The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1858-05-29
From the Tamaqua Pcnn.) Gazette.
Council Bluifs-Itx Prospects.

Council BLUFFS. Iowa, April, 1855.
Mr.. EDlroR:-Permit me through your
columns to give general response to nu
merous letters received from various parts
of Pennsylvania, inquring the present and
future prospects of our city, and Western
Iowa, chances for investment, &c. The past
years experience has induced the belief that
many in writing ure influenced by mere idle
curiosity, others too lazy to work, and in
possession of few hundred dollars, are so
visionary as to suppose that the investment
thereof in some new country, would, in a
short period, "sweat' them out fortune
without labor on their part. 1t is true the
dreams of such might be realized by some
lucky strike, though it is the opinion of the
writer that the chances are against them
Observation and experience have shown the
folly of mans efforts to throw off the curse.
''By the sweat of thy brow shalt thou eat
thy bread" &c. To those really DESTROYS
of emigrating, and resolved to bear manful-
ly the light and temporary inconvenience
of all new countries, in possession OF suf
fcient means to secure home and embark
in business, would say the present pros
poets here are sufficiently tlatterins to justi
fly the expense required to make tour of
the country, and satisfy themselves by per-
sonal observation. 1t is seldom we hear of
any one returning East, after short sojourn
among the fertile valleys Of the West. The
Missouri slope from the State line of Mis-
souri, to the Northern borders of Iowa, is
lucumparably tho most magnificent body of
land ever bchcld; uplands and bottom I'M
surpassed in fertility, every species of Grain,
Vegetables and Grasses reaching a high de-
gree of perfection. This region is peculiar
| ~ adapted for rearing stock, though as yet
few have given it their attention. The wild
grass of the prairies, experience has shown
to be fully equal to timothy, blue grass or
clover, and in sufficient abundance to render
the cultivation of grass useless labor for
several generations to come. Experiments
made in raising sheep have been very en-
couraging; wool growing must in a few
Years prove greater source of wealth to
Iowa, than any other production. Flocks
require little or no attention, free from the
diseases incident to other climes, owing, it
is supposed, to the dryness of the atmos-
pherc. Any pursuit tending to set aside la
Dor, becomes very popular in the Vest
Send us the most Industrious man you can
find, and in one year, | venture the asser-
spent in bed, or reclining on the sunny side
of hill, schemins for living by his wits,
or dreaming of good time coming. This
Incidence is the only malady peculiar to the
climate, and for which no panacea has vet
been found. Chills and fevers, so preva-
lent in all new countries, are rarely witnessed
here. | have seen more cases in one season
IN Illinois and Indiana, than during five
years residence in Council Bluffs. The only
plausible reason yet given, has been ad-
vanced by lloosier, who declares we are
too lazy to shake.
Owing to tho severity of the winters in
Wisconsin and Minnesota, many families
from those States arc now seeking homes in
Iowa. Kansas, overrun with adventurous,
holds out no inducements for men Of small
means, choice lands being all occupied and
held at exorbitant prices. Nebraska, as is
we'll known, excepting the river counties, is
| fit only for the savage and buffalo, and those
counties seem to be held in reserve for build.
ing cities. In view Of the Bluffs, we have
Omaha, Florence and Saratoga. The two
former separated by distance of six miles
only, and Saratoga in the centre, while all
the ground intervening is laid off into lots,
save few quarter sections, unfortunately
for the claimants, have been dumped" for
agricultural purposes, South Omaha and
Bellevue are sufficiently near to be incorpo-
rated with the rival cities already named
Those desiring city lots for speculation will
find good supply in Nebraska. Council
Bluffs, located on the east side of the river,
in the State of Iowa, stands without ri.
val. The terminus Of the NJ. & NJ. Rail-
road, crossing the centre of the State BY
way of Des MONIES, the capital, Iowa City,
Davenport and Chicago. commands the trade
Of Il country sufficient to build up and sus-
tain large and populous city, wild specu-
latiou having been avoided by our business
men. We have suffered comparatively but
little from the panic which has desolated
other places, good property can be purchas-
ca at present at very low figures, for cash.
| Inc commencement of work however, a,
this end OF the route during the summer,
will cause rapid advance, and present
rich field for the capitalist and Spectator,
Mr.. Farnam, the contractor, is expected
here in May. and is expected to push this
road through with much energy. Money
now readily commands fifteen to twenty per
cent, in some cases much higher, owing to
the character of the paper.
Our present population numbers 1900.
and a large accession is expected this spring.
We have eighteen three-story brick stores,
from some of which goods are sold to the
amount of 100000 annually. This bust
ness, so immense for new point, is owing
to the concentration of trade at one place.
Settlers here having turned their attention
to something more solid than building paper
cities. The only village near us on this side