The Iowa transcript. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1858-1866, 1861-12-05
TAylA COUNTY,.

CountleS; on the East .! IDeu'ou 70,
on the South by Powcshic|s Co; and on
the West by Marshall and Grundy Coun-
ties. It comprises 70 congressional
townships, each being six miles square
and containing SO square miles. Her
extreme length from North to South is
thirty miles, and width, from east to
west twenty four miles.
ThcIowa river crosses the western
beundry line near it4 centre, and then
meandcrs in a south eastern course,
leaving the county ncar tie south east
corner.
Into this river, from the north, flows,
Salt Creek, Otter Creek, Deep Creek,
| sugar Greek and several other smaller
ones; from the South, Mchland Greek,
Indian Greek, Raven Greek ard
still others of less note. On the north
Wolf Creek extends entirely across
The county from west to east, and
cmpties into Cedar river, few miles
east Of the North East corner of our
county. Some Of these creeks are
quite long. Wolf and Salt Greeks can.
not be less than % miles in length.
deep Creek 20, Otter ard Richlanl
Creeks Is or g miles. These are the
lengths ofsheir general course; an ac-
curate measurement, following their
short and many meanderings would
show them to be at least twice as long.
Thcy all have numerous brarches which
|rupply them and drain the country,
Through which they pass. The land
preceding from their banks to distance
from one cigrh TO three fourths Of
mile is nearly level and is usually de
dominated ''botto II land J" the greater
par: OF which is available, and the most
productive in the world Ii some
places however the rolling prairics and
bluffs commence at the banks cf these
btrcams. The ''bo:tom land" along
he Iowa river is much more extensive
han that ofthc creeks; extending bcl,
rom the river in some places, between
NO and three miles. The banks u.
his river are lined with heavy timber,
rom fourth to i mile in breadth. The
most OF the large creeks are skirtcd
With timber from a few rods 10 a quar-
cr OF a mile in breadth, and on the
lvcraGc tor about, ono half their length.
The greater part oflhc blutfland in the
country extends along the line of the river
nd bounds the bottom land. 1tvarics in
vid,h from a single swell to six or seven
niles, and averaging about one mile.
j. usually, sparscly covered with
'mbcr; some places however, hay, not
ny, while others arc denscly covered
nth It, forming first quality Of timber
aud for any country. These bluffs,
Though the poorest lands We have in
PC county, are far from being non
rodnciivO, i'll fact, owing to convcn.
'sace 70 timber, and other inducements.
2 great proportion, Of them are now
cultivated as Of our rolling pr;,iuies and
ottom land.
There arc but few bluffs aloag Wolf
ID Otter Greeks, and none upon the
Sst banks Of Salt and Deep creeks.
nc remaining part Of the county con-
sts Of gentle rolling prairies as beauti-
y as the sun ever shone upon nearly
fery foot of which, as well as the bot
an land, arc susceptible of the highes,
alto Of cultivation.
For Fix or eight miles, from the
|o"th ct Wolfcreck, there may be found
pnklderahlc timber along it's banks;
h'ie farther up stream, is a number Of
royes Of good timber, containing from
Ienty TO a hundred acres each. Bnt
tho greater portion Of timber is 81
ated in the Southern halfofthc county,
s'~'S isSsssa y SA-i IsAiIiIcI OWLS 4 piece
timber land, within his reach. The
pst evidence Of the abundance Of tim
y in this part Of the county, IS, that
sells At tho county seat for 81 so per
Prd. This has been the price since
golden days OF Sc G7, and probably
IL be for some time 10 come.
Under the liberal provisions for
hools in our State and the enterp, isc
orr people, Schoolhouscs have
fnng up almost as if by magic. SO
ncl attention has been paid to this
|portant enterprise, that they mark
most every cross road, and in some
Dtances We have questioned whether
eir proximity. did not weaken rather
~ strengthen shc enterprise. Many
them are amply large, painted and
ishcd in a good substantial manner,
owing that "white folks" i've here.