The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1869-06-24
SPRINGvALE, HUMBoLr Co, Iowa,

ny IIlaiIy tHaU pAoWa ~ luc S0iueh ~
the West" This il an assertion truth
fully made, u every one will testify whs
has travelled to any extent through thu
Western States. The large emigration
and rapid development of Iowa is per
,baps, a, better and stronger evidence OF
the above fact than any other. 1t /.
only necessary to make tour through
the State to convince one Of the truth
of the assertion; and to settle the ques'
ton in my own mind, started from
Upton in company with some friends
Oh Monday, June 14th, and since that
time have been travelling through many
of the western counties, and now pro
pose to give those citizens of Cedar
county who are interested in Western
Iowa, the benefit Of my observations
The route selected was over the n. w.
Railroad to Cedar Rapids, thence over
the ID. S. w. Railroad to Farley, aud
thence 10y rail again, to TT. Dodge. The
road last referred to Is owned by the
Dubuque aud Sioux City Railroad Co.,
but that portion of the road between
Dubuque and Iowa Falls have been
leased for term of years to the III. Cen
trail Railroad Co. Along this road there
is much fine country, and several beau
tiful and enterprising towns, the largest
of which is Cedar Falls, numbering
about 1850 inhabitants. A large por-
ton of the land along this road is unim-
proved, yet in every direction new
houses are being erected, farms nclosed,
aud other Indications of improvement
are seen. These lands are we'll designed
for agricultural purposes, the soil being
rich, well drained, and much Of the
character Of the prairie soil Of Cedar
county. Timber Of sufficient quantity
for fencing and fuel is found along the
numerous creeks and rivers over which
the road crosses. I endeavOred to as
certain the price at which these lands
are held; but this depends altogether
upon the location. Those near the large
towns are valued at from So to $50 per
acre. Other lands that are situated
three and four miles from the Railroad
are valued from IS to Sl2 per acre.
refer to those lands that are unimproved.
Improved LANDS are valued at about the
same proportion over unimproved lands
as they are in Cedar and adjoining
Iowa Falls is u beautiful
town, located on the west bank Of Iowa
River, in Hardin county. The scenery
about Iowa Falls is certainly romantic.
A beautiful town nicely arranged, built
IN u handsome grove OH the bank ola
clear and rapid stream, make up all the
essential requisites to romantic scene.
This at all events seemed to be the
opinion Of all the visitors who made Oh
'ervation of the town and its surround |
ngs, during my brief stay in the place.
The railroad from Iowa talls to Fort
Dodge is completed aud in running or
Ter, under the management of the Du- !
,uque 4 Sioux City Railroad Co. Reg
liar passenger trains have not yet been
cut on. The train upon which we rode,
going west, WAS composed of perhaps Il
iozen box cars, several coal cars, acl-
'oose and one passenger car, making
What is termed "miXed train" The
passenger car was crowded with Bohe-
mans, all going to Western Iowa to
improve farms. These people are said
o be industrious and energetic and are
warmly welcomed by the inhabitants
# the western counties Indeed, OBJ
erved that the Americans generally
reated them with great respect, and
IGNORED them by the unmolested priv
eye of the car, prefering to ride in the
ahoose, and many of them TO stand up
nd ride in box car than to infringe
a the least upon the right claimed by
ne Bohemians to the passenger coach.
his generosity may have been prompt
Il by weakness of human nature.
Between Iowa Falls and Fort Dodge
re several station houses, but no towns
Importance except "Webster City"
his town, properly speaking, is mar
Ell OF beauty and is destined to become
he of the finest places along this por-
ON of the road. I did not learn the
iact number of inhabitants, but think
bout 200. The town is located on a
gh prairie, in Webster county, nine
lies east of Fort Dodge The business
Buses are large, built of brick, and look
though they were designed for the
ture AS we'll AS present. This is one
feature about these new
estern towns. Instead of temporary
anne buildings, they are principally of
rick and stone, and of sufficient capa-
ty for all ordinary purposes. The pri- |
Alto residences arc generally neat, and !
with tasteful.y arranged
rounds; aud although | very mucI, dis
he to say it, in this respect they excel
lose Of the inland towns in the eastern
art Of the State. And what is more
is the fact that three years
go many of these towns were not in
XiStcncc.
There are yet thousands Of acres Of UNI
nt!vated prairie land lying all along
he line OF ,hc railroad between the
olhts last mentioned, Notwithstanding
he westward trains are crowded with
'"ople niuc,tenths of whom are going