Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-07-29
CLEAR LAKE. IOWA.
A WnterInS.PIacs Worthy the Attention
of Southern PeOpIs-Ets Advantages
oTLOcatiOn and suTT0UHdisss.


From an Occasional Correspondents
CLEAR LAKE, Iowa, July l9.-FrOm
OskaloOsa we came on up the Central
railroad of Iowa. The country all along
through central Iowa is very rich and
beautiful. The broad prairies stretch out
on every side, with here and there lit
tie grove OF trees, frequently nothing
more than saplings six inches in diane
ter or LEES. The prairies are not so level
as in northern Missouri, nor so rolling as
in Minnesota, and are mostly in culu-
walton, though you sometimes ride for
mile or two over an unbrOken prairie.
The wild lands st remote distances from
railroads cannot be bought for less than
five to ten dollars per acre, The scenery
up here at this season OF the year ls
charming-all nature being clothed III
living green. The unbrOken prairies are
covered with cattle; the fields Of corn
are rank and fine, and waist high, dotted
over with tWO-hOrse teams, each astrlde
a row, and blowing it thoroughly; the
fields of spring wheat, just in milk, and
waving in the prairie breeze on the I'M
dulating plains; the small and neat
farm-houses, hid away among
the trees they have planted;
the substantial brick buildings and nU-
merous church spires Of their villages
and towns-these are some of the scenes
that lend an air of peace, plenty and
prosperity to central Iowa. Mason City
is at the northern extremity Of the Cen
trail road, over which we came. One OF
the most beautiful buildings in it is the
public schoolhouse, built nearly in the
shape of a cross, sixty-fOur by seventy
two feet in length and width, and of
beautiful stone, three stories high above
the basement, and surmOunted by a
dome reaching far above the spires of
the churches. From this city, which is
within some thirty miles OF the north
ern line Of Iowa, we took train and
came west ten miles to Clear Lake, the
chief summer resort Of the State. AS
the train rolled up to the station, band
OF. music was playing on the platform.
4 new bus, built in the place, was at
once crowded with passengers. We
were driven through the neat little town
Of Clear Lake, and down to the lake
shore, and back to the Lake house, which
is the principal hotel Of the place, and
where we found every comfort and lux
Ury Of life-beautiful piano in the par
Tor and costly bible upon the center-ta-
BILE. Putting up there, took passage on
the little steamer for trip upon the
water. The lake is some seven miles
long and three wide. 1t is rather cres-
cent-shaped, and the water is light
green, and perfectlypure and fresh. There
are plenty OF ssiI-boats at the land
ing,hand you can go where you please
you can wander around the beach and
gather shells and pebbles, or you can
take your hook and line and fish in the
clear waters Of the lake, or you can en-
gage in crOquet if you desire, or you can
walk through the shady pleasure
grounds in front Of the Lake house, or
you can attend religious worship at the
Methodist, Baptist, Congregational or
Advent churches. The Central railroad
Of Iowa is selling excursion tickets to
this place, and it promises to increase
in interest as q summer resort as 1t Is
more widely known. The Central rail-
road of Iowa is in the hands OF re-
ceiver, and it is understood that settle
ment has been arrived at between the
first and second-mOTtgsge bOndholders,
by which the first are to take the earn
ings OF the road in lieu Of the interest
on their bonds from 1876 to 1881. The
road is in good order now, and is the
great route Of travel between st. Louis
and st. Paul. PAUL BAGLEY.