Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-25
STATE HAS A FEW LOCALITIES
WHERE TOWNS AND RAIL.
ROADS ARE FAR AWAY.
GARDEN SPOTS REGARDLESS
OF PECULIAR CONDITIONS
Splendid Homes and People Of Refine.
nent Make Up Population and Dis.
tanes From Steam Cars 10 Not
NotiesabIs-c. E. Wilson's Rural Oh.
ssrvations.
Special to Times-Republican.

Eldora, March 25.-We, the inhabi-
tants of Iowa, know that our rural
communities are for the most part
within few miles Of some thriving
village, town or city and that within
say six miles Of a farm home there are
sometimes not only one but in many
cases two or lathree different points
where goods and farm products are
bought and sold and social centers es-
taollshed and maintained. Recent day
improvements In roads and transporta-
uon Facilities have brought town and
country people together so that a spec
tator at Sunday evening church SER
wee or On the occasion of week night
lecture finds himself unable to distin-
sulsh, unless personally acquainted, be-
tween those from the farms and the
others from their town homes and this
simply because there are no differences
to be distinguished. When stormy
Weathed threatens to prevail at the
tlme or any of these gatherings the
town dweller says There will not be
large audience tonight because the
people from outside the town will not
be here Easy access to the towns
mas become such matter Of fact thing
Tor most of the farming population that
rev perhaps ever think what it means
to live dozen or even eight or ten
miles from trading point and the
attendant social center. In the very
rev places in this state where such
conditions prevail; there is a problem
TO be settled and the manner of it's So
luton forms an interesting subject for
the occasional visitor and others as
well.
Melrose township in Grundy county
is the center of district comprising
ABOUT 100 square miles on which there
IS located no town or village of any de-
scrlpt1on whatever 1t includes one of
the finest farming districts within the
limits of this state. No railroad, stream
or water, nor any other obstruction
either natural or artificial is there to
cut up the farms which are about as
Mighty developed and productive as
iowa anords. 1t Is estimated that two
thirds OF the land included In the CEN
tral part of this district is owned by
the men who cultivate it and any of it
could be sold with very little delay for
nsure every near the $500 mark.
mere are but two other places in at
least eighteen counties OF Iowa so far
from 5toWns-one to the south Of Clar- I,
ION IN wright county, and another be-
tween Grinnell and Tama in Poweshiek
ana rama counties In these, however,
there are inland stores.
The nearest approach to village in
the Melrose township community is the
central point known as Ivester. Old
settlers remember that store and
blacksmith shop were once located here
put that was good many years ago.
lvester is remarkable, however, for
here stands what is perhaps the finest
rural church in Iowa. 1t was built last |
summer, cost $4,000, and would be
credit to almost any county seat town
In this state. 1t is told with pride that |
the structure was cleared of debt on
the day of its dedication. The inscrip-
ton, Church of the Brethren" indi-
Gates the dominant religious denomina-
ton. but many outsiders attend the
services and the membership is said
to be more than 200. A good lecture
course is being held there at the pres
ent time and the big building is fire.
quently crowded to it's capacity.
Nearness to markets has always been
a desirable point Of attainment on the
part of the farmer and late day condi-
lions have intensified the desire. Com
located at a distance from
railroad station must and will find
way to remove the handicap of the
long haul" In such places there are
periodical railway surveys, some talk
Of new station and speculation as to
It's exact location, then cessation Of
railroad news" and finally the sug
sestion that somebody has sold out to
some railway company. that doesn't
care to have any competing road con-
,tructed. 1t may be that some special
lind of public highway will be con- .
'tructed to these isolated localities or {
IN interurban line. built to connect
hem with the outside world or some
,ther way figured out to remedy the
difficulty. 1t is a safe assertion that
10 such communities, as the three mem
Toned above will long remain as they,
ire at this time in the matter Of ac-
to trade centers.
G. E. WILSON.