The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-02-08

floods. negative business conditions
and depressing influences of the civl'
war. 1t is well at this place In the
narrative, to consider the conditions
OF the country and its people during
those years Of pioneer existence IN
the central western states.
The new world was being invaded
bv the multitudes who were to pos
sess the land forever. It was the COM
ing Of the Aryan type who were des-
tined to change this vast domain from
a condition of idleness into that OF
usefulness and enduring fame.
The study of the settlement Of SO
magnificent an empire is theme OF
fine entertainment. Upon the summit
of the mountains of Virginia, Henry
Clay. with prophetic inspiration ex-
claimed that he could hear the march
ing of the great nations yet to be.
And it is the logic of history that
this race is to be the world power. II
never retreats or forsakes conquest.
Settlement of the western world
advanced in thin lines for many years.
After the pioneers discovered that
they had really found continent, a
few adventurersome skirmishers ven
tured forth into the trackless forests
and the unbounded prafr1es. The
waves were sometimes defeated by Sc
we're gradients, and then more power
full forces were sent out. First, little
bands of foot soldiers, then few cav
airy. followed by wagons Some pur-
sued their journeys In row boats and
fiat boats. AS navigation assumed
more importance, steamers on the
Ohio. Mississippi, Des Moines and
MANY other streams served as means
of TRANSFORMATION for the hardy emh
grants.
The Mississippi was an especially
prominent avenue for travel, and the
motto was go West" Students OF
the subject declare that there is
influence or power which
impels things to the west. This is
quite proyidential. The time arrived
when emigration in settling the west
demanded quicker and more ample
methods, and here enters upon the
scene the one great means and
method which maintains it's high RANK
and supremacy today. 1t is the rail-
road
VITALITY Of Canal sentiment.
But the old time systems were not
to pass away for a time. There was
the canal system. And it is strange
reading at this late day to reflect
what a vitality this means Of trans
portation has upon many minds OF to-
dav. The proposed canal on the Des
Moines river sixty-eight years ago Is
a good example, and a brief notice at
this place is in order.
Congress. by an act dated August
8. 1916. granted to the territory Of
Iowa for the purpose of aiding the
territory to improve the navigation OF
the Des Moines river from its mouth
to the Raccoon fork, an equal motety,
in alternate sections, of the public
lands. remaining unsold, in strip
five miles in width on each side OF
said river. The Iowa State Gazateer
Of 1865. says: "The grant has proved
a. fruitful source of legislation and
corruption In the state; various COM
panies have been organized, many
locks and dams constructed, and the
of the river rendered
worse than before the improvements
we're commenced, till at last the peo-
pIa prayed to be released from its
prosecution, and asked that the lands
might be used in the construction Of
a railroad I'D the valley Of the Des
Moines. which has been granted, and
the work is fast being completed to
the capital
The years Of 1850 to 1850 inclusive
were periods Of very great activity or
settlement in the regions of the i'm
mediate valley of the Mississippi riv
er. The seekers for lands and homes
arrived in multitudes, and the tidal
wave of humanity attained great
heights and expanded in all direc-
tions. Lands rapidly passed into own
ership. Ny own county Of Clark more
than doubled in population between
1850 and 1860. The conquering- heroes
had come, and the forest lands and
prairie lands and river side and glen
were summoneG to give an account OF
their useful elements for the welfare
of the pale face invasion of the many
allies