The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1872-08-08
found to be, five years hence, that of Mr.

FENCES.
was particularly impressed with the
utter disregard of fences shown by the
farmers of the southeast. corner of the TIP.
there saw four sections ofland, $500 acres
all under one outside fence, and that q
mere farce-virtually no fence at all. Why
it is thus cannot conceive, cattle often
break in and do damage. / apprehend
that change will come over the spirit of
their dream ere long, and series of fences
will be built that will bid defiance to
roaming bovines. should state that about
one half of this large tract Is in Keokuk
county.
.f9 STREAMS.
The township is well supplied with
streams, having the North Skunk, which
cuts off the south west corner, English riv-
er, the northeast corner, and Moon creek,
Pleasant Run creek, and Cedar creek,
which with their tributaries furnish abun-
dance of drainage and water.
BEAUTIFUL.
Lovers of the beautiful and picturesque
in nature, could derive much pleasure
from view of the country in the corner
of the county. Standing upon high knoll
in Mahaska, and looking around over
Poweshiek county, one sees the English
river flowing at his feet, and can trace its
windings through the valley for several
miles to the northwest. From its valley
the country slopes gradually up, and for a
long distance may be seen spread out as a
picture, in grand panoramic view, well
kept farms and tracts of open rolling prai-
rie alternating, and giving pleasing variety
to the scene. The river here is without
timber, and thus gives full scope to the
vision. ".9 -a .a.. ....s...
.. AGRIcoLA,
is called town, and doubtless deserves
the name, but cannot see the motive that
prompted its originator to locate it. At con-
tains twenty houses, one tavern, two
churches, two stores, a blacksmith shop,
and adoctor. Its business is not extensive,
yet it has range of country extending
over into Poweshiek county, from which
1t is but three-fourths of mile-that
draws largely upon it for supplies. Mood
Bro.,-J. C W. T. keep the prin-
cipal store, apd do very respectable bust
ness. TRt Morris is, the landlord of the
Union Hodse, and Keeps small stock of
general merchandise The Christian and
Baptist denominations each have good
houses of worship. The former is new,
and unfinished Is 30x45, and to cost when
completed, $1,000. The Baptist house is
older, but looks well, is 29x39. They have
a membership of about 129. The Christian
about 100 ministered to by Rev. Mrs.
Harriet Coates, who it is said is an excel
lent speaker. A school house (dis)graces
one end of the town. The political ele-
ment is all right, there being large ma
jority of Grant men, including the P. NJ,
of course. Greeley has one representative
in the place. According to AgricOla fgur-
ing, the township will go largely Republi-
can this fall
believe that there is no place in the
county so admirably adapted to this sport
as is this township. Its immense tracts of
open prairie form excellent cover for them,
and the farms with their fields of wheat,
oats and corn, furnish an abundance of
feed. But while hunting chickens be care
full that the rattlesnakes do not hunt you
1t is.said there are great many of them,
one man declaring that he had killed a
wagon bed full within a few years. He
forgot that
"a chiefs amang ye takin' notes,
And faith he'll prent en-
or he might have been more careful of
the rattlesnake reputation of his township.
myself had little experience with one
of them. had stopped to pick a few
blackberries that looked very tempting
from the road, and was leisurely eating
when heard the ominous rattle. How /
started and looking just at my feet, saw it
lying there-very beautiful to look at, but
death to the touch. Strange how little
things will sometimes force conviction up
on our minds. l recollected right away
that blackberries never did agree with me.
G. r. L.
WILEY WRAY left with US a specimen of
brick made by a new machine at Keokuk,
called the pounding process. Three sides
of the brick are smooth as marble.