The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-04-07
Letter from IO.C0.
BROOKLYN. Iowa. NJ;

DhoOAL1N. INV A, MdICII. 10. Oo.
DEAR CALEDONIAN: A welcome visitor
you come to ME this evening, and after
reading here and there items of interest
from the far-away Green Mountain State,
take my pen to acknowledge the favor,
hoping | may interest some of your readers
with brief sketch of our fair prairie land.
The township of Bear Creek (where l
reside) boasts it towns Brooklyn. although
not quite city, is a tlourishing western vii
lage, situated midway between Big and
Little Bear Creeks, upon the line of the
Miss. q Mo. r. r., twenty miles west of
Marengo and sixty west OF Iowa City. 1t
has steam saw and grist mill, 1--WE have
not the water mill-powers New England is
famous tOr,) two hotels, four stores and
several lesser mercantile establishments,
commonly called groceries, drug and paint
shops, &C., &c, and last, but not least. a
church, where alternate Sabbaths. Pres
byterian and Methodist Rev. officiates. and
school house, which has the past term ac-
cOmmOdated nearly one hundred scholars.
The railroad station is situated south of the
town, and enterprising people are forming
there business section which will soon
equal. if not excel. its northern neighbor.
There has doubtless been more Grain un-
loaded at its warehouse, than several cOun-
ties III Vermont ever raised, for Iowa ranks
chiefly as an agricultural state.
The public schools of Iowa receive a
large share of attention, education being
considered the cornerstone of true great.
ness, both socially and politically. Its
teachers, principally ladies, receive from
twenty to thirty dollars per month. The
Teachers Institute" formed by an associ
alton for the advancement of both teacher
and scholar. holds its session for nearly q
week each year, and all intending to teach
the ensuing year. are required to attend
their expenses tor board, &C., being paid
by the county.
Iowa has, as the entire nation must be
aware, nObly responded to its country
Call, until scarcely loyal able-bodied man
remains at home, and her veteran troops
may well be named with those from Yer.
mont. who have won a nations love ant
honor by bravery unsurpassed in histOry's
annals.
We have had little excitement in regarC
to expected raids from the south (n0t the
nOrth). The rebel raider, Price, having
once entered the state intending to take Os
kalOOsa, thence north through Montezums
and Grinnell to Dubuque, on the Mississp
pi, his course was somewhat turned by tht
prompt interference of Union troops.
The climate of Iowa, as is New England
is variable, but warmer; the APO of latitud,
forming as it does the southern boundary o
New York and Massachusetts,. divides low;
in nearly equal sections. and POweshicl
county is nearly fifty miles south of latitude
fOrty-twO. The storms have been unusually
severe and frequent this winter, so say th'
long residents, but very pleasant most 0
|
think those who have been out of the pro
lection of their New England hills and for
ests would wish. themselves anywhere, ,rathe
than on a western prairie during winter
northwestern wind. The greatest dept
of snow at one time has been but thre
inches on a level here, and remained OF
the ground only two days. With tn
, exception of the aforesaid storms, tn
, winter has been more like October and Ma,
than the usual cold, stormy weather w
n were accustomed to expect IN Vermont from
4 the middle of November to the last of April
f "A large quantity of corn was gathered ii
+ January. the farmers needing no extr
: clothing, andthe weather allowing us to Sc
e onthe porch or in the open door. Wha
. think you Of that, my friends?
f The prairies in this section are not as TIL
@ term implies. level. but present rolling
!. seemin ely hilly aspect. and we often thin
+ in the distance we are approaching a hig]
G hill. but when reached we scarcely motto
e the ascent so gradual has been the rise
If The prairie fires. those extensive conflagra
l. tons Which have ever been the theme G
y thrilling letters from those who have see
r. them in all their vastness and terrible gran
:. deur, are somewhat thrown into the back
U ground by increasing cultivation in thi
i section; yet not enough so but many of ou
II long winter nights have been one season {
&c illumination-the circle forming our hor
zOn one line of flashing flame except her