Quasqueton Guardian

BUCHANAN COUNTY.

Buchanan County is situated in the N. E. portion of the State, and is the third from the Mississippi directly west from Dubuque. Independence and Quasqueton, its principal towns, are about 65 miles west of the city of Dubuque, in latitude 42 1/2, or about that of Albany and Buffalo. The county is four townships square and contains an area of three hundred and sixty-eight thousand, six hundred and forty acres.

SOIL.

The soil is generally a rich black loam, with a good clay subsoil. There is but little of the quicksand subsoil which is met with in many parts of the State, and which admits of a rapid leaching out of the surface soil as soon as it is broken up. It is immensely productive, and adapted to grazing, sheep-raising, and to the growth of cereals of all kinds There are no swamps or marshes in the county, and all the land is capable of the highest cultivation.

WATER.

The county is exceedingly well watered, having within its limits some eight distinct streams with numerous small branches. The most prominent of these is the Wapsipinicon River, which passes diagonally through the county from north west to southeast. This river rises near the northern border of our State, and certainly drains one of the richest valleys west of the Mississippi. Being fed by innumerable springs and flowing over a sandy or pebbly bed, its waters are cool, clear and silvery. Its declination is very considerable, furnishing a number of unsurpassed water powers, at convenient distances. Its banks, never bluffy, (at least, not in this county) are yet so uniformly elevated as to preclude an overflow of the adjoining lands even at the highest stage of water, and being almost entirely an outcropping of rock, cannot be washed, insuring an easy and cheap improvement of its mill privileges. The east branch of this river joins the main stream in the north western portion of this county, and near the confluence receives the accession of the waters of Birch creek. Otter Creek, rising in Fayette county, and draining the northern and western portion of Buchanan. is a never-failing stream and furnishes a good water power. Pine Creek possesses the same characteristics, and, together with Buffalo Creek, the second stream in size in the county, drains the central and eastern town ships, contributing to swell the size and volume of the Wapsipinicon. The southeastern portion of the county is drained by Spring, Lime and Bear creeks, which empty their waters into the Cedar. which river also crosses the extreme southwestern corner of the county. It will thus be seen that the county is unusually well watered in all directions, furnishing this convenience in every part for the purposes of grazing. Besides most excellent water is obtained anywhere at depth of from ten to twenty-five feet.

TIMBER.

Those acquainted with the characteristics of this region, will correctly infer, from the above exhibit of the water surface of the county, that the extent of its timber is proportionately great, inasmuch as in this region timber is almost exclusively confined to the borders of rivers and streams. This county certainly possesses more than the usual proportion of woodland, a recommendation of no little moment in a prairie country. Throughout the whole length of the county, along the borders of the Wapsipinicon, there is a belt of timber, from half a mile to six miles in width, with an average, probably, of over a mile. This timber consists, principally, of oak, basswood, ash, maple and black walnut, and is, to a large extent, suitable for building purposes. In the vicinity of Quasqueton, Independence and Fairbank, the timber is very abundant, at each of which places mills are in operation, capable of supplying a much increased local demand for lumber. The belt of timber bordering the east branch of the Wapsipinicon; and extending into Fayette and Bremer counties, is a very large and very fine one. Buffalo Grove in the northeastern, and Greeley's Grove in the northern part of the county, are both extensive and valuable bodies of timber. That bordering on the Wapsipinicon River and Pine creek, in the centre of the county, is much the largest body, covering an area of about 30,000 acres, and lies contiguous to both Quasqueton and Independence. Below Quasqueton, and extending south into Linn county, is another fine body, called Spring Grove. Buffalo Creek in the eastern section of the county, is also skirted with timber of good size and quality, as are also Spring, Lime and Bear Creeks in the south west, where we find Spencer's Grove. The area of the timber land in the county is fifty-one thousand, two hundred acres, or about one acre of timber to every seven of prairie, a proportion which but few counties in the state can show The price of lumber at Quasqueton is from $15 to 20 per thousand, for oak, basswood, &c, and from $35 to $45 for pine, which will be reduced to about $25 when the Dubuque and Pacific Railroad is completed within the county, which will be in the summer or fall of 1858. Fire wood is sold in Quasqueton, delivered, at per cord.

MILLS.

The county is well supplied with mills, both Saw and Flouring. At Fairbank there are two saw mills-one driven by water, and one by steam-and a flouring mill. On Otter Creek there is a good water saw mill. On the Wapsipinicon, at Littleton, there is a splendid water power, giving motion to two excellent saw mills. At Independence there is a saw and grist mill run by water, and a steam saw and lath mill. Some three or four miles below Independence, on the Wapsipinicon, there is a steam saw mill, lately erected, and running constantly. On Pine Creek there are two saw mills, with a good power. At Quasqueton there is one of the best and most easily improved water powers in the country. It is improved to the extent of two saw and two flouring mills ; there is also, at this point, a steam saw mill. At Spring Grove, on the Wapsipinicon, there is also a water saw mill, and likewise one at Brandon, on Bear Creek. These mills are in such situations as to readily accommodate every section of the county, and are mostly in constant requisition.

PRODUCTS.

Every variety of produce that can be grown anywhere in this latitude, comes to perfection here, and exhibits a size and quantity, even with imperfect cultivation, which cannot be equalled in the best portions of the Atlantic States. Wheat, corn, oats, barley, and all the cereals, yield largely; potatoes turnips, parsnips, onions, beets, and all esculent roots, grow to a very large size, and yet possess an excellent flavor; peas, beans, tomatoes, melons, &c , are raised in profusion. Clover and Timothy grow well-some specimens of the latter raised last year in this vicinity, exceeding five feet in height. The wild grass of the prairie, however, is very sweet and nutritious, and is eaten by all kinds of cattle with avidity.

But little grafted fruit has, up to this time, been raised in this region, but yet enough to demonstrate the practicability of its culture, A fine nursery exists in Delaware county, adjoining Buchanan, in which many trees bore excellent and well-matured fruit the past year. Natural fruit, such as plums, apples, and grapes, grow in great profusion, and grape culture, wherever tried, has been highly successful.

CLIMATE, &C.

The climate of Northern Iowa is generally mild and uniform, The present winter, which is the general average of those of this region, has been a most delightful one, devoid of either high winds or very low temperatures. There has been too little snow, perhaps, the greatest depth not having exceeded three inches. In winter the air is bracing and invigorating, and in summer the prairie winds, which are constant, modify the atmosphere, preventing humidity, and making field labor comfortable and pleasant, The country is uniformly healthy miasmatic influences being no greater than must be expected in every new country. The few forms of endemic disease which we have are of a harmless character, and readily curable. The present inhabitants are mostly from New England, New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio. and are an intelligent and progressive people. Schools are established in nearly all the districts, and churches and religious societies exist in every neighborhood. Iowa possesses a magnificent school fund, and it requires nothing but the adoption of a proper system, to give her people better and cheaper facilities for education than is possessed by those of any state in the Union.

MATERIALS.

Abundance of clay is found in almost every section of the county for the manufacture of brick and several yards were in active operation, some of them with improved machinery, during the past season. Building stone of excellent quality is everywhere found, and limestone, which, when burnt, possesses considerable hydraulic properties, is also easily attainable

RAILROADS

The artificial advantages of Buchanan county are no less important than her natural ones Lying within a short distance of the Mississippi, she has the advantage of proximity to local markets. In reaching those markets, and also those of the East, she will have the very material advantage of competing railroads, an undoubted guarantee of cheap freights and costs of travel for her citizens.

The Dubuque and Pacific Railroad passes directly through the centre of the county. east and west. This road will be finished to Manchester in Delaware county, 47 miles from Dubuque, by the 1st of June of this year. This will bring it within seventeen miles of Quasqueton and twenty-two of Independence. Considerable grading has been done within this county, and the road will be in operation to Independence by the fall of 1859. This road has been richly endowed by the state with a grant of land, and no probable contingency can prevent its rapid construction. It will, therefore, soon furnish the people of Buchanan county that great desideratum, a ready and cheap communication with their markets-enhancing the profits on everything they have to sell, and cheapening, materially, everything they have to buy.

The Wapsipinicon Valley Railroad passes diagonally through the county from southeast to northwest, crossing the Dubuque and Pacific road at Independence. This road commences at Anamosa, on the Iowa Central Air Line Railroad and runs northwesterly, up the rich valleys of the Wapsipinicon and the Cedar, passing directly through Quasqueton, Independence and Fairbank, in this county, connecting at the north line of the state with the Minneapolis and Cedar Valley Railroad, one of the land grant roads of Minnesota, and through that connection extending directly to St. Paul-giving the best possible southern and eastern outlet to all the land grant railroads of that State. The Wapsipinicon and St. Peter's Valley Railroad Company was organized one year ago, has made all the necessary surveys, maps, &c., of its route, and was only prevented from the further prosecution of the enterprise during the past year, by the financial revulsion. There is not the shadow of a doubt that the road will ultimately be built and that it will be prosecuted energetically as soon as circumstances will permit. It furnishes the shortest practicable route from St. Paul to St. Louis and Chicago, and being a feeder for one, and an outlet for another important road- both having an endowment of land sufficient to build them-will certainly be urged forward. From Independence to Chicago, by this route, it is 18 miles nearer than by way of Dubuque, and the competition of the two routes must enhance the interests of the people of this county. These roads, from their situation, will be of easy access from every section of the county. The extension of the Wapsipinicon Valley Road into the timbered regions of Minnesota, through its connections with the roads of that state, will materially cheapen the cost of all kinds of lumber, and forever insure a supply, while the extension of the Dubuque and Pacific westward into the great coal field of Iowa, will give us this great convenience for domestic and manufacturing purposes, at a cost almost nominal.

TOWNS.

Fairbank, in the northwestern section of the county, is situated on the east branch of the Wapsipinicon river, close to the line of Fayette county, and contains about 400 inhabitants. It is situated in the midst of a beautiful farming country, in close proximity to a large body of timber, and possesses a good water power, upon which there is an excellent saw mill and a flouring mill; there is, besides, a good steam saw mill in active operation. The town is supplied with a good hotel, a distillery, several stores blacksmith shops, churches. &c. It is the termination of the first division of the Wapsipinicon Valley Railroad, and will doubtless become a place of some importance.

Hazleton is situated in the northern portion of the county, and is located upon a high and beautiful prairie, but within a short distance of Greeley's Grove, a very fine body of timber. The town was commenced in the autumn of 1855 and now contains between one and two hundred inhabitants. The direct road from Dyersville to Waverly passes through the town, over which a daily line of stages ran during the past summer, and it has also a regular hack communication with Independence. The town contains a hotel, two or three stores, two blacksmith shops, a shoe shop, school-house, &c. It will be the centre of trade for a considerable extent of country, which is already largely peopled.

Littleton is situated upon the east side of the Wapsipinicon River, about nine miles northwest of Independence. It has one of the best water powers on the river, and it is well improved. The dam is a substantial and finished structure, and the two saw mills located here are of considerable capacity. One of the best stone quarries in the state is opened here. Its product is a magnesia limestone, of a very hard texture, but quarries in square masses, with surfaces so smooth as to require but little dressing, even for the finer uses. There is a good hotel at this place, two stores, several shops, and a capacious stone school-house. Its population is about 150 persons.

Independence, the county seat of Buchanan is situated a little west of the centre of the county, upon both sides of the Wapsipinicon river and is one of the most thriving places in north ern Iowa. It possesses a good mill privilege which is improved to the extent of a saw and flouring mill. The foundation of a large four storied stone flouring mill was laid last fall, and the superstructure will probably be completed the coming summer. There are, besides, one or two steam mills. The town contains about 1,500 inhabitants, and has a fine court-house, yet unfinished, three churches, and several schools. It is well supplied in all departments of business, having 8 general variety stores, 1 book and stationery store, 3 hardware stores, 1 dry goods and clothing store, 2 drug stores, 1 clothing store, 3 banks, 3 shoe shops, 1 millinery establishment, 2 jewelers, 1 harness shop, 1 bowling and 3 billiard saloons, 2 cabinet shops, 1 brewery, 1 bakery, 2 wagon shops, 2 blacksmith shops, 1 barber shop, 1 gunsmith, and 3 tailors. The town can boast of six hotels, three of which may justly be called first class, being large and well conducted establishments. The Dubuque and Pacific and Wapsipinicon Valley Railroads will cross each other at this place, and the former will probably reach there by the end of next year. It is the first important point en that road west of Dubuque, and will undoubtedly hereafter be the centre of a large trade, insuring it a prospective position of the first importance.

Quasqueton is situated upon both sides of the Wapsipinicon River, a little south of the centre of the county. It is the second place in size within the county, and contains about 1000 inhabitants. Its situation is certainly one of the handsomest in this section of the state. On the east side the ground rises gradually and almost imperceptibly from the river, sloping back to a high and beautiful prairie. On the west it rises a little more abruptly, but only enough so to enhance its beauty, and give a natural drainage. Trees are plentifully interspersed over the town, giving it a fine shady appearance. The river here becomes a stream of some volume and presents a view of much beauty. On the west side, the land is covered with a growth of fine old trees, and some ten acres, in the most beautiful part, has been reserved for a public park. For the purposes of ornament, nature certainly has been lavish in the distribution of her materials to this place.

Quasqueton is fortunate in the possession of one of the finest and most available water powers in this section of the state. The banks of the river, being of rock, and not susceptible of washing, makes its improvement easy and substantial. The water has about 9 feet fall, and the stream volume sufficient to furnish constant power for all the machinery that can be located upon it. It at present gives motion to two flouring mills and two good saw mills, which are required to be kept in operation, during a large part of the year, day and night.

On the north side of the town, and stretching away for miles. is a fine belt of timber. furnishing abundance of excellent lumber, in which article a large trade is done here. On the east, west, and south. there is one of the most beautiful and productive prairies in the State. It is, however, considerably settled up, this being the earliest settled portion of the county. This large and well settled extent of country is tributary to this place for milling privileges and purposes of trade, and a large amount of business has been done here, and with increased facilities could be largely increased. The town, however, is greatly in need of representatives in all departments of business, and we know of no place in this region that offers so good an opportunity for location to both merchant and manufacturer. The growth of the town has been almost entirely within the last three years, and it can boast the most handsome private residences in the county. Its churches, of which there are two, are good substantial buildings, and it has also the largest school-house in the county. A company has recently been organized for the purpose of erecting an Academy, and the building will probably be commenced the coming season. In the mean time a private academy, under the charge of excellent teachers, will be opened in May, so that the facilities for intellectual and moral instruction will not be inferior. A fine block of five large brick stores was nearly completed last season, and will soon be finished. Some thirty or forty dwelling-houses were also erected the past year, and notwithstanding the financial pressure there are present evidences of considerable progress the coming season.

The Wapsipinicon Valley Railroad will pass directly through the town, and the main office of the company is located here. The construction of this road, which we regard as absolutely certain, will furnish the only thing needed to make Quasqueton one of the most prosperous towns in Northern Iowa. With direct railroad communication with the best markets. with a water power that must make her a desirable point for manufactures, with a large and well peopled extent of country tributary to her, and with a location that must make her one of the prettiest towns in the state, there can be no doubt of her ultimate prosperity. We believe no better location can offer for a few energetic business men in most every department, nor, at the present prices of building lots, can a better investment be made in town property.

PRICES OF FARMING LANDS, &C.

There are no lands now unentered in this county, and the majority, fortunately, are held by resident owners. Excellent unimproved farming lands can be had at prices ranging from three to ten dollars per acre, according to location. Improved farms are held at from six to fifteen dollars, according to the amount of improvement.

The following exhibit of the assessment rolls, will show the progress of the county during the past five years. The total assessed value of Real Estate and Personal Property was

In 1853	$ 265,425
“1854	628,515
“1855	1,156,262
“1856	2,149,782
“1857	2,550,354