The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1870-07-14


legitimate one. We do not follow it for
glory, but like the rest of humanity we are
after money, and we trust by fair and
honorable business course we shall, some
dav, see the Si2oer lining of the cloud. Our
chief aim shall be to make the Journas a
first class local paper-a weekly mirror of
everything transpiring in Henry county"
OSKALOOsA FROM THE PEN OF A STRAN
GER-Mr. Edmunds in his correspondence
TO the Homestead says "Oskaloosa, the
county seat Of Mahaska county, is situated
three miles from the D. Y. r. r., 101 miles
from Keokuk, and 6l miles from Des
Moines 1t should be on the railroad, and
will be soon, we hope. The town was laid
out May -, 1874, by commissioners ap-
pointed for that purpose. 1t is situated on
beautiful rolling prairie on the divide be
tween the South Skunk and Des Moines
rivers, and is justly known as one of the
richest and most prosperous agricultural
districts of the State. From the beginning
the town and country have maintained a
steady and healthy growth. 1t isDoted for
the ind ustry and morality of its citizens,
and the general prosperity of those active
" engaged in business pursuits The pop
ulation of the city at present numbers be-
tween five anu six thousand. The county
has population of some twenty thousand,
and ranks as the tenth county in the State.
In some of its agricultural products, it leads
every other county and when considert
in the ratio of population, is, undoub teddy,
entitled to the banner"
From the reports of the State Geologist
we learn that this is one of the richest min
eral counties in the State-having its en-
tire surface underlaid with rich deposits OF
coal, building stone, &c. New farms are
being opened by the score. Factories and
mills are being established, and general
prosperity appears to be smiling upon all
branches of industry, as natural handmaids
of a still higher civilization.
To emigrants from the East we have q
word Of advice. Whilst we recommend
Iowa as the best agricultural State in the
Union-with broad and fertile prairies
ready to yield to the industrious toiler her
stores Of golden wealth and while they
could not miss good location within the
boundaries Of this State. yet we must say
that no place can be found with advantages
superior to those offered by the natural re
sources Of proud Mahaska." Those who
make their home within her borders will
call the day of their settlement the most
fortunate i'm the record of their lives
We should be pleased to notice the mos
some items from their large experience
but must defer this pleasant duty until We
Can visit larger number and thus perfec
our imperfect notes. We hope to visit the
approaching County fair-make the &C
quaintance of all the leading men and not.
especially the progress" of the county al
indicated by the success of the fairs thi.
year, over the one we attend three year!
ago.
We made the acquaintance of the Secre
tary of the County Agricultural Society
Mr.. Green, and found him to be athorougl
going business man-iully up to the times
in all that goes to make the Society sue
cess and the county prosperous"
The editor of the Homestead adds the fol
lowing on his own motion: "Our travel
ing correspondent has some good words tt
say about Mahaska county, in this paper
and of Oskaloosa, its county seat. and tn,
business thereof Notwithstanding tn,
latter does not enjoy close connection
with Iowa's railroads, her prosperity seeml
to keep pace with those who are favored
in that way, placing her reliance upon TIT
development of the splendid resource
within and around her, so that when
railroad does reach her, which is not tar il
the future, she will have that in addition t
her present facilities for making larg,
town. Those towns that depend upoI
railroads alone to give them importance
will find themselves in few years far II
the rear of those who are building up thei
home Interests to the full extent of thei
power, Her present manufactures ar,
only the eginning, we believe, of wha
Oskaloosa will have in few years with,
her limits. TO consume the products of he
industrious farmers. May abe go on ant
prosper to the full extent of hsr descrvings
is our hope and desire"