Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-06-19
IErTER FROM IOWA.
RED OAK JUNCTION, MONTGOMERY Co.,
Iowa, June 9Th, 1868.

RED OAK JUNCTION, MONTGOMERY Co., I
Iowa, June 9Th, 1868. &
Ma. C. II. BISoHAM, Sir; After a
very pleasant "trip down the Ohio aud up
the Mississippi river to st. Louis, aud
long and wearisome voyage up the most
shaggy, muddy, crooked, shosly and
dangerous of rivers, the Missouri, we all
arrived safely at our destination one month
since and it may interest some Of your
many readers to hear from this portion Of
the distant West. Our County town Is
located in the midst OF one of the most
beautiful, rich, rolling prairie countries
that the eye ever looked upon, being 50
miles FROM Plattsmonth on the Missouri
aud at the mouth OF Big Platte, aud 81
miles from Council Bluffs on the North
West. 1t Is situated on the proposed line
OF the Burlington aud Missouri River X.
X. Starting from Burlington on the
Mississippi TO Council Bluffs on the Mis-
souri,, and passing as it does through such
u vast extent Of country, great portion
of which is get unsettled, great Induce
ments will undoubtedly be offered to actual
settlers when these lands come into
market.
But heretofore great curse to this part
of Iowa has been the holding of thousands
Of acres OF the must desirable lands by
spectators which are held ut such rates
that poor men seek lands in Missouri and
Nebraska, where tue are not 50 dear, rather
than purchase at tie rates demanded. But
the time is not far distant When all lands
granted to the b. a. NJ X. Il. will be
broug BIZ into market aud sold on such
terms us cannot fail to meet the views Of
settlers. These lands contain broad acres
amply sufficient to furnish homes to all
who are desrous OF emigratiDg from Ohio
aud indiana ut least. The land is all
black, rich, rolling prairie, on which crops
rarely ever fail. Spring wheat is must
profitable. Corn Is produced in great
quantities. Potatoes, ouions and all
garden vegetables are produced in great
abundance.
But Notwithstanding the innumerable
good qualities aud blessings enjoyed IN our
new aud growing State, curse is at pres
cut in our midst which threatens the en-
tire destruction Ut crops OF ever kiLd 10
Western, South Western aud Central
Iowa, viz: Grasshoppers. The greater part
OF all crops in this part Ut the State have
already been devoured by these most de-
structlye Of insects, aud still their rava-
ges continue. They seem TO have relieved
from duty all other species of insect YER
min, aud are doing the duty of aeas, bed
bugs, mosquitoes, army worms. potatoe
bugs, &c., &c. They eat our corn, wheat,
potatoes and garden products; they get in
to our pants, into our boots, into our
yictuals, aud in all possible ways endeavor
TO render themselves us disagieeable 10
mankind their diminutiveness will ad-
init OF. But We feel confident that the
railroad will be built, and that grasshop-
pers will leave, aud that all in the next lew
months. Then will fresh impetus be
given to trade aud all kinds OF improve
ments ia town aud country, aud then will
our place take its rank among the FIRST
towns in South Western Iowa, aud our
lands furnish homes TO the many thousands
who are now wearing out their lives for q
mere pittance Ia the work shops of the
East. More anon. j. X. COOLEY.