The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1877-07-26
Letter From Iowa.
PARAMOUNT, CAPITOL
PRAIRIE,) Iowa,
IL "A 1917

FAIRMoUNT, CAPITOL
PRAIRIE,) Iowa,
July IA, 1877. }
To the Editor OF the Standard:
Seeing many articles from the West in
your valuable paper ere this, / thought ]
would immethodically present a few OBJ
servations, &c, of this country from here
to the Capital Myself and several of
my pupils left here for Des Moines on
the evening of the Sd inst. We formed
quite jolly company. The cars were
crowded-all could not get seats.
We swiftly passed over this beautiful
country, observing the beautiful groves,
farm houses. golden fields Of grain wav-
ing (almost as far as one can see) like
the sea. Wheat, rye, oats, and barley
are in abundance. Cornl cornll no end
to it. 1t appears that one could walk on
corn for miles as it stands so thick on
the ground.
Soon we arrived at Altoona, about
twelve miles from Des Moines.
The Rock Island and Des Moines VAL
ley r. r. tracks are from twenty feet to
one hundred yards apart from Hitoon a
to Des Moines. Immediately after leav-
ing Altoona the Rock Island train ar
rives and then pursues US. Soon she is
by our side with whoop, halloo and wav-
ing of hats and handkerchiefs the race
begins. "Pell nell hurry skurry," ex-
cited engineers and amid the roar of the
passengers, on we 60, bouncing and al
most flying through the air until the r.
/. train passes us and leaves US in the
smoke. have seen many a boat race
on the Ohio River, but this dry land boat
race on wheels gets away with me entire
ly, or / want to be away from it. Soon
we arrived at Des Moines, gladly to be
freed from the crowded cars. We first
visited the Capitol, which is yet unfinish-
ed. 1t will be grand building when
completed. l stood upon the cornice
on top of one of the pilasters one hun
dred feet from the ground and took a
birds eye view of the city. The Capitol
is situated on a very high knoll. The
large buildings are mostly Of brick. Some
very fine church buildings Also a very
large Exposition Hail. Some as fine res.
ldences as can be found anywhere.
had the pleasure of depending three or
four hours with Mills & Co., music pub
fishers. Prof. c. v. Taylor is their main
composer. He is the author of several
books; has also written several compost
tions, entitled "Te Deum Laudamus."
He has also written the oratorio of
Joseph, which is very fine. 1t is yet in
Ms. He has had it performed at several
places with great success. On the morn
ing Of the 4th, our attention was mostly |
attracted by the arrival of Forepaugh's |
show and his grand promenade through |
the streets. Soon we were again aboard |
the train for Monroe, and found many
persons there celebrating our indepen-
dence.
Time will not permit me to give full |
account OF this excursion, as i intend to |
take the next train for Worthington,
MINI; then to Dell Rapids. Dacota Ter
ritory. | closed my ninth Musical Con-
ventien last night. / expect to hold
Convention at each of the above named |
places and return to this vicinity. and |
give three or more Conventions. Then /
| will 60 to Missouri. Kansas and Illi- |
nois to hold several Conventions that are |
now awaiting my arrival. | will close |
this short note, and il it is worthy of its
space in your most valuable paper, will |
give you a short description of the gar
den spot of Iowa, Fairmount Capitol |
Prairie. CHAS. A. LACKEY.