The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-01-07

HEAD QUARTERS 5th Iowa Reg't I
Boonville, Mo-, Dec. 20, 6l.
FRIEND Rich Many times, AS have
stood gazing upon the city of Bnonvlllr,
set like gem in the bracelet of hills
that encircle it. have felt thar it deser
we'd more than passing notice, and was
worthy of having its euology written
as place once glorious, proud in lis
opuleIce, but whose vigor and freshness
had now passed away forever. The
winds,a they sweep over the wide plains
OF the east, sigh morntully among the
ruins Of classic cities, and bring up
strange M mories TO US, Of those who
once inhabited their halls. of The time
when peace and plenty reigned, and the
market places and forums contained the
riches and beauty of the civilized world.
In imag inaiion We hear the eloqurnce OF
FULLY holding mute crowds entrancrd.
Or behold the form oi RANENT, weudin.
the streets with his wares in quest of -
purchaser. Feelings akin to these take
possession of the mind OF the beholder
as he z yes upon this city, beautiful in
all ihe decorations Of nature and appli
ances of art, aud sees that southern vaud
alism. which. under state OF society in
augurated by the souh, has stripped her
of all auornments and beggared her il
trade. Boonville is of some forty year
growth, and WAS first founded by The
noted hunter and explorer, Daniel Boone
He built the first log hut by small
ravne TO the southwark Of the ely. and
the old settler can still point you To -
few of the moldering ruins. The locs
ion is admirably chosen, combining
convenience, utility and beauty together
ia manner rarely surpassed. Th.
river banks, which below are high and
precipitous. here descend by gentle
plane TO the waters edge and rise back
in succession OF five rolling hills
Tradition records that Boone, who was
in his dolage. becoming affected with a
presentiment that he was not To sury We
much longer, and resolved TO leave some
thing practical by which posterly could
remember him, went down TO the river 5
bank and there upon a broad surface ol
limestone inscribed his name. There is
no deception about this. for there il still
stands in bold relief. cut as high AS a
man can reach in the solid rock. | douhl
some whether il were his hands thai
guided the chisel. but still il will do Ia
speculate upon, and afford wonder 10 the
antiquarian and credulous traveller. The
pyramids of Egypt are not covered with
more symbols or mystic characters than
these rocks, some Of them bearing date A.
far back as the year 1913. The Cana
dian voyagers. hunters, irappers, and EN-
ployees Of the American Fur Company
always made practice Of registering
their names. prior to taking the snnua
trip up the river. The city is laid ou, in a
rectangular form. with wide and spac
ious streets. which, however, owing T.
somc oversight of the city fathers were
never very well paved. a fault common
with sll towns that | have seen at the
South. Tie buildings are mostly com
posed Of brick. and there are some splen.
did private and public ediiices--lhe
most conspicuous Of which is tie cour'
house, seminary and Baptist church. An
appropriation of $4,000 dollars WAS
made by the Stale for the erection OF the
seminary buildings. besides a large
amount contributed by individuals The
main building is capable Of socommods
ting two hundred pupils. and is very
we'll furnished. Ten years ago Boon
Vile was the centre ofa fl"urishing trade
, rs goods destined for War saw, Quinc,
and Springfield, and the whole south