St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1858-03-25
Floyd County, Iowa;

we shall not publish the M,alige,cer ne,
week.
- Floyd County, Iowa;
III Location, Adpantages and inducements 10 Tho,
Seeking Homes ~ the West
BY reference to the map the geographical position
Iowa IL seen to be nearly in the centre Of the Unite
States. The Mississippi River upon the East and the Mi
souri, River upon the West both navigable the othe
natural advantages such climate soil aud productions
together with numerous railroad facilities and the pos
session Of an intelligent and cnterpring population
indicate that Iowa will ere long become the mos
wealthy and influential States of the Union.
The area of Iowa is 81 900 square miles In 1896 it
population 10, 53l in 40, 49, lI6 in ~, II $50
So 1872 ol in 49, sos ,e25 The Presidential vote
1856 was 1884. The taxable property in 1881, wa
$50; 49, ~, 54o,3o4; in IS, SIG sos 80,
and in 1857, s2lO, 5s3. The present population Of Ii
State Is estimated at 500, 900.
Certain events of the las, few years have to some e,
tent changed the tide of emigration The withdrawal
the public lands from market during the location of III
different railroad routes and the selection of lands gran
cd them the Kansas excitement aud the attraction
emgrants thither the systematic efforts to lead North
crn settlers to Virginia and other slave states have tenn
porary diverted emigration from Iowa But change i
now taking place. The government lands Of this State
amounting to many millions Of acres are again offered 70
sale and their recent exclusion from market has on
tended TO make known their richness and value. A
this time no State Territory hold out nducemcnt
to settlers equal TO Iowa and Is the opinion OF dis
corning men that the year 1858 will witness large
immigration to this State than any preceding one
FLOYD COUNTY Iowa, is situated seventy miles Yves
OF the Mississippi River; the counties of Clayton
Fayette and Chickasaw lying between il and the River
and Mitchell county between and Minnesota upon tn,
North The Cedar River the principal stream averag
ing about sixty yards In width, and running in South
easterly direction through the County. rises nearl,
one hundred miles distant, In Minnesota rapid in it,
course, affords abundant water power and is remarkable
for the purity Of its waters and the abundance Of heav,
timber and excellent stone quarres along its course
There are also several other streams Of considerable
size in the County, the principal Of which the Mt
Cedar River Flood Creek, Shell Rock and Lime Rivers
The general course of all these streams is South east
and several Of them afford good water powers.
The surface Of the County Is gently undulatng or roll
ing with no high hills and very little fiat or perfectly
level land, which so often malaral diseases.
The soil of the prairie lands Is deep and exceedingly
fertile. is well suited 10 growing the grains and fruits
Of the Middle and New England States The Silica alu
nina, and other component parts Of the SOIL are in such
proportion as To render ssceny dry for tage, and
yet not liable to suffer from drouth good crop is al.
most certain. Most of the subsol is claycy, which
would be retentve Of fertilizers should they ever be re-
qured while ON the margin Of the streams limestone or
gravel is frequently found beneath the surface.
The latitude Is that Of Central New York and Massachu-
sets. The climate Is mlder and the atmosphere more
nvigorating than in those regions The Spring is remark
ABLY early; the sky much like that Of New England the
atmosphere less humid the cold less severely felt the
weather less chsneeable while the steady breczes and
plentiful supply Of excellent render this section Of
country comparatively free from the scourge of pumona
~ consumption and congenai TO health than most
Of the Atlantic States.
Our County has grown rapidly and Is now in prosper
ous oondon-exccp temporary stagnation Of business
but is young and vigorous and will soon recover
rom the effects of the hard times Those who
ian start with little capital but willing hearts and
hands, and grow up with the place and people, occupy
The positions in life 10 which their abilities may entitle
them.
Tho area Of Floyd County is over 500 square miles, or
equato than 1000 farms Of so acres each The val
uaon OF real ana personai p.~r...,, shown by the
assessment Of 1857, 81 1855 7s9. There were also
7l9 horses, 1920 neat cattle, ass sheep, and 1865
swine There towns election precincts and
ten postofices, within the County AT the August cleo
ion, In 1851 the whole number OF votes the Coun
y was 719, from which approximate estimate can be
made Of the population which Is believed TO be ut least
1000.
ST. CHARLES CRY l. the County Seat II is situated in
he valley Of the Cedar River, 10 miles due West from
cGregor, the Mississippi and 80 miles South of the
Minnesota Line. The village is laid both sides Of
he Rver-to be connected by substantial bridge Of
single span 1S5 feet in length, erecting. It occupies
he site where formerly stood village Of the Wnnebago
indians. In June, 1855, contained but one frame build.
ng since which time the growth Of the place has been
apd. II now numbers than one hundred dwelling
houses, together with school house and two good
Schools elegant church edi1ce large stone court
house now nearly enclosed two large hotels excellen,
Touring mill with three Of stones. and saw mill both
propelled by water power, expensive steam power
saw MILL two lath mills, ten stores of different kinds
well appointed newspaper and job printing Office profes
'onal men and mechanics Of various kinds. The wa
er power here is considered superior to any other in
he upper Cedar River valley.
FLOYD is another thriving town. six miles north of st.
'hares City, handsomely situated upon both sides Of
he Cedar River. II contains one hotel four stores
Iood Touring mill three mills, one ath mill profes.
ional men and mechanics Of different descriptions The
low nearly one hundred dwelling houses and other build.
ngs good stone school house the purpose for
'age school and for religious worship. Some Of the
private residences and stores quite elegant.
,ood water power here Is partially improved and sub
ion.
fu plateau at the junction Of Shell Rock Lime rivers
Instant about fourteen miles West from ST. Charles City
now numbers one hotel, three Stores two saw mills
me lath mill one shingle mill, one blacksmith shop
me school house and twenty six dwelling houses.
Touring mill Is now erecting. There Is water power
upon both rivers each side Of the town. already
improved.
MARBLE Rock in the South western part Of the County
pon each side of the Shell Rock laid out in June
s55, and contains twenty one dwelling houses one oh
Ell, one store, steam and water mill -four
ne mill now building, good school house. one physician
mechanics, &c. There is here good water power.
Rock Grove and Nora Springs are newer and smaller
o~ns upon the Shell Rock in the North portion Of
he County; each containing Store Saw Mil, School
iouse, &c, with rich surrounding country.
Al Rverton, Ripley, Flood Greek, Watertown and How
Tdve there are promising settlements and their loca
ions and present improvements give evidence Of their
uture rapid growth Saw mis, mechanics shots good
choo houses, &C. found these and other places
md give evidence Of the enterprise Of the people
AT numerous places within the county materials for
rout or gravel wall building cheap and abundant
md several subtanal Of the kind have been
rectcd.
railroad is now constructing from McGregor On the
lssisspp, Westward which is to pass through Floyd
,ounty and will reach at distant day This is 10 be
continuation Of the lines Of railroad from Chicago and Mil
yankee whose termin at Prairie du Chen on the
Wisconsin side Of the Mississippi opposite Mcregor Dur
ng the past fall and present winter several hundred men
have been actively engaged in grading the road.
Another, the Cedar Valley Railroad Is to pass through
he County In North and South direction and is certain
of completion at an early day. AT the Minnesota line
This road will connect with the Southern terminus Of the
road from St Paul. to which large amount of land has
been granted by Congress From the Line this road pas
ses down the valley Of the Cedar River to Cedar Rapids
where inersects and is in fact branch of the Chicago
Iowa and Nebraska Railroad AT Cedar Falls or Waterloo
distance Of 90 miles from Minnesota and only 30 miles
roN Floyd County it ntersects crosses the Dubuane
Pacific Railroad. Latte d,i,,