The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-08-14
Trip to VintOn.

Trip to Vinton.
re- On Saturday last, in company
with Judge TABOR, we started to attend
the Mass Meeting of the Republicans OF
Benton County, at Vinton. We rode
rapidly over the twenty FIVE miles of beau.
tiful prairie intervening between our own
town and the countyseat of Benton, see-
ing nothing worthy Of particular remark
save fields loaded with the bounteous
harvest The wheat crop is very gener-
ally harvested and in stack, but oats are
still in the field, much in shocks Corn
is green and healthy. and loaded with
great. hanging ears. Not cloud dark
ems the face Of the farmer. aud even the
most ungrateful find it hard to get up
grumble. When approaching the vi
entity of Brandon, in our own county, we
found well settled, we'll cultivated, and
beautiful country. denoting communi-
~ of considerable prosperity. We did
not pass through the best portion of Ben
ton County. by any means, but still got
an occasional glimpse OF the boosted
richness Of the Cedar Valley.
Vinton is wholly on the west side of
the Cedar, and we reached it BY cross
ing the river on long and substantial
bridge, at which a not very wise policy
permits toll to be taken The town is
built on the open prairie, and lacks that
diversity which trees and shade impart
The eye is permitted 10 take it in at once,
and 1t has consequently an air of com
pactuess. The Court House is tasteful
and substantial structure, and the square
in which it stands is well fenced, nicely
seeded. and contains number of fine
growing trees. Altogether it presents
very handsome appearance. The town
can boast of two good hotels. and mine
host, JACKSON, of the Shields Hou Sc,
knows how to administer TO the comfort
OF the traveller. We had but little time
TO look about the town. but noticed that
the march Of improvement has not been
entirely stayed. Mr.. WATSON is Just
finishing one ofthe prettiest cottage res
licences that we have seen in the interior
Of the State. We also noticed one or two
brick stores going up. and quite a mum
Der OF residences Of good style seemed to
be Of but recent construction, whence we
gathered the conclusion that Vinton
has plenty Of vitality. Her buildings,
however. are not generally as good as
those of our own village. We visited
the new Deaf and Dumb Asylum build
ding. which is located upon high point
OF ground about half mile from the
town. It's dimensions are los feet in
length by about 60 in width, and when
finished it will certainly be an object of
state pride. It's built of beautiful
white limestone. the product of the neigh
borhood. and the outer walls are all of
dressed stone. The architectural design
OF the building is very fine, and it is one
OF the most substantial buildings we have
ever seen. The extent Of foundation
wall is very great, and all the partition
walls above the basement are Of brick
The structure has reached nearly to the
top Of the second story. and whatever
may be thought Of the action Of the Com.
na'ssioners in exceeding their inslruc-
s'ops as to the cost Of the building. we
doubt if the most csptious, after viewing
II. would refuse TO acknowledge that the
Building is a receipt in full for every dol.
lar expended. Work is to be resumed
upon Is next week.
We paid visit to the Eagle office. and
found. As we expected, one of the bes,
provided printing establishments in the
interior OF the State And we are glad
70 hno~ that the people Of Benton Coun.
appreciate the fact that they have one
Of the best county papers in the State.
We acknowledge cordial welcome and
many attentions. from Messrs. DRusMonp
d HANroRD. It's editors. Also from Mr..
Scnurrs and family. We had also the
qualification Of meeting JOE Davenport, |
Of the Cedar Rapids Times, one of the
most social fellows alive.