The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-02-21
FROM IOWA.

extracts from letter written by former
resident of this place, now living in Alton,
Union County, Iowa, to one of our most
prominent citizens, under date of Jan. 20,
1867:
''We have just been blessed with a glori-
our revival in the NJ E. Church in Alton.
which commenced in the Sabbath School,
and which has resulted in the conversion
OF over forty, and in accessiOns to our
Church of fifty-four, many of whom were
prominent as citizens and business men of
our town. There is not now, with but two
eNceptions,a merchant or doctor in town
who is non-professor of religion. Of
lawyers we have one of three. Nearly all
our leading mechanics are moral men,
and goodly number of them are united
with the three branches of Christ's Church
organized here. to-wit: Methodists, Pres
byterians and Baptists.
1.-The Methodists have a commodiouss
meeting-hOuse. which has been recently
tastefully papered, carpeted, and otherwise
fitted up. The house is surmounted by
belfry. in which there is very good toned
bell. The other denominations not having
yet erected meeting houses, occupy the
court room each Sabbath alternately. Our
population is decidedly church. going, and
will rank in point of talent and intelli-
gence-mOral and religiOUs-with that of
the most favored eastern village within my
knowledge. And I think it will be no de-
parture from truth to say that in all those
particulars, the population of the country
is superior to that of any portion of the
East where L am acquainted. would not
say this boastingly, but would relate it as
a matter of fact, worthy Of emulation by
oriental communities.
But what of the country and climate?
1t will be difficult to find more rolling
or better Watered country that in the vi
cinity of Alton. Indeed, as you approach
it from the east, it is, for six miles, almost
continued succession of hills and hOl
low, crossing, as the main thoroughfare
does. what are termed divides. the sum-
mits of which are nearly on level. On
these divides you may travel in the direc-
tiOn of which they extend long distances
without finding depression. They pre-
sent a most beautiful appearance when
clad in verdure and native flowers. But
at this season of the year they present to
the eye of the beholder the appearance of
a barren waste, with only here and there
a habitation or shelter for man, or bird or
beast. The timber is nearly all concealed
in the deep valleys of the streams, by which
1t Is, to some extent, protected from the
ravages ofdestructiye annual prairie fires.
These fires, in their season. are awfully
and indescribahly grand. Our beautiful
town was at one time almost literally be-
girt with fire, since came here and, night
after night, our prolonged Indian sum-
mers have presented US with horizons, far
exceeding i'll brilliant reflections the Au-
rOra BOrealis, reminding us of a passage
i'll Byron's dream of the last day, if my
memory serves me right, in which he al
ludes to the darkness, after the eXtinguish-
ment of the sun and other orbs, which was
relieved only by volcanic light.
Il am well pleased with the climate of
Iowa. 1t is much dryer than that of Ohio,
and in this part of the State, except very
few days in winter, is not perceptibly
colder. We have some days of very severe
weather, occasioned by the cold north and
northwest winds. which usually last from
one to three days. We have but little
good sleighing, as the winds pile up the
snow as it falls, leaving many spots bare
ct in timbered lands there fs s1eighino o
enough to serve for hauling saw-logs.
January 30.-I was interrupted in Wri-
ting yesterday by an invitation out to din
ner, which interruption was very pleas
ant one. rs we met goodly number of our
new friends there, including our excellent
pastor and lady. In the evening we at
tended the Mite Society of our Church.
where we had a friendly greeting and a
delightful social entertainment. Our col
lectlons on these occasions amout to about
two dollars. Refreshments are forbidden
by our rules at these meetings, which give
host and guest an equal opportunity for
enjoyment, and does not debar the poorer
members from participation in these social
entertainments.
1.-The grading of the Burlington and
Missouri Railroad is under contract to this
place. Our position on the line being
about eQuidistant from the Des MOine and
Missouri rivers. renders it highly proba-
bic that our station is to become import
ant as an eating place, as well as for the
location of repair shops. That circum-
of lots and lands in the vicinity of town
and rush of emigration in the spring
may make lively times for speculators.
"Flour is now retailed for $1I 20 pei
barrel; Corn 40 cents per bushel; Potatoes
81; Pork So per hundred; Butter and Eggs
20 cents: Dressed Prairie Chickens abun-
ant for 10 cents each.
"Saw mills pay well. Native lumber is
from So so to So per hundred feet, and the
mills charge 81 per hundred for saving
when logs are furnished by others. Good
timber is scarce. Wood is from $3 to s.
per cord, delivered in town. Coal has not
yet been discovered in our county. We
are on the highest ground in this part o.
the State, and if coal is ever found it must
be at a great depth below the surface
when our Railroad is completed we cal
OUIdin ~ IlOlll CiiC I'CS AilOlIlC ptop-
ably as cheaply as it can be obtained il
Upper Sandusky, from Wayne or Other
counties in Ohio
ave are pretty we'll supplied with me-
chanics for the present, except tailors. A
good workman would find plenty of work
here, l think, at a remunerating price. /
our town improves and the country settle:
up, as we think it must. brick-makers anC
masons will be needed. Clay and sanG
can be found near the town, but stone
must be hauled about six miles.
60 O. W.