Connecticut western news., 1874-05-22
Through the West.
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 From Cedar Rapids we proceeded to Waterloo, distance of ffty-six miles. Waterloo is the county seat of Black Hawk county, and Is situated on both sides of Cedar river; it has population of five thousand inhabitants two newspapers ; two banks, churches, schools, &c. The river, which is some three hundred feet wide,is spanned by very fine truss bridge, thus connecting beth the old and new towns. The river at this point forms a splendid water power which is improved by Touring, woolen, saw and other mills. The country around is very fine. and as choice farms as any man needs to own can be found in this county. The town has several hotels, one of the best being the Swift House. We mentioned in former letter that wind mills were used to supply stock with water, (where there was none on the farms, but we omitted to tell the whole as we find on farther investigation that these wind mills are not only used for pumping water, but are used for shelling corn, grinding feed, churning, &c.; for in stance ten foot mill will pump water for three hundred head of stock, and mills fourteen feet and upward will shell corn and grind feed for all the stock on the farm. and in many instances do custom work.
 Our next stopping place was Waverly, eighteen miles north of Waterloo, on 8 branch of the Illinois Central railroad. It is the county seat of Bremen county; pop ulation, twenty-five hundred. It is built on both sides of the Cedar river, which at this point is about one third as large as at Wa terloo. It is also spanned by truss bridge; has five churches, two newspapers, two banks, one woolen mill, several furniture manufactures, Touring mills and several hotels, the best of which is the Brewer House, kept by Mir. James Riley. It has nice large, airy rooms good clean beds; sets fine table, and makes person feel at home at once. He makes an affable and gentlemanly landlord and tries to please all who call upon him Should any of the readers of TIE NRws pass this way, don't fail to stop at the Bremen House. The town is located in sort of valley, yet it is thirty feet above the bed of the river, and at both east and west of the town there is gradual rise of the land, which at dis tance from the river of halRa mlle com mands view of not less than eight miles in all directions. It would do your Con necticut farmers good to stand on these hills and look at the surrounding country. The rich black soil. the timber in the dls- tance, the neat farm houses, the young fruit orchards. the beautiful meadow land, the contented and happyIfaces of the farm CTS as they come and go from town with their wagons loaded with farm machinery, all combine to make a New Englander feel that the West is the place for farming.
 Last week there was exhibited at this l place horse with a snake in hls eye, and | am told by reliable persons who saw it, that 1t is really wonderful. It is a white snake about three inches long and occupies the centre front of the eye, seeming to live in fluid between the membranes. Those who saw it say it is the liveliest snake they eyer beheld wriggle in so small place. It resembles hair snake, but how or when 1t got there is puzzle to the human race, and what is still more wonderful is that the sight of the eye does not seem to be i'm paired.
 The weather is very warm, the mercury in the shade on yesterday, the sth inst, running up to ninety degrees. Probably one-eighth of the corn in this country is planted, and farmers are hurrying to get in the balance. In my next 1 shall speak of an old friend and acquaintance whom I met yesterday, and who was a resident of eighteen years ago. -
 Respectfully yours,
 R. B. M1ToHELL.
 Charles City, Iowa, May 9th, 1874.
 ITO be continued.I