Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1877-08-17
IOWA AND INDEPENDENCE.
How our State and City Impressed an
Intelligent CANADIAN Gentleman.


Mr.. Geo. Thompson, Of Ontario coun-
ty, Canada West, father of Walter
Thompson of Byron township, gentle
man of practical wisdom and experience,
spent two weeks in our county about the
middle Of last month, visiting his son and
improving his opportunity for observa-
ton of the character, progress and
advantages of our State and county.
After his return to his home, Mr..
Thompson made a report of his impress
sions through the columns of his local
paper, the North Ontario Observer. We
copy his article for the qualification of
our readers:
Having just returned from a some
what brief but exceedingly pleasant and
satisfactory run over several States Of
the American Union, feel inclined to
give you brief sketch of my travels
| had determined especially to visit
the State of Iowa and select that season
of the year (the month of july when |
could see it to greatest advantage, laden
with the gifts of nature-the reward Of
the husbandman' toll. [ travelled over
several States and was well satisfied
with the numerous indications of intelli-
gence, thrift and prosperity which ev-
erywhere presented themselves. Leav-
ing Illinois [ crossed the Mississippi and
entered the rich, fertile and Towering
plains of Iowa inhabited by happy and
intelligent community. | received a
most hearty welcome from hospitable,
social and wealthy people. Several gen
tlemen having placed their horses and
carriages at my disposal, was conveyed
at will over those beautiful and luxHri-
Gus prairies where nature wears her
richest garb, and where from a rising
ground in almost any direction may be
seen at single gaze numerous herds of
splendid cattle, numbering respectively
from one thousand downwards; while
the air is vocal with the music of birds
of the rarest plumage. Upon visiting
Independence, a fourishing city situated
on the banks of the Wapsie, beautiful
river emptying it's waters into the great
Mississippi, | had the pleasure of seeing
the principal attractions of this fine city,
being conducted by friend through all
the principal public buildings, the chief
of which is the asylum situated on an
elevation about mile west from the
city, erected at a cost of one million
dollars; and here were found three or
four hundred patients, all cared for in
the most attentive and skilful manner.
In visiting the mansions of the more
wealthy citizens | found them to be
well provided with every comfort and
luxury of which the best easterly homes
could boast. Within those truly hospit-
able mansions every means of the high
est intellectual enjoyment is supplied,
vocal and instrumental music of the
finest quality are never lacking as the
ladies of Iowa are courteous, amiable
and accomplished, and we'll qualified to
entertain their guests. In passing over
the finely laid out farms of Iowa | saw
the most luxuriant crops | ever beheld
at this season of the year Q5th of july.
The corn stood eight feet high, the hay
would yield three tons per acre, the
wheat, oats and all other crops were
equally good. This State is one of the
finest in the Union, both in regard to
climate and the fertility of its soil;
where neither stump nor stone interrupt
the agriculturalist, and where farmer
can perform his days work with ease
and profit"