Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1877-01-03
PelIa notes.

trade. The new public school build
ing, erected the past summer at cost
of about SIS, 900 Is an ornament and q
credit to the city and to the designers
and builders. We noticed several
new and stately residences. But for
lack of time for general survey OF
the place, and for particular inspec-
ton and inquiry, we should have
been able to speak more specifically Of
the various Improvements begun and
completed In the past year.
The trade OF the city has probably
been somewhat decreased by the
building OF railroads to Knoxville, but
the place retains much of its old-time
active business appearance. In an
hour we counted more than dozen
teams crossing the Square from the
northwest, freighted with grain,
moving towards the extensive grain
houses and mills about the depot.
The streets, particularly In the busi-
ness localities, have an mir OF thrift
and neatness.
That "Garden Square" however.
has terribly dilapidated and woe-be-
gone appearance as If 1t had recently
suffered from hurricane, and were
not yet convalescent. II should be
enclosed. Those dead and broken
cottonwoods about the square, relics
of the fourth decade OF the century,
should be replaced with living, thrifty
deciduous and evergreen trees and
shrubbery, which would transform
that wild common into beautiful
park OF which every citizen might
well be proud. [Some Of these re-
marks may be applied to Knoxville
Public Square.
Pella people, or some OF them, are
again agitatipg the subject OF diyis-
ion Of the county, and the formation
of a new county, Of which Pella ID to
he the hub. They want to combine
portions Of Marion, Mahaska and
Jasper in order to secure the re-
duisite territory. II they cannot ac-
compIish this design, they propose TO
ask that one-haIf tie District and
Circuit Court sessions shall be held at
Peila. There is also talk, in case OF
failure in these schemes, Of asking
that portion or all Of Lake Prairie
township, including the town OF Pei
Ia. be detached from this county ana
attached to Mahaska, upon the claim
that the people Of that vicinity can
reach OskaloOsa easier than they can
Knoxville. There seems to be
great want Of unanimity Of sentiment
on these questions, however. Many
think the idea Of a new county absurd; /
others who would be disposed 10 favor
il regard it impracticable, as the coan- /
ties as now organized could never be 4
induced to consent by vote. Some .
feel aggrieved because this side Of the I
river has given little or no eneour-
agemcnt, and some active opposition,
| 10 the building Of bridge across the
Des Moines. They assert the south
side Of the river has 20 great ex-
tent monopoIized the use Of the coun,
~ bridge fund for the erection OF nu-
merous bridges, while the north
side has not been so favored That
Pella has paid very large share Of
the bridge tax and has not received a
fair divide. A few Of the more coicky
seem 10 blame Knoxville with oil
their distresses in these matters. AT
present we shall attempt no argument
pro or con, touching these points, as
none Of them are really pertinent UNI
Ill issue is raised. There Is room for
argument and good defense for Knox
Vile and the people OF the South side,
and we may In future discuss the
questions. VIII venture to say here,
however, that some time in the future
when times are better and our people
have had good crops and have recov-
cred from the present financial depres-
sion, we shall feel disposed to favor
the building of substantial bridge
over the Des Moines that will enable
our friends at Pella, Otley, and Red
Rock and their contiguous regions, to
reach the county-seat In high water
times by a reasonably direct rout and
without such serious inconvenience
as they have suffered in the past.
During our stay In the Garden City
we took occasion 10 make fraternal
call at the BLADE Office, aad found the
Better Brothers In business eye-deep,
and apparently prospecting, AZ they
deserve. They give the Pella people
tip top paper, which has given the
city an enviable name throughout
the state and far beyond state borders.
The Blade should have IA generous
patronage and encouragement from
every citizen of Pella and yacinity.
Bro. Neyenesch and his energetic
foreman John yandermast, showed
us through the lHeekblod establish
ment. Mr.. n. Is genial gentleman
and talented editor. John writes
excellent letters for the Register and
the Democrat.
We cannot close our notes without
mentioning the American House,
which under the management of Mr..
Bongers il u good place to stop for
svuare meal or Il clean bed.
@. w. PALMER, at the Blue Front,