The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1868-05-07

~ PAylhg quantities.. a Ihefe are
evidences of volcanic action in nearly
all parts Of the State. There are
evidently smouldering volcanoes
underlying portions of this country
now, as evidenced by the flowing to
the surface of boiling water, accom-
panied by steam, which escapes with
the water, with d sound like that
occasioncd BY steam, escaping from
steam pipes Of an engine. .,1al
There are boiling springs in this
vicinity, which have been a source of
wonder to travellers from every cline.
Several hundred feet Of boiling
water is forced up through deep
crevices in the rock from the frey
regions below. These are called
steamboat springs, from the noise
made BY the steam escaping with the
water. There are hot springs in
several other localities equal in extent
to the Steamboat springs. 1 III
Our mountains are divided into
distinct ranges by valleys or barren
flats, laying between and separating
them. The valley dividing these
from the ranges of mountains East,
is called the Great American Deserss,
or Grcat Basin, and viewed as a basin,
il is certainly a lcaky affair, as it is
tho reeepticle of four small rivers
flowing in the aggregate onc-third
more water than the Des Moines
river, which il contrives to leak out,
or sink, leaving one in the dark as to
where all this volume Of water goes.
1t is probably like Iowa roads, about
now, without any bottom.
In many of tho valleys lying
between the different ranges of
mountains are small streams, which
are generally called rivers, as every
thing is magnified in the far West.
These streams are mostly chock full
of speckled trout, which afford excel
lent sport for the angler I have
landed as many as 125 in two hours.
Beaver. otter and muskrats, &C., are
found on nearly all Of our streams.
We have nearly all kinds Of Ameri-
can game here, including deer, ante
lope, mountain sheep; also an occa-
sional grizzly bear. | have seen a
few specimens of bruin in his native
haunts, but never cultivated his
acquaintance; taking stock" in the
old adage, that Prudence is the
better part of valor." We have also
Sage Hen, Grouse and Jack Rabbits;
so-called from its size, being a much
nearer approach to the father of all
rabbits, than our common rabbits.
N 4
Tho Indians follow our example in
giving them this namc-an Indians
flvoritc boast being, .Me .heep
catchum Jassack Rabbit" And
while am on the subject of aLo,
the Poor Indian ! will say that the
specimens | have seen, (I have seen
somo) do not approach within very
long gun shot" of the articles in
that line described by Gustave
Armand, Ned Buntlin, and roman
cists of that kind. Nearly nine
years Of almost daily observation, of
his nature and habits, have entirely
dispelled my pre-conceived ideas Of
the Noble Savage" l have found
them invariably dirty, indolcnt beg
gars, covered with rags, filth and
vermin, without name to ears polite,
but highly carniverous. When left
to their own resources they live ON
all kinds Of animals, nuts, roots,
berries, and even insects. l have
seen as much as ten bushels Of dried
crickets at ono campooda. The
crickets are very large variety, and
are found in some parts Of the State,
in great numbers. However, they
take kindly to American grub, com
ing around the camp or cabin, at
mcal-time, and receiving whatever
is left for them, with a grunt OF
satisfaction. When hard pressed by
hunger they will propose to swap
buckskin or pelts for ediblcs," but
not when they can procure them
otherwise, and then they exact much
of tho staff of life for very little
buckskin or polt. / will close this
TRADE on the g Noble Red Man of the
Forest" (over thcleft,) by endorsing
A. Wards aud Davy Crockets opin.
ion, that "Inpns is pizen wherever
you find EN-"
l We have another class Of popula