The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-04-07
JASPER RLlNEs' OBSERVATIONS.
comets-visit to the Big Water Pow
err Dam-Appearance of Migra-
tory Birds-Des Moines
River Changes, Etc.
To the Editor OF The Gate City:

Some methods of modern farming
cause two weeds to grow where one
used to grow. For example; The
planting of corn with a lister.
This is a historic year for comets.
In January the Johannesburg comet
was pretty object, and soon Mr..
Halley's will bloom into view. The
most important comet of all is just
returning from Africa and will be
visible in America for many years.
On Saturday / took a literary scout
which extended over to Hamilton and
there enjoyed my first view of the
great enterprise which will be one of
the eminent and worthy elements of
Anglo-SaXon achievements of this
country and century. The magnifi-
cence of the river views charm and
give inspiration to the thoughtful and
refined mind Looking from the Ham
ilton elevation, the great stream is
the fine perspective decorated with
the architectural and artistic attain
ments of man. Keol5uk, like Athens
of old, appears in splendor, and we'll
may have ST Paul chosen one of the
prominences of the city from whence
to address the world for all time.
-Four pretty steamers in the canal
were awaiting orders for voyages on
the beloved stream which Chief Black
Hawk said he admired and loved The
Greek workmen attracted attention
from the many visitors who
studied the swarthy tribe in their
slow attack upon the limestone and
the sedimentaIy deposits of the many
centuries. The Grecians who rushed
down the slope at Marathon and dis
persed twenty times their own num-
Der of Persians truly must have been
of superior strength and energy to
those of their class now at work at
Hamilton. The Mexicans would be
more effective workmen, or nergoes
yet more willing and skillsul The
geology of the locality and the history
of the river at this place are features
which invite my attention and admira-
ton above other considerations And
these great subjects will be studied
more profoundly as the work pro-
crosses, as / am invited to write of
them for publication.
| | recently read that Halley's comet
| has travelled as many miles within the
recent year as it approaches the sun,
as it did in the preceding twenty
years. Why, really. the comet must
be first cousin of the Republican in
surgents in congress, for they have
been moving with great rapidity to-
/ ward the central attraction for some
months. Perhaps after all the comet
i is LaFollett or Cummins?
My record of the appearance of
! migratory birds, insects, and other
naeural history attracts, shows that
on Wednesday, March so, the dragon
4 fly was observed This is six days
earlier than last year. The monarch
butterfly was common as early as
/ March 30. A bat was seen March %
Heard tree toad April and noticed
lady humble bee April 4.
/ Having completed their new NJ. p
4 church, now let the Holy Spirit de-
i scend upon them
4 At the Buena Vista place there are
displays OF activity and progress in
/ several forms of business. Farmers
are busy working the rich soils of the
4 Des Moines delta. advancing their
/ pickets and outposts to the very limits
tof the expansive river. The former
/ channel of the Des Moines is becom-
ing qualified for producing crops, and
I the land is very rich. The river is
4 surely forcing its delta channels far
Their to the east, and the little islands
| of sedimentary makeup are being
eroded and their elements of Missouri
and Iowa soils are being shipped away
to the big free gulf. The place where
Kelley's army camped two days in
May, 1894, is melting and disappear
ing
The republic is making fair speed,
with good depth of quiet waters for
| the ship of state. Be of good cheer.
and 90 onward to higher and more
! spiritual sttainments.
JASPER BLINEs.
Seven Pines.