Year: 1874

merly at this mill has been replaced by
fine Wrought Iron Tubular Bridge. The
river bottom is made secure against high
water by a fine stone grade from the
bridge to the bluff-half mile. The
scenery hereabouts is fine White Oak
p O., is the only one in the township.
North of this we have


MONROE TIP.


Similar in many respects to White Oak.
1t is better timbered than most townships,
is settled by thrifty farmers who have
placed in high state of cultivation. 1t
is well watered by numerous streams the
principal of which are North Skunk river,
running from north to south, Middle
Greek through the southern part of the
township, and Cedar creek (the third one
of the name in the county, in the north
east The only town is indianapolis,
thrifty place of some 400 inhabitants, in
the northeast part of the township, which
has a good trade; it is one of the pro-
posed stations ON the contemplated Iowa
Southwestern railroad. Hopewell p. o.,
is half mile west of the river on the
Oskaloosa and Sigourney road. On the
river where this road crosses, we find the
excellent grist mill of Lord 4 Co. AT
this point another Iron Bridge spans the
stream. This was the first iron bridge of
any kind put up west of the Mississippi
river. About three miles above we find
the grist mill of Smith & Bridges, one of
the incest and neatest mills we have ever
seen. Another iron bridge spans the riv-
er here for the accommodation of the
travelling public. About three miles above
this, on the township line is located Rob
erts' grist mill Another iron bridge is
here found spanning the stream. Next
east we find


ADAMS TIP,


One of the most fertile and best cultiva-
ted in the county. South Skunk river
forms the eastern boundary, and Middle
creek and other streams of smaller mag
nitude water it. Buck Horn is the only
p o. The surface is principally prairie,
though timbered along the streams. Some
of the finest farms in the county are here
found, and the industrious occupants have
placed their township in the front rank.
Some of the largest farms in the county
are found herein, from 1000 acres, down.
The Central railroad runs along the west
ern boundary and the Southwestern rail
road when built will pass through this
township, and probably make station.
A splendid stone grade across the South
Skunk bottom to the j. H. Warren mill
makes the road passable at all seasons of
the year. This mill is one of the finest
in the State, four stories high and has
a splendid run of custom. An excellent
iron bridge spans the river at this point.


MADISON TIP.


The south line of this township is two
and half miles north of Oskaloosa.
South Skunk river, rnnning from north
west to southeast divides the township
nearly in halves The Central Railroad
of Iowa runs along the east line of the
township, but makes no station. A short
distance above the railroad bridge is the
Upper Mill' owned by Whitmore & Co.,
at present. 1t is fine structure on the
main line of travel from Oskaloosa north
At this point another iron bridge is found,
this time double span: Crossing is
made easy here at all times by a fine stone
grade from the bridge to the bluff beyond.
This fertile township is well settled, under
good cultivation, and we'll supplied with
timber. Next west is


BLACK OAK TIP.


This is prairie township, although the
streams are bordered with the usual sup
ply of timber. South Skunk runs through
the northeast corner, and Black Oak,
Muckachinock and other creeks drain and
water it. The ,Keokuk & Des Moines
Railroad runs diagonally through the low
er part of the township, and has a station
at the pleasant little village of Leighton
Here is fine hotel and STEMS splendid
steam grist mill. On Skunk river in the
northwest corner of the township, is the
Parker & Cramer mill A ferry accom-
modates the traveller at this point. The
soil is good, and well cultivated by an in
dustrious class of farmers. This COM
pletes the third tier of townships. North
of this in the fourth and last tier, we have


RICHLAND TIP.


This is the northwest township of the
county The west part is somewhat bro
ken and well timbered A good quality of
building stone here abounds plentifully.
Specimens of it may be seen in the Ma
tional Bank building, and probably others
about Oskaloosa. South Skunk river cuts
off the southwest corner about one
fourth of the township. The Robert
Warren Touring mill is located on the
river, and has fine run of custom. A
good frame bridge spans the current there,
and stone grade, similar to the others
spoken of renders the river passable at
all times. Peoria and Granville are the
towns, each having about 200 inhabitants,
with good churches, etc. Granville has a
fine school-house. The soils good general
ly, and in the east part some of the incest
rolling prairie in the State The projected
Muscatine Western Railroad passes
through this township Next east we
find


PRAIRIE TIP.


This township is well named, for the
whole surface is a beautiful rolling prairie,
with but little if any timber The soil is
rich and in high state of cultivation.
Middle Greek and some smaller streams
drain it. New Sharon is the only town,
though there is post Office, in the south
west part, called Flint. New Sharon is a
pleasant little place of 500 inhabitants
the largest town in the county except
Oskaloosa 1t is depot on the Central
Railroad, (which runs along the eastern
border of the township,) and also on the
line of the Muscatine Western, projected
line through this tier, and is a place of
considerable business. 1t has the usual
amount of churches, school-houses, stores,
hotels, lively newspaper, the Star, and
other branches of business necessary to
accommodate lively town and splendid
country around The town has more than
doubled in size since the advent of the
railroad, two years ago. In the lower
part of this, and contiguous parts of ad-
joining townships, some of the heaviest
cattle feeders and dealers in the county
are found In and about New Sharon a
majority of the inhabitants are Friends or
Quakers, a splendid class of citizens
Next east is ~


Aas t ~ UNION TIP.