Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1861-03-16
SIOUX ClTN.-.ITS ADVANTAGE
AND PROSPECTS.
LETTER FROM JNO.. C. FLINT.
BANsos, February. 1861.

ptehSuic uisHiF lhtsiSstlnS huG aui'
article published in ths Sioux CRY REG
,sTrE Of Jan. 18th, upon the resources
and peculiar advantages OF Northwestern
Iowa. am glad tina, the public have a
length plain statement and description
Of that section of country from one so wei
qualified to Judge of its merits. The fac
that the writer is, and has been for many
years the land officer Of that district anc
consequently in full possession of all the
details Of government surveys, and in ad
dition, that he has made personal explo
ration OF the whole district, cannot fail te
give great weight to his statement
In the fall Of 1855, gave up a lucra
tive mercantile business in this city which
I had carefully nursed, and which had
been steadily increasing for years, simply
because o; physical inability to attend tc
it, and which made the sacrifice imperi
tive. My own inclination, strengthened
by the advice Of my physician, induced
me to attempt a visit to the Great West.
Accordingly on the Sd day of December,
1855, commenced my long and fatigue
Ing journey, making my way 'eisureiy as
my health would permit towards the set
ting sun. In month time found my.
self in the ever famous city Of Chicago,-
The farther west travelled. the better |
liked the country. AS had hoped, and
rs ny medical adviser encouraged, | found
trave! and change OF climate was eXerting
mos: favorable effect upon my physical
condition. Having friends in Chicago
tsrred there some ;ime very pleasantly in
recruiting my strength preparatory to a
visit to the State OF Wisconsin. | suhse
Quentiy spent several weeks in travel in
that aouvi-hing State, and al length found
my way to the city of Dubuque, in the
good State Of Iowa. II re, as at almost
all the important points. found old &C
ousintances ~ho had left Maine for the
purpose Of taking advantage Of the more
favorable opportunities for business in the
Wess. BY this time ay health had iu-
proved to that extent, that | was alnost II
new being. | began 10 tHiah had found
u sovereign remedy for the ills ct life, and
that by takjag up my residence in the
West, might again ENJOY the accompa-
nying blessings If good health.
lmmed ate i upon my arrival at Dubu'
que found that Sioux City ami its rsIa.
tions to Northwestern Iowa WAS exciting
a good deal of attention. Gen John
Hodgdou, equally well known in Maine
and Iowa, and /, whom | u,n indebted for
many tavors. with his customary shrewd
moss did no; f.il 10 realize the ,rue merits
of North WESTERN iowa. He called my At :
teation to Sioux City III particular as offer
ing the most favorable opportunities for
business enterprise Relying upon his
better Judgment, and WITH the most favor
able impressions on my own part, decid-
ed to visit that locality and take look
for myself. notwithstanding | must needs
travel some 800 miles by stage in the
dead Of Siut.r, with the prospect of en-
during many hsrdships before unknown to
me. Iou msy well imagine, my friends
III he East were perfectly astoUaded when
they learned had undertaken such a
hazardous trip, knowing my extreme dcbi-
lity when left Maine. Well, sir, you
know tho result | visited Sioux City; |
spent several weeks in careful exn,nina-
ton OF the country and its resources, and
satisfied myself as to the particular mer'
its of the Northwest, and of Sioux City in
country which surrounds i. On every hand
and which by the very nature Of its
locality, must ever be tributary to it
Having made up my mind upon mature
deliberation that Sioux City was destined
by its natural favorable position to be the
great entrepot for that whole region Of
country, ! acted consistently upon that
judgment. As you well know, laid many
lsnd warrants for Gen. Eodgdon and 9TH
er parties in Dubuque, and also for my
self, and for different individuals in the
State Of Maine also purchased real
estate in Sioux City and vicinity, and
have purchased more since, as permanent
investments. do not OTTER it for sale.
am content to wait with patience until
Sioux City assumes the true position of
her destiny, well knowing shall receive a
generous reward. | only regret that
have not more means to invest in that
locality.
Sioux City at tho time of nv visit il
the winter of 1856, contained only five log
houses. The nearest farm open was some
thirty miles distant, on the Little Sioux
river. The nearest saw.mll was some so
odd miles down the river, in the town Of
Calhoun In March as YOU well know, !
returned to Maine to raise means, and
make arrangements for permanent set
tlement in Sioux City Upon my return
west, | travelled by way Of St. Louis and
the Missouri river, taking passage (on her
pioneer trip on tn. Justly fayorite steamer
Omoha At St. Louis, shipped hnild.
ing by said steamer, together with gen.
eral stock OF stoves, tin ware. and other
goods in that line, paving freight at the
rate of 50! per each loo lbs weight
That building, was tho first frame house
erected in Sioux City but only by few