Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-02-21
Px.r4, Iowa, Feb. Z,

Pxnn4, Iowa, Feb. Z, 1884
Editor Kerne5ee Journal: Will few notes
concerning this town and this country be Of
interest to your readers! If % I will Writ
occasionally.
Thomas C. Norris, Esq., formerly Of
Vienna, Me-, and twice . member OF the
popular branch of the legislature, came to
thi, village while the corn hills and stalks Of
the last crop we're in the recently laid Out
streets, in the fall of 1869, and died here
last September, the town then having three
thousand people. Perry 10 at the crossing OF
the DIS Moines and Fort Dodge and the
Cbicsgo. Milwaukee and st Paul railroads
three hundred and sixty hve miles from I'M
cago. and one hundred and twenty four miles
rom counciI Bluffs. the last named road being
one of the best in the country, and an almost
air line from Chicago to Omaha The latitude
of this place is that Of Chicago,it is in the mid
die Of the great cJrn belt of Iowa. which State
for Weld OF corn per acre, and number OF hogs,
rank, frs, among the States. In this region
land I, worth from twenty to forty dollars
per acre. the latter price being for best land
veil improved. The crops for three years
have been short. and people pressed with
debts. mostly on lard owned and occupied by
the debtors, but with the indulgence of
creditors and good crops, in the
near future all will be we'll.
The temperature here. for the year, is about
the same As in Maine; but the atmosphere is
less humid, and lung disease not as preva-
lent.
This part of Iowa differs from Central
Illinois in having less malaria, more sand in
the soil, and clearer streame of water, while
it is perhaps equally productive. But both
regions are unexcelled for agricultural pur-
poses except By small regions in a few river
valleys. The moral and intellectual tone of
the people, one may say, is like
that of the people Of New England.
Yes, and it surprises me. that no New Eng
land State ranks with Iowa in some respects.
One might think State producing most grain
per capita, very likely to excel in i!literacy,
but the proportion of people who can read of
ten years old and upwards is better than any
other State. But we have no Harvard; we
are too young We have no Concord Sum-
mer School of Philosophy but the thinkings
and doings at Clear Lake will, perhaps, shed
az much light on the problems of real life,
for both this world and the next, as that or
any other Summer School of Philosophy
We have a healthy feeling concerning the
great crimes of alcoholism, and q sturdy pur-
pose to take the heads of this hydra as fast
as possible. The people are not asleep under
the abuse of authority which defeated the
amendment to the constitution prohibiting the
traffic in intoxicaDts. One dreadful mistake
in Iowa legislation has done much harm, but
the remedy is at hand, and bill now before
the legislature, if passed, will put wine,
beer and ale where they belong-under the
ban of prohibition. II we propose to kill the
vipers. let no mistaken notions OF the limo
cence of the little ones exempt them from
slaughter.
This is a grand State, with great rivers,
beautiful lakes. somewhat capricious skies,
pure and bracing air, immense stretches of
fertile acres, and people who seem to be
largely the sons and daughters Of the best
families of both American and European
States. OCCIDKNr.