The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-06-19
Letter from Iowa.
oore.pondence Of the Democratic Advocate.


CouxcIL BLurFs, Iowa, June IL, 1875.
Messrs. Editors Of The Adrocate Pre-
suming few inklings from this great railroad
/ centre might be Of interest to some of the
many readers OF your very valuable and edi.
! flying journal, viii, in my usual haphazard
1 style, attempt to write briefly of some OF the
beauties, improvements, the weather and the
many advantages, ETC., this city is blessed
with. This city never looked more beautiful
than at present, the recent heavy rains hav.
ing thoroughly eleansed the streets and fully
developed the shrubbery aud shade trees in
general, Of which there is an abundance, the
citizens sparing no pains or expense in beau
tifying and orna:aenling the streets with the
choicest variety of shade trees, and greatly
enjoy the comforts Of shady walk to and
from business. During the summer months
the streets are sprinkled regularly three times
day.
AT the extreme west aud north ends Of the
city are beauiifully.located shaded and ar.
tisIically-arranged "Beer Parks, - which open
at noon Sundays, the proprietors generously
furnishing brass band to dispense music
during the evening. | understand that the
Twenty-third United States Infantry Band,
stationed at Omaha, has made engagements
with one OF them for this season. The parks
seem to be great resort Tor the Germans in
fact, might iruthfully say, for men, women
and children OF all nationAlities. Some visit
them to see and be seen, to hear and be heard,
and others TO enjoy social chat over few
rounds of cigars, while here and there may
be seen n group seated around table under
q shade tree and ''when the band begins TO
play 4 close observer might possibly detect
frequent elevations Of right hands, which
gradually and cautiously descend, and gently
desposit empty beer mugs upon the table,
repetition seemingly being absolutely essen.
tial at very brief intervals.
On the evening Of the LIST instant, about !
o. clock, we were visited by very heavy rain
storm, at times accompanied with pretty good
sized hail, which, with slight abatement, con.
tinued until nearly Il O'Clock, and parties
who took the pains to ascertain report the
fall Of ten inches Of water, which caused AIN.
dian Greek, that runs through the centre Of
the city, TO overflow its banks, and assume
the appearance Of young river, dislodging
several bridges, and washing out a number OF
side walks, all Of which have been speedily
replaced through the orders of our worthy
Mayor. During the storm our city presented
grand, though to some fearful sight, &C.
casioned by lightning striking and burning
two buildings at either extreme Of the city.
and almost simultaneously a yery large build
ing across the river at Omaha. All these at
the same time, and the streets covered with |
water, and the storm raging without, remind /
ed one of the grand, though frightiul sight Of
a fire at sea, but only TO be enjoyed BY the !
safe and comfortably looker.on. II |
was decidedly the greatest fall Of rain that has |
visited this portion Of Iowa for many years ;
fortunately the destruction was slight. Farm.
ers report very little damage TO crops, aud Of |
the railroads that centre here, viz; Chicago, |
Burlington and Quincy, Chicago, Rock Island !
and Pacific, Chicago and North Western,
Kansas City, ST. Joseph and Council Bluffs, |
Sioux City and Pacific, Union Pacific. Bur.
lington and Missouri, and Omaha and North |
Western-there was no damage done to cause
impeachment to the trains of either, all arriving
and departing on regular schedule time.
A few weeks since our citizens gave EVIL
denee Of their approval and appreciation of
Judge billions just decision in the great
Union Pacific Railroad mandamns suit, by
gathering en- nsdsse at the City Square, where
speeches were delivered by some of our most
able and learned men, as well as cannonad-
ing, bonfires, &c This case has been the
great bugabo of the two rival cities, Council
Bluffs and Omaha, both claiming the initial
point of the great Union Pacific Railroad, the
latter having had that advantage since the
road was built, Notwithstanding the charter
calls for the Iowa side of the river as the
Alpha point. This is the third trial and the
highest tribunal it can be carried to, and all
have decided in favor Of Council Bluffs, hence
our citizens rejoice, and are rapidly going on
with tine and costly improvements The city
passenger railway company in the past week
have laid track from the Pacific House"
down Pearl street to st. Joe depot Many
intended handsome residences aud BUSINESS
houses are under contract, and the ogden
House, fine structure, aud once the pride
of the city, which was destroyed by FIRE some
months since, is to be Immediately rebuilt,
and the stockholders say il must and shall
surpass the "Grand Central Hotel in Oma.
ha. They are certainly live and energetic
set, and mean business all the time.
The present prospect for small aud large
grain, and, in fact, for all kinds Of produce
IN this portion Of the State, was never better,
and facilities for shipping are unsurpassed.
The noble Red Man of the Forest, with
squsws and five TO ten year old pappooses, with
bow and arrows in hand, can be seen daily
parading our streets, seeking what they might
well, wont say steal--but they have the
reputation Of picking up and carrying off
without permission, a great many things that
don't belong to them. These copper-colored
folks mostly belong to the Omaha, Sioux and
Pawnee tribes
Black Hills stock way below par.
j.. w. b.