True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1858-02-03
FOR THE TRUE AMERICAN.
Western Sketches.
MUsCATINE, Iowa.,


Jan. 10, 1858.
Mr.. EDITOR THE True american
reaches me punctually each week, keep
ing me posted on affairs in Steubenville,
and its contents are of great interest to
me. Meanwhile, l propose 10 say some
thing to your readers, in an humble way,
about Iowa generally, and Muscatine in
particular, SO far as my knowledge goes,
which, though limited, is sufficient to
convince me that the west is considerable
exaggerated in the east, especially in re-
gard 10 its cities. While l aCkno wledge
that the cities of the west grow fast, with
due regard for truth, | must say that
New York and London still have slight
chance at predominence, and in all proba-
biiIy will not be compelled 10 acknowl-
edge their inferiority for some months to
come. 1t is notorious fact, that some
men " interested" have endeavored to
convey the idea that Iowa, in general
with the West, bas greater natural advan.
tages, and is inhabited by more enter
prising class of citizens than the older
states-this has been done by spectators
who, not willing to let "good enough
alone," have gulled the people with over
whelming stories and caused men who
were well situated in their old homes
to leave, and try new ones in the West
mistaken mortals. ...
Taking an opposite view, and scraping
up facts favorable to the West, it has, l
think, been considerably slandered on
some points. For instance, the weather
has been represented as being exceeding
ly cold, which is to some degree the truth,
but / have seen colder days in Ohio, than
I have as yet, in Iowa / speak for this
part of Iowa-Muscatine county, which
is rather in the southern part Of the state.
The Mississippi is now open at this
point, although it froze over in November,
not however firm, enough 10 allow pedes.
trians 10 cross on the ice.
Musca,ine county has some beautiful
land, and the farmers will in time be able
10 do their work with greater ease than
in more billy and rugged states where
the land is not so favorable 10 the use Of
machines, indeed they are used here noU
almost altogether by the more extensive
farmers. Although wood is burned to
great extent in Muscatine, coal IS easily
obtained, part Of it coming from Rock
Island county, ILL.,, which lies opposite
this place. Wages are better in this
country than they are in Ohio, but the
price Of living is something higher also.
Taking stand between the advantages
and disadvantages Of this country, think
j. is decidedly "some," il not more, .
and may say as has been said before, tha
"it is the place for young man. or any
man of limited means," for being new
country, it is not 50 flooded with "olt
fogyism.' Homes can be bought hert
for less than in the east, and will in course
Of time, be equal 10 the best. But 10 I
man established in life.-" don't subjec
yourself to the Inconvenience Of anew
country" '@ 'a aaa -" ~
Iowa, like her sister States. is a victim
Of the general financial revulsion, and al
though destitute Of incorporated banks. il
overAowed with I" shinplasters," the Ia
security Of which will perhaps come
down heavy on number Of business mel
in Musoatine. Nebraska "wil,l cats
have had quite an extensive circulation
here, but the people are getting afraid o
them, and handle them with caution. =
The newspapers hereabou,s keep us sucl
spirited discussion, on this subject, tina
a person might be led 10 think that ,h'
editors were wild cats themselves. True
Muscaline has been blessed with few sus
pensions, break-ups, &c., but accounts o
the suspension Of business men and o
newspapers throughout the state are yer.
common. n H9t " H
The State election having passed Of
to the success Of the Republican party
the principal political topic--wiih the ex
ception Of some excitement about Doug
las "grea! speech"--is the Iowa Sena
torsLip. Il Is generally though, tina
, Gov. Grimes will be the man, al,houg
some Republicans are in favor Of knock
ing him into "pi." 5 s. E. J.
Ifthe Bible were a weekly journa