The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1872-08-29

conical iron ball, about ten inches long
and four in diameter. This drawn through
the ground by windlass power, leaves a
ditch four feet under ground, which re.
ceives and carries off ali the waste water.
At the outlet hole is sunk to the ditch,
and is kept constantly filled, affording good
stock water at all times. The price Of this
work is twelve and half cents per rod.
Thousands of acres of land in Mahaska
county to-day lie waiting for the mole.
ditch TO make an escapeway for the water
that prevents their use. The time is COM
ing when these sloughs will be our most
productive land, and ditching is the means
to bring this about.
North Skunk River winds its insignifi-
cant way through this as through other
townships in the county, and like the for
tunes of individuals is sometimes high and
sometimes low. When saw it I thought
there was some presumption in calling it a
river, but suppose it was done from the
same motive that twenty years ago called
Oskaloosa city-upon the supposition
that it would fill up. On the north side Of
this stream is seen some very rough coun-
try. White Oak ridges predominant, and
the soil is ''too thin" There is strong re-
semblance In this section to some Of the
country seen in the poorer parts of Ten
nessee, and some of the people would make
the likeness still more stri king. From
h.Nra ~ h. IL
N.Y." whose deeds of valor are still remem-
bered Near and along the Montezuma
road ere seen some very good farms, with
different class of people, of whom men
ton Mr.. }. d. Ogborn, Paul Caster, John
Widows, Jas. Chew, - Brooks, and sew
eral others, who are good citizens, indus
trious workers and worthy people.
COAL.
This township is especially favored with
coal. In its north part are four banks, that
are well mined and do a good business.
The coal is not as good as that of Oska-
loosa. but answers for all purposes of heat
ing. The veins here are four and half
feet thick. The country as far north as
Grinnell draw upon these mines for fuel.
UNION MILLS or MIDDLRTowN.
This is-well, they call it town, but 1t
don't quite fill the bill It's stores are kept
by A, r. Reed, also p. NJ, and VIM. Wei.
lington, each of whom keep small line of
almost everything. Not long ago Andrew
Kagy began q mill on the river at this
point, carried it almost to completion, and
died. To-day the mill stands as he left it
and is for sale on what are said to be un-
high, and apparently good building. AS
for the site it is good, and large tract of
country surrounding would patronize it.
For the geological specimen hunter, or enc
who loves to speculate on the long, long
ago, Union Mills is good field Here are
found rock containing crystal formations,
iron pyrites, isinglass, &C., also strong ev-
idence of the "internal fires" so much
talked by those learned in those things.
MIR. j. L. Ogborn, who is now opening a
stone quarry, showed me unmistskable
specimens of iron ore, pronounced by ex-
perts to be very rich. l was also told of
the existence of large bed of ore about
mile down the river. OF iron in Iowa, our
State Geologist in his report says
Iron is one of the most universally distribute
OF all metals, and being, particularly in the form
OF oxides, one OF the most conspicuous, IL usually
attracts more attention than any other metallic
su6s,anee from those unacquainted with the gen
coal measures ahaIes and sandstones of Iowa fre o
queDt nodules and masses OF sulpheret of iron,
(iron pyrites) and also hematite (oxyd OF from
are found, but always in email quantities, and
practically valueless as ores the former &C.
count of the sulphur it contains and the latter in
consequence OF the email quantities in which it
occurs
The stone of this region is of superior
quality, and has a sale extending twenty
five miles northward, in which region
there is no stone of value.
L. Huffmire, a man of considerable talk
ing ability, and clever person TOO. sup
plies the people with brick, and represents
Justice in the township.
CHURCHES.
The Disciples at Union Mills, and the
Methodists of the TIP, each have good
buildings. The former 24x34, the latter
(Fairview) in the south part of the Tp.,
26x40, a neat and tasty building
SCHOOLS.
The eight districts are supplied with
school houses, all of which are almost
new, except two, which were built at an
earlier period. No Independent district.
GOOD COUNTRY
That part of the Up, south of the river,
cannot be cxcelled rs farming section.
The land is very rich and easily titled, face
of country rolling with sufficient drainage,
and not rough. Water abundant. 1t is
now, comparatively speaking, in its infancy
and ten years from now will show change
that the most sanguinc would hardly dare
predict.
On either side of Union Mills are found
good blacksmiths, Mr.. F. M. Watson on
the south aud Mr.. Ogborn on the north,
who do the work usual with the sons of
Vulcan. The most imposing farm and
surroundings is owned by Jno. Mechanics,
who is a thorough farmer and fine gentle
man. On the same road lives Dr. Fry, who
does the necessary in the medical way.
had not the pleasure of meeting him, but
from the way his neighbors spoke of him,
I know he is highly esteemed by them.
West of Mechanics is the farm of w. M.
Evans, consisting of nearly 400 acres in a
fine state OF cultivation. A splenfid new
house is being erected by that indefatiga-
bic worker. which shows that VIM. intends
living at home hereafter.
Just east of Evans is another fine new
dwelling on the farm of Peter Pfoutz,
credit TO the township.
North of the river, about one mile from
Union Mills, is the Jno. Milllkin estate,
consisting of 1913 acres, which would make
splendid dairy farm.
AS sample of the growing power ofour
Iowa soil l mention the case of q maple
tree at Mr.. Jno. Widows, which at the age
oftwenty years, had attained a growth of
% inches in diameter. An estimate placed
it capable of making $50 feet of lumber of
one cut, while the tops would give not less
than one and half cords of wood.
Lest tire the readers patience I close,
by saying "the half is not told" 90 and see
for you rself. On the second Wednesday in
September will be held grand Union Sun
day School pic mic in the Tp.. at which
time will be an excellent opportunity to
view this township. G.. r. L.
CoNTINUED,-The Fair has been cOntin-