Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1878-06-26
LETTER FROM IOWA.
BY A NATIVE OF oLEARrIELD COUNTY.

EDITOR OF THE REpuBLIoAN:-l hav,
been out here for some time, and
have taken pretty good view Of Nortl
Central Iowa, and | would like if yol
would give me the privilege of youl
; columns for the purpose Of retailing
my views to your many readers thro
the REPUBLICAN.
While constant stream OF emf
grafton is flowing westward, and find
ing homes in different sections of this
broad and fertile country, | think Q
word in regard 10 the advantages Of
this section of the State would not be
amiss. The general face of the coun.
try is, of course, prairie. The land
rises rather abruptly from the west
side of the east branch Of the Iowa
river, and stretches northward in a
broad and fertile table land, bounded
on the west by the west branch OF the
river.
From the eastern side of the east
branch level extends back short
distance, then il rises into what is call
ed uplands, and extends in an unbrok-
en- prairie for many miles in width, in
some places high and gently rolling,
in others level with occasional sloughs
and marshes; but cultivation is doing
a great deal in the way Of drying up
the sloughs. One would naturally sup
pose these ponds of water would bo
unhealthiul, but such is not the case.
The wind blowing so constantly keeps
the water sweet and pure, and you
neither see nor smell any indications
Of foul or stagnant water.
The air is pure, dry and invigorating.
Those who come here with pulmonary
disease very soon experience change
for the better. The country is re.
markably healtbful at all seasons.
Many who have never visited the west,
have great fear Of the Iowa winds, but
life here would be impossible without
it. In travelling over the prairie the
heat is intense when there is no air.
Fortunately, however there is almost
always q fresh, cxhilerating breeze,
which makes it comfortable for the
worker in the field, as well as pleasant
for travelling.
Land has been selling very rapidly
for the past five months. Men are
here from all parts of tho east, pur.
chasing land which they will improve
at once, and settle on permanently, as
IL will pay no man to hold unimproved
land. Unimproved land, in fact, is
all the kind in market, as none of the
old settlers are leaving, which fact
goes far to prove the prosperous con-
dition of the country. Land sales
range from FIVE 10 ten dollars per acre,
owing to quality and locality. At
Britt, a point twelve miles west of
Garner, on the Chicago, Milwaukee &
st. Paul Railroad, eighty teams can be
counted in sight at one time, breaking
prairie. This railroad crosses the State
as far west as Algona, from which
present terminus 1t is now being rap
idly constructed to intersect the st.
Paul & Sioux City Railroad, at a point
eighty miles west of the present ter.
minus. The Minnesota & Iowa Rail
road is graded north and south, with
prospect Of speedy completion, crossing
the Chicago, Milwaukee 4 ST. Paul at
Garner, in Hancock county, thus Civ.
ing this part all the facilities for ship.
ping produce or stock in any direction
that country could demand.
The wheat crop Of last year was un-
precedented in Iowa, but this year. If
nothing happens the grain before har-
vest, il will lar exceed it, as the pros
poets are equally as good as last. Corn
is raised in abundance, and bay can be
had for the cutting and curing, which
can be done for $500 per ton, and
thousands Of acres Of the finest grazing
in the world for stock. The country
Is in healthiul condition financially,
all kinds of produce plenty, which al
ways finds ready sale and brings a fair
price. Wood can be had for little more
per cord than is paid in the wooded
country in the east, Anthracite coal
from Pennsylvania sells at s12.00 per
ton. Bituminous coal, furnished from
Oskaloosa, Iowa, at $500 per ton, but
not so good an article as eastern coal
Immense beds Of peat have been dis
covered which will, no doubt, be util-
lied for fuel at no distant day.
Countless 0ocks Of wild geese, ducks,
prairie chickens and brants find their
home upon the prairie while the
streams and lakes are stocked with an
inexhaustibe supply OF as fine fish rs
can be found anywhere in the west.
The excellence Of our free schools ia
unsurpassed by any State in the Union.
Any locality numbering fifteen chill
dren is entitled to school
For beauty of landscape no country
can surpass this. As far as the eye
can reach is the beautiful prairie,
which, at this season Of the year, Is
covered with its carpet Of emerald
green, studded with wild flowers OF all
kinds and colors. Later in the season
a greater portion Of the green will be
changed TO waving seas Of golden
grain" In looking over the green, the
sight is frequently relieved by artif.
cial and occasionally natural groves.
Quite good deal of attention is being
paid to the planting Of trees, which
not only tend TO beautiiy the country,
but serve as wind-breaks in winter.
There is no doubt but what almost all
kinds of fruit will be success here.
There are quite a number OF apple.
bearing orchards, and cherries, plums,
and small fruits Of oil kinds do well.
Vegetables grow to an unusual size,
and require but very little attention
or care.
Ten miles west Of Mason City, In
Cerrogordo county, Is the town Of
Clear Lake, having population Of ten
or twelve hundred bat the chief at.
traction Is the lake itself, beautiful
sheet Of water three by six miles in
extent, its banks being covered by o
fine natural grove. A short d,stsnce
from the town the grounds are fitted
up With q large pavilion, and nun
ber Of summer cottages, with ample
space for pitching hundreds Of tents