Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1861-05-17

Correspondence Of the Journal
En- Route for California.
RED Rock, Marion Co., Iowa.
Thursday, May 2, 1861.
Mn. MAHM: Since wrote 70 you last, we
have passed through the towns Of Sigourney,
in Keokuk county; Oskalooss, in Mahaska
county and Pella, and Red Rock, in Marion
now about l25 OF 1870 miles
from Nuscatine, and two weeks on the road.
We were unavoidably detained few days,
however, which will account for our slow pro-
gress, even for OK. teams. Travelling with
oxen is undoubtedly tedious and ,wearisome
thing, but it has enabled us to note the con-
dltion OF affairs in those counties through
which we have passed with much more salts
faction than we could otherwise have done;
and Gull from my journal the following
items, which may possess some interest:
In passing through Keokuk county, we
noticed that the farmers were busily engaged
in preparing for corn planting. The wheat
in this county appears to be much more ad'
yanced than in Washington and Louisa
large portion of it being Winter wheat.
Keokuk county is probably as well watered
and timbered as any county in the State, and
is settled by thrifty and enterprising peo-
pie. At Sigourney, we found the militia y
spirit IS much aroused as at the river towns,
and leading citizen told US, that if needed,
four or five companies could be readily raised
| in the county.
Mahaska county is not so we'll timbered as
Keokuk, but is we'll watered, the North and
South forks of Skunk river and their tribu-
tariss all pass through it. l was surprised
to find such an evidence of thrift and pros.
perity as I noticed at Oskaloosa. The K
& d. v. Railroad is finished within ten miles
of the city-and found here copy Of the
Burlington Daily Hawkeys on the morning
of its publication. When the road Is com
pleted to Oskaloosa her citizens will posses:
facilities not surpassed by any other interior
town in the State Burlington now enjoys
the rich trade of this region, which ought t.
have been secured by Muscatine, by promp
action on the part of her citizens. The peo
pie of Oskaloosa, irrespective of party, ex
hibit the most enthusiastic Union feeling
and two military companies were prompt.
organized in response to the call Of the Gov
ernor. One of the citizens of the vicinit
informed me that man had been imprison
ed there COR expressing determination
should war be wsged against the South, t
take up armsin her defence. This summar
manner of dealing with Northern traitor
will no doubt effectually put a stop to sue
expressions in this quarter.
1 AtOskaloosa, we took the Desmoines road
which we kept until five or six miles west
Pelia, where, by the advice Of number
persons, we turned to the left by way Of tn
"Red Rock road" which is probably tn
shortest and best route to Omaha City.
Pella is Holland settlement, and COZ
tains about 1900 inhabitants, three fourths {
whom are Hollanders. 1t is most decided
. Holland town, and is noted for the numbe
of business signs displayed, which woul
probably, if enumerated, cut number thos
, of New York city. The dwellings, bushes
, houses and stables, in most instances, q,
E under the same roof, and yet, strange as
may seem, everything is scrupulously clea
> and well regulated. The buildings are mos
) ly one story in height and Of small dinner
sions; the streets age broad and clean, an
the side walks paved with small round stones
which renders the walking excellent in a
kinds of weather. A fine large publ
square, surrounded by shade ;Teets, add
much to the romantic appearance of the plac'
, A Baptist College is located here, which in
, stitution, has large number of pupils, an
, is in Furnishing condition. The country
the neighborhood of Pella is very fat, an
no doubt reminds the Hol!ander of his Fatt
erland in this respect. A noticeable peculiar
ty Of the farming Of the people is, that thei
farms are fenced only along the highway, an
, lay all together for mile or two around tn
, town.
Red Rock is situated on the east side G
the Desmoines river, thirty miles below tn
city of Desmoines and is so called from tn
fact of there being high bluff of red sand
stone short distance above. The stone,
am told, makes excellent building material
and is said to be abundant.
But will close for the present, promisin
to drop youa line from the Missouri river.
Yours, &c, +. ". S.