Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1878-11-21

yelling, sleep was next to an impos-
sibility. Morning found us at
DUNLAP,
town Of 500 souls, forty miles from
Council Bluffs. Here we breakfastedl
The road from this place to the river
runs through the valley OF a small
river or creek. This valley land is
said to be very rich and we'll adapted
for grain. On either eide are high
bluffs which presented rather
dreary appearance that November
morning, covered as they were with
the dead prairie grass.
At Missouri Valley Junction, I left
the Northwestern road for the Sioux
City s. Pacific. This road runs for
seventy-five miles north, and has
scarcely a curve. The country it
traverses IL sparsely settled, and the
towns along the line are few and
small. Now and then we passed q
country school house. but where the
children come from who fill them, un-
less, like Topsy, they grow out of
the ground" is more than | can tell.
SIOUX CITY
has between seven and nine thousand
people, and Is situated on the east
side OF the Missouri river. at the head
OF navigation for steamers. A large
business is done here, and consider
able wholesaling. The Government
purchases its stores for the North
west largely at this place. Six or
seven railroads give it communica-
ton with the outside world. The
country surrounding the city is not
good. and about all that is produced
the city consumes. The business
portion of the town is built on level
ground, near the river, while the resi-
dences are mostly back orf the bluffs.
The business houses are constructed
sent fine appearance. The Wood
bury County Court House Is an ele-
CANT structure, and the inside Is said
to be the finest finished public build
ing in the State. The river is not
very wide the water is about the
same color and of the same thickness
as that in the Chicago river. There are
several churches in the city, but also
numerous saloons and other places
OF vice. Drew, the temperance work
.er, was there at this time and his Ia
bors had been quite successful. In
word, Sioux City. from what 1
learned, was a go-ahead business
town, pretty fast and lawful hard.
did not fall in love with the place.
Born aud raised on the prairies OF
Illinois, the thick woods OF Marshall
county used to make me homesick,
and so did the bluffs OF Sioux City.
want to live in Il acountry where / can
see something.
From Sioux City turned eastward,
determined to travel along leisurely,
get good look mt the country, aud
stop at the principal towns. The
first was
BOONE, BOONE COUNTY,
1i0 miles from the Missouri river.
Boone is q city only eleven or twelve
years old, and contains 1000 inhabi
tants. 1t is nicely built, the streets
are wide and cross at right t-angles.
1t is the largest place between Mar
shall and the river. The surrounding
country is rolling and productive.
Some of the best coal mines in the
State are located within a few miles
OF town. With energetic business
men, thrifty and intelligent inhabi-
tants, and good newspaper, 1t is
dez tined to be city OF some note in
future. A fine new high-school build
ing is nearly completed. and 1 noticed
other improvements in course OF con-
struction. About half mile from
Boone is Bocnesboro. the county
seat. A few years ago this was
lively place. The agents of the North
western road wished the city to con-
tribute $4,000 for the building OF
bridge over the Des Moines river,
three miles distance. This the citi-
zens refused to do. The road then
crossed the river to the south, and by
sharp curves skipped Boonsboro alto
gether. The company then bought
land east of the town. laid out a town,
called it Boone, made it the end OF a
division and located repair shops
there. 1t soon became quite a busy
place. As the town grew the county
sea- began to decline. and to-day 1t
presents the most dilapidated appear
ance Of any place ever beheld.
Many brick blocks have been torn
down; several fine brick structures
still remain but are rapidly going to
destruction. 1t seems nothing on
earth can resurrect the place. 1t is
"dead as door nail."
MARsHALLTOwN
is fifty miles east OF Boone, and con-
tains about seven thousand people.
Between the two places is the pretty
little city Of Ames. where narrow
guage road runs to Des Moines, the
capitol OF the State. Here is also To-
Gated the Iowa College Of Agriculture.
Marshalltown presents very solid
appearance. 1t is the eounty-seat of
Marshall county, one of the finest ag-
riculturai counties in the State. The
business houses, private residences,
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