Re-
sponsble parties in rival city offer to raise
the necessary means in short time. Shall
we let him go?
CITIZEN.