Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1869-12-10
NO. 49,
FRoM IoWA.


The following description Of thai
part of the Des MoiDes Valley lyiut
In Casey and Adair counties, Iowa, Il
from letter TO The Muscatine Jour
nal written by a young Delawarian whC
removed some months since TO Iowa
CASEY. Noy. s, 1869.
It Is surprising what the railroads
have done towards settling up the re-
gion of the State through which they
pass, On the broad prairies, which a
/ year ago contained not a sign of habi-
tation. can be found towns and vii
lagos full of hustle, crowded for room.
There is a peculiar sameness in the
appearance Of a majority of the rail-
road towns. The houses are white
frames and among them can always be
found the church and school house.
No stronger proof need be furnished
that Iowa will continue to lead radi-
cally right than to find such a display
of steeples and belfrys.
About the Des Moines Valley is a
magnificent country. The river is SO
crooked that it runs in every conceiv-
able direction, watering a vast field
and apparently tieing a knot 10 itself
every few miles. Upon its borders is
a heavey growth Of timber and take
il altogether there is not a finer look
ing region in the State. Iii is cheerful
and the settlers are wide-awake and
up to the times. There is still plenty
Of good vacant land. Persons not
accustomed TO travelling BIZ rail can
easily be deceived in this respect. Al
succession of corn6elds can only be
seen when travelling at railroad speed
Besides, except where there is timber,
the heaviest settlements are along the
railroad The old settlers followed
the State roads and settled near timber
lands. At Eatlham are large cattle
pens, which is an indication that stock
raising is quite a feature Of that SEQ
ton.
We arc charmed with the country
this side Of Des Moines. although
each of the several localities have
some special claim to make II town,
and some were more faTorably situ-
ated than others, yet all seemed pros
porous.
Adair county has a population of
1000 to 5000 and !polled at the last
election 685 votes. Fontanelle has a
population of 250. Greenfield seven
miles south numbers 100 inhabitants.
Fontapelle has a court house and
school house, but ne church building.
The railroad prospects of the place are
built on the Muscatine ana Council
Bluffs Railroad, which is staked out
about a mile south Of the place. Since
the Pacific road is completed, Casey
has become the trading point for Fon-
taneIle. Land is cheaper about the
county seat than near the railroad,
Mr.. KiIburn is land agent and is do
ing land Office business all round.
The business of the town and county
seems to be in good hands, and we
left the place impressed with the
kindest regards for the prosperity of
the citizens of the place. Returning
to Casey next day we had occasion, to
witness the practical workings of the
Northwestern fire extinguisher. Some
hay rieks on the premises OF Mr..
Christy. comprising about thirty tons,
we're set on FIRE by boys. The flames
spread over the stacks rapidly, which
within fifteen feet of a large stable.
The citizens worked iDdustriously TO
drown the ERE with water. apparently
to no purpose, when Mr.. Moody clerk
arrived with an eXtinguisher and sac
ceeded in subuiag the hames, beyond
danger to the surrounding buildings.
Coal is used for fuel and is worth
thirty cents a bushel, or 81 80 per ton.
Good stone, sand and gravel can be
procured in the vicinity of Casey,
along a branch of Middle river.
From $500 to $4,00 per. acre is de-
manded for breaking prairie. A good
speculation can be made on wild land
by purchasing, then break it and
throw It In the market again. Good
land can be procured az 50, 80 per acre
a short distance from the railroad.
Improved land is worth from $40 to
$50 per acre. Trade is somewhat di-
vided between the east and the west,
though the principal portion is retain
cd by the east. Some articles Of mer-
chaudise can be purchased at an ad
vantage in Council Bluffs. Like Mus
catine, Casey is governed by Chicago
time, nearly half an hour ahead of
true time.
Casey has its distinguished visitors
The white handed New Yorker the
keen Yisaged Cinciunatian, the slow
motioned Bostonian and the suspicious.
looking bOb-tailed Chieagoian can be
seen here almost every day, looking
out for chances. a
Large tracts of land In body have
been found in the past to be poor in
vestment, so that there need be no
fears entertained that spectators viii
ruin the country. Besides there is
plenty of room for all. Mechanics
who can serape together from one %
three thousand dollars could do we'll.
That amount would purchase and Inn
prove quite large farm, worth at once
three times the investment. u.