Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1870-05-06
DOttings by the Way.
Correspondence Of The Kco,cee Courier.
OMAHA, NEBRASKA,
On Board Union Pacific Il. r.,
2 O'clock NJ, April 10. 1870

OH DOarQ union H0Cl1lC IL. H., y
2 O'clock NJ, April 10, 1870.
DEAR CoUn1ER: We are on our way to
tho "unfenocd country" Did not stop over
at Dcsmoincs, the Capital of Iowa, (tho
Hawkcyc State,) as We contemplated. Passed
through that place at o'clock A. m, this
morning, and we arc much hurried cannot
bring up our notes fully-will note few of
the most interesting We left Chicago ut 10
o'clock a. m., yesterday, and arrived here at
10 a M, to-day-404 miles. Passing through
the "Suckcr State" Qllinois) somo two hun.
dred miles, wo saw much of her fine prairie
lands Near, and in the region of Chicago,
arc many beautiful suburban villas Near
Nloncka and Red Mill, the land is fine and
rich, generally prairie, but some wood, such
as small red oak, white oak, hickory, &c.-
At Joliet, tho Michigan City, Indiana, (the
Hoosicr State,) Railroad connects. Near by
this arc some clear pcbbly streams, with the
crab.apple and "forget. t.mc.nots" blooming on
their banks; and along side runs the Rock
River, with canal from Chicago to la Sale,
and a fine quarry of flag stone is found and
much used for pavemcnts. These lands rate
at from fifty to sixty dollars an aore-thickly
settled and pleasant section to pass through.
We pass many other small towns on the rail.
road, the Chicago and Rock Island-such as
Seneca, Marscilcs and Ottowa, to La Sale, a
large town. Here tho Illinois Central cross
es tho Illinois river on bridge of half a mile
long, coal mining region, and rich in her
land, both along the river and out for many
miles. Wo were shown by Mrs. r., of La
Sale, tho celebrated Starve Rock. Tt is a
very high rock, on tho bank of the Illinois
river, with considerable table or level plain
on its top, and with but ono entrance to it,
and on it the Mohawk tribe of Indians got
the tribe of Pottowattomies, aud kept them on
said rock until they starved them out, hence
the name. Along here you have the buck
eye now, leaving the sugar maple, oak, hick.
'ory and gum.
We took dinner at Bureau, suppose it was
a general "freedmcns bureau" for anything
except dinner for that rs cents. At this
place is tho Peoria junction railroad. We
passed many stations and towns of more or
less note, such as Minook, Tiskeliva, Geneseo,
60, and arrived at Rock Island city at 6
o'clock p. M. Rock Island is large place
on the Mississippi River. The river was
very high, reaching to tho top of it's levees.
We crossed on a bridge l / miles long, tho
bridge spans across the island. Just on the
bank, on the west side, wo oame into Daven.
port city, Iowa, place of much note; took
our supper at p. M, night, then set in, and
we saw but little to Iowa city, the original
capital of the State, about fifty miles. To.
wards midnight the stars were out, and the
moon shone brightly and VIC had pretty fair
view of the country to Stewart, that we reach.
cd Mt daylight. The county the whole way
fromsDavenport to Council Bluffs is rolling,
black prario land, but thinly inhabited, but
as this road has not becn in operation but
ittlo over ono year, the country is filling
rapidly. The towns along tho route to-day
arc small, and all now, except tho Atlantic
It is considerable place: and tho prettiest
view along the route. It is on small stream,
Musquito creek, and the view is on ocean,
the rolling prairie, when tho sun arose this
morning, was that Of a sunrise view on our
ocean, the waving prairie representing the
| waves of the ocean. But little timber in
sight tho houses, in the distance, throughout
the route, were beautiful in their solemn
grandeur. Arrived at Council Bluffs at
| 10 q. m.
On Iowa side of tho River, on which is
Council Bluffs. The place derived ita name
about tho time that Lewis and Clark, in the
year 1903, started on their Western expedi-
tion, q "councilP was held here with the Pot
-towattomie Indians, honco the name. Though
an old place, has NOT builtup til! the copplo.
tion, O little over a year ago, Of >the great
Union Pacific Railtoad. The scenery around
Ii tho grandest iwe have ever seen. The
oity, above and Below, is very interesting,
aud HAS 5000 or 20, 600 inhabitants. Hass
three Railroads.&c.. Joo and Hannibal, Chi.
II akov. ~, /,