The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1861-03-30
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IOWA

Iowa, next to Illinois is destined to la one sf m
most psoauctiye States in the far West Her rich
uudglaHg lands her vast water-power and extensive
mineral resources already well known 70 the pe-
pie of this country, ana being rapidly DEVELOPED
Not least among the Inducements 10 immigrants held
out by Iowa, !. al skseiIeat climate.
The above extract we clip from the n. Y.
Times, for the purpose Of showing opr
readers that the merits Of the State of Iowa
are approximately appreciated outside of
Its borders. We care not to cavil at the
opinion expressed, that 'Iowa. next to
liIincis, is destined to be one of the most
productive States in the far West''-,hougb
the facts warrant US in saying that Iowa is
s'cond to no State in the Union in produc-
tiveness. Without institutiug an invidious
comparison with other western States, we
may say that Iowa to-day offers the greatest
Inducements to those who contemplate, from
any cause, settlement in the West. To
the Farmer, the Mechanic and the Capitalist.
the valley of the Missouri holds out induce
ments second to those of no other section
of country. The special advantages of
Western Iowa, We will state as briefly as
possible.
]. The existence of Gold in large quanti-
ties along the Eastern base of the Rocky
Mountains, no longer admits of a doubt.
For uunumbered years, these almost limit
less mines, will afford employment for
thousands npon thousands of persons. This
population will be mainly dependen. upon
the section Of country bordering on the
Missouri River for beef, pork, flour, corn.
provisions Of all kinds, mules, horses and
cattle-thus atfording to the people of the
Missouri Valley IA home marltet for everv-
thing they can raise. This will continue SO
long as the Gold mines will pay for working,
for the mining region is wholly unsuited to
the purposes of agriculture.
II. The very best farming lands can be
had here, at very low prices. The Mormons
are anxious to get 'under the protecting
wings" Of Brigham Young, at Salt Lake
City, and hence are offering improved farms
at exceeding low figures. Besides, there
are thousands of men who bought, in good
times, much more land ban they needed for
farming purposes, and are now desirous OF
selling portion of the same. In fact,
many of them are compelled to sell part
in order to enable them to secure the rest.
and to make much needed Improvements.
The very best of farming lands can now be
bought in Western Iowa, at from two to
fifteen dollars per acre. These lands vii!
speedily increase in value, as this whole
section is making gigantic strides even now,
in the way of Improvements. Upon the
completion of the Council Bluffs and ST.
Joseph Railroad, they will, without doubt,
be held at more than twice the value now
fixed upon them. This road runs along the
valley Of the Missouri River, and will be
completed within the next year. thus giving
this whole valley direct Railroad communi-
cation with the I" United" as well as the
"Confederate" States of America.
These advantages, if known and appre-
eiated at their intrinsic value by those con-
templating settlement on the western
prairies, could but have the effect Of indu-
cling many hundreds to migrate to Western
Iowa, who would otherwise find homes in
the interior of Iowa or Illinois. All we Of
Western Iowa. ask of the immigrant, is a
careful consideration of the advantages Of
this section, and candid comparison with
those of other localities, "be.ore purcha-
sing" as the merchants say. If this be but
granted, we can afford to contenteaiy bide
the result.