Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1859-06-23
Die klnson County.

Inasmuch - North Western Iowa il
but little known to the non resident, and
ito character for soil, climate, timber and
water is . subject Of frequent inquiry-ve
propose to lay before our readers such
inform alton IS we have been able to gath.
er FROM the most reliable sources, touch.
ing this portion q our State. The above
county, which lies near the head waters Of
the Des Moines, is traversed by the Little
Sioux River. and noted for its dry rolling
prairie and numerous lakes. These lakes
are not surface water collected from the
surrounding table land and calculated to
generate disease, but they are led by liv-
ing springs. Their water is for the most
part pure and bealthy--ther margins and
beds covered with pebbles. There are
three-known as Spirit and Okobosi
lakes-separated by narrow isthmuses,
and which form beautiful sheets of water
semi. circular in form aud covering
"u"oSS VI SQUARE mics.
These abound with an excellent species
of salmon. Upon their margins are va
liable groves Of oak, linn. ash and wal.
nut. The surrounding prairie is high and
undulating, thus making the locality one
Of romantic beauty. Here is the only
timber and the only settlement in the
county. But there are discernible that
thrift and comfort, which are the gifts Of
industry and intelligence. The pleasant
town of Spirit Lake is situated On East
Okobogi, and within the partial circuit of
these lakes. The tone of society is far
above that Of most frontier towns. There
are about fifty voters in the settlement
aud nearly oil with fa.tering hopes in
seed time and harvest" are Anteus like
seeking prosperity from the soil
The soil Of Dickinson varies from the
rich black Of most western prairie-to a
coarse gravel. and contains large insre-
dent Of lime. 1t is drained by numerous
creeks that are clear and rapid. The
climate is invigorating and healthy, bu,
the county owing to the scarcity Of timber
is considerably exposed to the winds which
prevail to greater or less extent in this
region. 1t is difficult for the settler to Fl nd
any single locality which combines all the
advantages Of an ideal home without any
Objectionable features. In common with
North. Western Iowa, the one great desi-
deratum OF Dickinson is timber. Although
she has enough to supper, hourishing
settlement, yet there is not enough to
place the great body of her territory un.
de. cultivation. Give her some artificial
means of furnishing the settler with COW
efing and fuel, ard she will rejoice iu
agricultural wealth.
May we not hope at no very distant day
to see this want supplied by road from
Sioux City to Manka,o? Such a project
contemplates but about 100 miles If road
OF easy construct ion. This would open
up to us the extensive pineries of North
ern Minnesota and Wisconsin, ard supply
Us with the most valuable lumber. at mo
derate figures, and make Sioux CITY an
important lumber market for the North
Missouri country. The importance and
feasibility Of such q work argue strongly
in its favor.
We regret that Dickinson is quite
strongly tisetured with Republicanism.-
She deserves q better fate. But there is
yet hope Of her political regeneration,
should the infatuated PRrscorr succeed
IN his colonization scheme, and visit her
with the deep affection of an African co.
Iony. Human nature under such circum
stances would be changed indeed if it did
not revolt at the spectacle and bless the
bred Scott decision.
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