Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-05-20
FROM IOWA.
SWAN LAKE, Iowa, !
MAY SLh, 1882.

moving to northern Ohio, from
which place | have removed to Em-
met county in the northwest part of
Iowa; | desire to give your readers a
brief description of this county, its
resources, farming and stock raising
interests, which may be of some in
terest TO those seeking homes in the
great northwest.
Emmett county is bounded on the
north by the State of Minnesota, on
the south by Palo Alto county, on
the east by Kossuth county and the
Big Sioux river on the western boun-
dairy of the State. The West Fork
Des Moines river flows through the
western part of the county, while
| the eastern part is watered by the
East Fork Des Moines.
The county comprises 40S square
miles and is what is known as the
famous Iowa lake region. 1t con-
tains about 1000 inhabitants mostly
from the eastern states, mixed with
some foreign population. The win
tiers here are about as long as the
winters in northern Ohio and about
as mild, the weather being more
steady and but very little snow falls.
The winters are attended with very
many bright snnshiny days. Twelve
degrees below zero was the coolest
weather here last winter.
The atmosphere is dry and conse-
quently the climate is very healthy.
Situated in the exact geographical
center of the county on the banks of
the beautiful lake after which it is
named is the little town of Swan
Lake, the county seat. 1t has a pop
ulation OF about one hundred, all of
which are from the eastern states.
1t has two general merchandise
stores, one hardware store, a hotel,
bank, newspaper, etc. Considering
that it was started only four years
ago it has had quite rapid growth.
1t Is on the proposed line of the Chi
cago u Northwestern II. r., which
has been completed to Bancroft in
Kossuth county, twenty five miles
from here.
The Chicago, Milwaukee 81 st.
Paul II. II. completed last year, a
road from Emmetsburg, in the
southern part of this county, which
is the only road in operation in the
county They have also graded
line up through the western part OF
the county, along the Des Moines
river to Jackson, Minnesota, which
will be completed during the coming
season.
The Burlington, Cedar Rapids u
Northern Railroad have also graded
line from Emmetsburg through
the western part of the county to
the town of Estherville nine miles
northwest of Swan Lake, thence
northwest to to Spirit Lake in Dick
inson county. This road will also
be completed during the present
year.
The land is all rolling prairie, and
the soil is deep black loan from
eighteen inches to three feet In
depth, very rich and admirably
adapted to both grain raising and
stock breeding.
The blue joint grass grows here
from eighteen inches to six feet In
height and affords an abundant sup
ply of the very best hay for stock
during the winter months. The
stock raises can have it cut and put
up for from ST to $1.50 per ton.
Owing to the large amount of unoc-
cupied land in the county there Is a
very good range for stock, while The
East and West Forks of the Des
Moines river, afford an abundant
supply of water, and by digging
from Is to 20 feet an inexhaustible
supply of water for household pur-
poses may be obtained. A consid-
cradle amount of timber is found
around the lakes and along the
streams, and numerous fine groves
can be seen all over the county; but
coal is generally preferred as the
cheapest and best fuel. Soft coal
can be had at $3.50 and SIS per ton.
All those who enjoy good hunting
will find ready field for such sport
here. Prairie chickens, ducks,geese
and cranes abound in large numbers.
And now, as to the price of land, /
will say that improved lands are to
be mostly had at from SO TO $40 per
acre and wild land from "a to $22 per
acre according to location.
There are thirty-three schools in
the county, several church organi-
cations and two church edifices. One
of these is located in Swan Lake and
is one of the finest in this section.
Several more church edifices will be
built during the present year. Any
person desiring further information
relative to this section Of Iowa, can
address me at this place.
Very Truly,
LAWRENCE d. SMITH.