Buchanan County bulletin and guardian. (Independence, Iowa) 1866-1869, 1867-10-25
INDEPEN DENCE.

We make the following extract from an
interesting letter, written TO the Dubuque
Times by c. J. Reed, Under date Of Oct.
l0;h.
Sixty>rine miles west Of Dubuque on the
line Of the Dubuque l. Sioux City Railroad
is located the city OF Independence, The
equity seat c. Buchanan county. 4 little
over two years ago she cas-; away her child
ish things, and emerging from the chrysais
ofviilagehooa, applied to the Legislature TOR
charter of incorporation, and in due lime
nas clothed with al! tie privileges, d;suiiles
and emol1men,s of e 5gst class city, now
containing, according to the official census,
population Of three thousand inhabitants
Situated upon The banks Of the Wspsipiuicon
river, and surrounded bv rich agricultural
colntry, The qualities of which are rapidly
being developed By az energetic class o. s. l.
tiers from the eastern and middle States
the growth Of lude penienee has been of "a
rapid and more substantial character thar
the generality Of western cities. But a few
years ago village lots in the vicinity of the
depot aud many streets, which had only al
imaginary existence On paper, were covered
rural garden pla,s occupy their place, and
hold and readily bring high prices. Tie city
proper is situated nearly hail mile south Of
the depot aud cannot he seen TO much ad-
vantage from the cars, but Of late wears the
growth has rendered towards the railroad
tract and at time no, far distant i: is prob.
able iha: the business portion OF the city, so
far rs the handling Of freight and produce is
concerned, will be in that direction.
Independence. however, like her sister
cities of greater or lesser note, has Io, es.
capped he effects OF hard times an The me.
met.oes osover confidence and baa@. 4 sypec-
tations are 10 be seen in many store room
and besiaess block, unoceupied and deserted
b. all save the rats, o, the head Of Main
street. But OF late business has imprcved
wonderfully and merchants and the public
generally are beginning to regain their wont,
cheeriulness and look forward TO that pros
porous period wien the days Of very hard
cash will return again.
MASuFAcTcaEs.
One thing which has tended 10 impede the
growth OF independence has been the alb
sencc Of nanniactu. rs and capitalists. Drv
goods, grocery stores, and whisky saloons
have fouTshed in abundance, there b.i3Ig
more retail establishments OF the former
character here than III Dubuque, bu, these
DO no, tend 10 build up a city, and ms u con.
sequence, when the trade from tie surround.
Ing country grew d.ll and the farmers fel,
the stringency of hard t.r.es, the city laa.
guished. he farming Community dernanGs,
and will support heavy manufacturing ia
terest, and appre eciating this Fact, a company
has been formed OF many of the oldest and
~aai.hiest citizens OF Independence and
country ander the name ufihe Ind. pet.dvnce
Mills Company. who propose to errc, eu Tie
west side Of the river, n large wooden factory
iext summer. The capital stock is $T5 5.06u.
a large amount Of which is paid in, aud work
upon the foundation has commenced. There
is no doubt but what the enterprise will prove
n complete success and ten largely to the
growth and future revenue OF Ills young and
prosperous city.
SHIPMENTS OF GRAIN AND rgoprcE.
Independence has always been very I'M
por.Gn' shipping point, and the amount of
business IN this direction may be Inferred
from the following figures, kindly furnished
your core pendent by tie station agent, Mr.
c. n. Durham:
The following is the amoun, Of shipments
from TIL. station during the month OF Sep
temher.
Wheat No. bushels. 4a,r36
Ca,t.s s cars y
Bn..er .. pounds li.25o
Wool !" do 1872
Sundriss do l57.i62
Amount received, same
time. in pounds l,s0S,Tss
The farmers are now rushing the whea. ia
with perfect looseness, and il is estimated
by the competent station agen, C. Nj. Dur.
ham, that $4,000 bushels Of wheat will be
shipp. d during the month of October.
While The financial and commercial status
of Independence presents such encouraging
features, the moral, intellectual and social
co: ditions Of the ei,izcns Is BY no means left
uncured .or. The city at the present time
boasts olsix churches comprising the Me.bo.
dist, Baptist, Presbyterian, Episeopalians,
Datch, Reformed aud Catholic, the later
being quite nm imposing edihce dedicated
two years ago, but still unfinished. The
Me,hodists are intending to build a fine large
church, a short distance from their old one, !.
next year. In addition to them are quite a
number Of temperance, literary and secret
societies, representing the Gond Templara,
Iudersnacrcs I.yccam, Mssans, 0di T.l>