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GEOGRAPHY-DESCRIPTIVE AND PHYSICAL,

     DALLAS is one of the central counties of Iowa. It was named in honor of the Hon. George M. Dallas, of Pennsylvania, then Vice-president of the United States, and of distinguished revolutionary stock. It is situated in the fourth tier of counties, numbering from the southern boundary of the state, and is number five from the Missouri river, It is bounded on the north by Greene and Boone; on the south by Madison; on the east by Polk; and on the west by Guthrie county. It is about twenty-four miles square, containing an area of 576 square miles, or 368,640 acres of surface.

     It contains congressional townships Nos. 78, 79, 80 and 81north of ranges Nos. 26, 27, 28 and 29 west of the fifth principal meridian. These are divided into sixteen civil townships, each six miles square, whose boundaries correspond with those of the congressional, and are known by the following names: Des Moines, Beaver, Spring Valley, Dallas, Lincoln, Washington, Sugar Grove, Grant, Walnut, Adel, Colfax, Linn, Union, Adams, Van Meter and Boone. All of these townships are within the boundary of the middle and lower coal-measures of Iowa.

     Five of the above named townships, as will be easily recognized, took their names from presidents and vice-presidents, five from physical peculiarities of timber or water, and three from names of prominent citizens. Adel took its name from the county seat, Des Moines from the name of the river flowing through, and Union from the fact that the Middle and South Raccoon rivers unite within its borders.
The county was finally divided into these sixteen civil townships, with their respective boundary lines the same as those of the eight congressional townships as above described. The various townships, however, passed through numerous changes with regard to their respective boundary lines from the time of their first organization until the present, which changes are described more fully under the history of the respective townships. They were settled in their present form only a few years ago.

     Elevation.-The county lies high and dry, being situated partially on the east slope of the great "Water-shed" or dividing ridge between the waters of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. The elevation above the sea at four different points upon its surface, as given by the chief engineers of

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the two railroads passing through it are as follows: De Soto, 868 feet; Perry, 966 feet; Adel, 1074 feet; and Dexter, 1128 feet. An elevation a short distance southeast of Pilot Lake is said to be the highest ground in the county, exceeding any of the above mentioned measurements, and presenting a fine view of the surrounding county and general surface of the county.

     Surface.-The general surface of Dallas county is that of a beautiful, undulating Iowa prairie. It is slightly diversified in its general aspect, owing to the underlying coal-measure formation, yet it is quite symmetrical in its different parts. The greater portion is sufficiently level to afford the best of farming lands, and at the same time is rolling enough for good drainage.

     It is somewhat broken and bluffy in different localities along the rivers and running streams, especially in its southwestern portion in the vicinity of the South Raccoon river. From the divide between this stream and the North Raccoon river the general surface gradually rises until it passes the southern border of the county and shows a tract much more broken and hilly than that of the northern portion.

     In some places the prairie lands are also quite elevated, especially on the divides between the different rivers and streams, but these are never broken or rough enough to interfere in the least with agriculture. They gently descend with beautiful, productive bottom lands, and then gradually ascend again into fertile rolling prairies.

     With the exception of a portion of the southwest corner, the general surface of the county inclines gently from the northwest to the southeast, forming part of the east side of the "Great Water-shed ", and is crossed in that direction by numerous streams at convenient intervals, which are bordered by belts of valuable timber-lands, thus affording an abundance of wood and water. The inclination toward the southeast is sufficient to give these streams considerable fall, producing rapid currents, which have caused the larger ones to erode their beds in many places to a depth of from one hundred to two hundred feet below the general level of the uplands, and have produced flat sandy valleys of considerable width, which are bordered by declivities in many places quite abrupt. The northern portion is sufficiently rolling to be well drained, and affords some of the best of farming land.

     While west of the North Raccoon River, the surface in many localities descends in to broad shallow depressions corresponding with the basin that exists in the coal-measure strata in that section; and then on toward the northwest and south it rises again, more or less abruptly into high, rolling arable lands of a superior quality, while the strips of land lying between the South Raccoon River and the southern line affords some of the very best farming land in the county.

     The large tract lying east of the North Raccoon river, which comprises nearly one-half of the county, abounds in rich arable land, high and slightly rolling, yet it is sufficiently watered and drained by numerous small streams that flow through it and empty into the Raccoon and Des Moines rivers.

     The valleys along these streams are cut to a considerable depth into the deposits belonging to the middle coal-measure.

     In the extreme northeast corner of the county, the surface then dips down into the broad valley and timber bottoms of the Des Moines river,

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which passes diagonally across the corner, leaving only a very small strip of prairie land on the east side of that river within the county limits.

     Water and Drainage. - The county is well drained and admirably supplied with good water, so situated as to be easily accessible in the various localities and its natural drainage system could scarcely be more complete.

     It has four good rivers, viz: The Des Moines, and the North, Middle and South Raccoon rivers, besides numerous other minor streams of considerable importance flowing at convenient distances to accommodate the entire county. In fact every township in the entire county has at least one river or large creek flowing through it. Eleven of the townships have rivers, and many of them have several important streams passing through them, so that there are comparatively few sections of land in the county without running water in abundance for agricultural purposes.

     No better advertisement could well be given the county for stock-raising and farming purposes than the statement of the fact that with its fertile prairies and valuable timber belts, it is also well supplied with living water, and thoroughly drained, so as to readily and safely dispose of the greatest freshets during the rainy seasons.

     Des Moines River.-This river flows for a distance of about five miles through the northeastern corner of the county, intersecting the north line of Des Moines township a little east of the center, and flowing out through the east line of the same township a short distance south of the center, thus cutting off from that portion of the county a three-cornered piece containing about six sections of land, or 3840 acres.

     The average width of its channel within the county bounds is about thirty rods, and its average depth from three to four feet during low water, while at certain times of the year it rises to a mighty torrent. There are numerous shallows in the channel, which prevent the navigation of crafts of any size. It has a considerable decline to the southeast, with an average slope per mile of two feet four inches, by railroad level, through this section from Fort Dodge to Ottumwa, which makes its current rather swift. Its channel, for the most part, flows over a pebbly bed, which makes it easily fordable wherever the banks on either side will permit. Its banks are composed of alluvial deposits. Its bottom lands are from one-half to two miles wide in Dallas county, and are frequently overflown. These lands produce some valuable timber, such as walnut, sugar maple, and cottonwood, while on the higher bluffs are found some excellent oaks and hard woods of different kinds. Where there is no timber growing these bottoms are of wonderful fertility. The channel flows through the lower coal-measure strata, and the bluffy banks in section 14 afford three good coal mines, all in working order, and yielding a very good quality of coal. This river has its source in Minnesota, but enters Iowa before attaining any importance, and flows almost centrally through the State from northwest to southeast, emptying into the Mississippi at the extreme southeastern corner of the State, and thus passes through a large tract of the finest land in the State, watering and draining a greater area than any other stream within her borders, and is appropriately called "Iowa's finest river." Its only tributaries from this county are the Raccoon river and Beaver creek, both of which empty into the Des Moines after passing the eastern boundary of Dallas and entering Polk county.

     Raccoon River.-This river, doubtless, derives its name from the fact that formerly so many of these animals were found along its borders. The main

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body of this stream, from its forks in Van Meter township, in section 21, township 78, range 27, flows nearly in an easterly direction, and extends but a short distance before passing the east line of the county, about one mile and a half from the southeast corner, emptying into the Des Moines river in Polk county, southwest of the State Capitol.

     The length of its channel, within the boundaries of Dallas, is about ten miles, flowing through the southern part of Boone township and the southern part of the east half of Van Meter, supplying all that section with fine water and mill privileges, as well as with an abundance of good timber from the broad belt of heavy woodlands along its banks. During low water the average width and depth are not very great; but during freshets and rainy seasons it often swells to an immense size in order to carry off the drainage from a large scope of country lying northwest of it, through which its branches and their tributaries extend. This immense flood of drainage, flowing in so suddenly, frequently causes it to overflow its banks and flood the bottom lands along it to a great width. Its banks are of alluvial deposits, and its bottom lands, sometimes extending on either side to considerable distance, are either covered with a heavy growth of good timber, or afford the most productive farming lands.

     The channel, for the most part, flows over a pebbly, sandy bed, rendering it easily fordable in many places. Its fall is not so great, and its current not so rapid, as that of either of its branches, and therefore its good mill sites are not so numerous as theirs. According to railroad level, the average slope of its channel from the forks to its mouth, a distance of about twenty miles, is two feet eleven inches per mile. Nevertheless, within the ten miles length in Dallas county its course is interrupted by two mill dams, and its channel is crossed by three good bridges, one Howe truss railroad bridge at Booneville, built by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad Company in 1869, and two good wagon bridges--one an iron bride near Booneville, and the other is a wooden bridge at Van Meter.

     The only tributaries to the main body of this river, flowing into it from this county, aside from its branches, are Sugar, Johnson, and Walnut creeks, each flowing into it from the north. The first two of these empty into it within the bounds of Dallas county, and the other in Polk county. Above the forks the main branch is generally known as the North Raccoon river, and is so called by the citizens; while the South Branch is commonly considered as its tributary.

     North Raccoon.-This river, when considered as the main branch, is the most important stream in the county. It has its source away to the north above Storm Lake, in Buena Vista county, flowing in an easterly course for miles through the level open prairie as far down as Sac county where it gradually becomes skirted more and more with a belt of timber and bluff lands until it reaches the northwest corner of Dallas, and runs diagonally through the entire extent of the county, passing out at the southeast corner in the form of the main branch as above described, and thus bountifully supplying a large tract of the finest land through the central portion of the county with good water and timber and drainage facilities.

     In its meandering course, it flows through about fifty sections of land in Dallas, on almost anyone of which, it is estimated, could be obtained a head of six feet fall, thus affording mill sites and water power in abundance. These numerous natural privileges, however, have not been utilized very extensively, as it has only three mills on its banks above the forks. The

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supply of water in this river is constant and reliable, as it is furnished chiefly by living springs issuing from the gravel beds and bluffs along its banks. Its bed is composed mainly of sand and coarse gravel resting upon an almost impenetrable hard-pan of blue clay, which renders it free from dangerous and offensive mire holes and easily bridged or forded. This stream is spanned, above the forks, with one iron and five frame wagon bridges, and it is expected that the new railroad bridge at Adel will soon be added to the number.

     Its channel within the boundaries of the county above the forks, for a stream of so great length, is neither very wide nor very deep during low water, as it abounds in shallows; out during the wet seasons and spring freshets it rises very high in a short time, often overflowing its banks and flooding its entire bottom. From Jefferson to its forks, it has an average slope of four feet per mile, which causes its current to run very swiftly, and produces many valuable water powers. Its banks in most places are high and are chiefly composed of alluvial deposits, while along nearly its entire length through the county this stream is skirted with a belt of heavy timber, which varies in width very greatly in different localities. Its valley, through this region, is excavated out of the heavy surface deposits and middle coal-measure through which its channel flows. In some places the valley reaches a depth of 175 feet below the level of the uplands, and in many places extends out from the river on either side in capacious bottom basins, surrounded by a chain of bluffs which roll back into high beautiful prairie, or gradually descend again into broad fertile valleys. These bottom basins along the river afford some of the most productive lands and valuable farms in the county. The principal affluents to this river above the forks within the county lines, are Hickory and Frog creeks, and Miller and Butler branches.

     South Raccoon.-This stream rises to the northwest, near the west line of Guthrie county, and enters Dallas about four miles from the southwest corner, then meanders through the south part of the county in an easterly direction until it unites with the north fork and main branch in section (21) twenty-one, township (78) seventy-eight, range (27) twenty-seven, in what is now known as Van Meter township. It flows- through a very fine agricultural region, perhaps the finest in the county, the deep black soil of the valleys and bottom lands being of a most productive character. The river has a gravelly, solid bed, and its banks are composed of alluvial deposits. Its channel is not quite so wide or so deep as that of the North Raccoon, but its fall is even greater, its current much swifter and its mill privileges more abundant.

     It is generally conceded that it affords some of the very best mill sites and water privileges' in the State; still comparatively few of these have thus far been utilized.

     The supply of water in this stream is also constant and reliable, being fed, principally, by numerous and unfailing springs issuing from the bluffy banks and gravel beds all along its borders.

     On every mile in length of its channel it would be easy to secure a head of from six to eight feet of water power. During low water its channel abounds in shallows, and its average depth is not very great; but when the freshets and rainy seasons come, it rises very rapidly on account of the large amount of drainage poured into it from the surrounding hills and ravines, and numerous affluents on either side. These frequently cause it to

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fill its banks in a few hours time and very soon to overflow them, flooding the bottom lands in great tracts on either side. Then it as quickly falls again to its natural size, but never runs too low for effective and valuable water power in constant supply.

     During each year its channel carries off an immense quantity of drainage from its surrounding country. This, with the constant wearing of its rapid current, has caused it to erode its bed in many places to an unusual depth, and has made for it a broad, fertile valley, extending out here and there in large basin bottoms.

     This stream is also skirted with a belt of valuable timber, varying greatly in width in the different localities, and in some places it is bordered with high bluff lands which afford some of the finest timber, as well as picturesque and attractive scenery.

     It has four good grist mills and one woolen mill on its banks, and is spanned by two iron and one frame bridge, which number is soon to be increased by another iron bridge.

     The tributaries to the South Raccoon are the Middle Raccoon river, the Panther, Bear, Bulger and Cottonwood creeks, being the principal ones within the county limits.

     Middle Raccoon.-This river has its source in Carroll county, and enters the west side of Dallas, a little less than a mile north of the southwest corner of Linn township, in section 31, township 79, range 29, flowing then in a winding course southeast until it empties as the chief tributary into the South Raccoon in section 9, township 78, range 29, in what is known as Union township, near the village site of Wiscotta. It flows through a fine region of country, but only for a short distance within the boundaries of this county. It is in its general characteristics and surroundings very much like the other branches of the same great river and affords some excellent mill privileges and water powers, of which but a few have yet been utilized.

     Its current is very rapid, its bed sandy, its channel narrow, and its bottom lands are productive and valuable. It is bordered with a belt of good timber, and is quite bluffy in many places along its banks. It is spanned by only one bridge within the county bounds, which is situated at Redfield; while it has three good grist mills --one at Redfield, and the other two near the west line of Linn township, Its main affluent, within the county, is Mosquito creek, which empties into it from the north about midway in its course within the county.

     Creeks are to be found in plentiful supply in Dallas, as may be inferred from the above description of different rivers and their tributaries. These are well distributed throughout the different parts of the county, affording plenty of water and drainage ill the various localities where the rivers do not extend.

     The names of such as are of any special note in the county are Mosquito, Panther, Bear, Beaver, Walnut, Sugar, Johnson, Hickory, Frog, Bulger, Cottonwood and Slough creeks, and Miller and Butler branches. A few of these deserve especial notice.

     Mosquito Creek has its source in a little lake, or pond, in the north part of Guthrie county, and runs southeast in a winding course entering Dallas at the northwest comer of Lincoln township, and passing on down through that and Linn townships, it empties into the Middle Raccoon river a little above Redfield.

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     In its course it passes through an agricultural region of great, fertility. Through Linn township it is skirted with a belt of good timber, which consists principally of soft maple, elm, and swamp ash in abundance. It did afford a good many white ash, but these have mostly been cut off by the first settlers. It is also wel1 supplied with fish of the smaller varieties, and affords a number of coal mines. It has several frame wagon bridges, one just above the mouth, and affords some good mill sites.

     At a very early day a company of hunters finding occasion to camp over night near the banks of this creek, were so completely beseiged with mosquitoes during the night, both they and their horses, that they then and there christened the stream Mosquito creek, and ever since it has been caned and known by that name.

     Panther Creek rises in the northwestern part of Dallas county, its beginning being the outlet for Pilot lake, in Lincoln. township, before that lake was drained, and then winds in a southeasterly course through Colfax, into Adams township, and empties into the South Raccoon river near the iron bridge. This creek runs all the way through a fine prairie country, except a few miles in the last of its course, where it becomes somewhat heavily timbered, and affords water and drainage facilities for a large tract of country. It is said that, at an early day, a company of hunters killed a large panther at some point along this stream, and thus it was afterward referred to as "the panther". And viewing it from the high lands on either side it seems to creep along slyly in its winding course, down its valley through the prairie grass and bushes, not unlike the trail of a stealthy panther after his prey.

     In the spring of 1846, soon after their arrival in Dallas county, John Wright and his brother-in-law, Greenbury Coffin, were out on a hunt in the vicinity of this stream, and were strolling through the tall grass and underbrush, when suddenly they came upon a large panther, which at once showed fight and manifested no disposition in the least to retreat.

     The only hope for the hunters in this critical situation, was to bravely and cautiously meet the wild beast on her own ground, and either prove themselves masters of the situation, or be torn to pieces and devoured, as they were already too close upon her when discovered to have any chance to retreat. Wright, however, was a fearless frontier hunter, and not easily thrown off his guard.

     The instance of danger at once revealed to him the mode of escape. Quick as thought he drew a "bead" on her eye, sent a hul1et whizzing through her brain, and the next instant the savage beast lay dead in her tracks. '1'0 the caution of Coffin, to "be careful" while taking his aim, Wright cooly responded when the panther fell dead, "I am always sure of my aim when necessary."

     From this romantic incident in frontier life the stream derived the name of Panther creek.

     Bear Creek rises in the southwest corner of the county, and flows northeast through some of the richest and most productive farming land in the county, until it empties into the same river from the south, about a mile west of the mouth of Panther creek. The Bear and the Bulger creeks are the only streams of any importance in that part of the county south of the Raccoon river; but they water a magnificent region, and drain a very fertile soil.

     Beaver Creek rises among the ponds and swamp lands in the northwest

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part of Boone county, and crosses the north line of Dallas about two miles west of the middle in Spring Valley township, a little northeast of the town of Perry.

     It flows then in a tortuous course to the southeast, across the northeast corner of the county, and passes out of Dallas about the middle of the east line of Grant township, emptying into the Des Moines river in Polk county. This creek, during most of its course through Dallas, runs through open rolling prairie with occasional belts of light scrubby timber and brush land skirting it here and there. It has two affluents of some size within the county boundaries. The Little Beaver creek flows into it from the north, and Slough creek from the south, each emptying into it in Beaver township, about two miles apart.

     These two streams, flowing into it from opposite directions, show that it runs through a broad, fertile valley, draining a large acreage of very fine country.

     Lakes.--The northwest part of Dallas county also affords a number of small lakes and large ponds, but not enough of them to render the land around sour and unproductive, as is the case in so many localities further north. These bodies of water lie out in the midst of a broad, high prairie, scattered here and there as so many convenient little basins, holding sufficient water, during the- greater part of the year, to accommodate the thirsty herds from prairie range, or pasture fields, that come to slack their thirst from the refreshing contents. Many of these, then, are both useful and ornamental, and serve the purpose for which they were placed there, while the land around them is generally both fertile and valuable. Some of these become dry during the warm summer months, but others contain a sufficient quantity of water during the entire year; to afford a good many fish.

     The water in these lakes and ponds is supplied from the rain-falls and drainage from the surrounding country; and the bottoms of their basins are underlaid with this impenetrable hard-pan which does not allow the contents to soak away, and the pure atmosphere of the prairies keeps the water, thus confined, from becoming stagnant. In the eastern part of the county, in some places, these ponds are rather too thick for convenience or comfort, and are surrounded with too much low land to be profitable, which tend to depreciate the attraction and value of the land in those localities for farming purposes. Two of these lakes are worthy of special notice.

     Pilot Lake was formerly the largest and most important of these bodies of water in the county until a few years ago it was drained out entirely. The principal part of its basin is situated about the middle of the north half of section (10) ten, with a small portion, perhaps about ten acres, reaching north upon section (3) three, township (80) eighty, range (29) twenty-nine, now known as Lincoln township. The entire basin covers an area of about one hundred acres, swamp land and all included, and sometimes the water rose in it so as to cover nearly this entire surface; but in its average state, before being drained, its water surface covered about eighty acres, while its depth averaged from five to eight feet. It also contained a good many fish of different kinds, and was a great harbor for wild game, as also a favorite resort for hunters.

     The water in it was furnished entirely by the rain-fans and surface drainage, and its bottom was underlaid with that white clay hard-pan which held securely whatever of water fell or ran into it until an outlet was furnished throngh its banks.

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     Until a few years ago it was an ornamental and attractive little lake, when Mr. E. M. Jones, the present owner of the lake-basin and lands adjoining, in July, 1876, cut a drain from a low point on the east side, across in an easterly course to the Panther creek, a distance of about three-quarters of a mile, which soon carried off all the water and left the basin as dry as the surrounding prairie; so that now it is necessary to dig from three to five feet below the surface in order to secure water. No indications of springs have been discovered in the bottom or around its banks. Mr. Jones feels confident that in a few years, when he has succeeded in draining it a little more thoroughly, so that the rain falls and surface floods can be carried off more rapidly, and the surface becomes moulded and purified by the atmosphere, he will have, in this lake-basin, a tract of the most productive and valuable land in all that vicinity, with comparatively little extra work or expense.

     Since it was thus drained a great many bones of buffalo skeletons have been found strewn over the bottom of the basin in various places. It is supposed that the hunted animals, having given out, or been wounded in chase, had rushed into the lake for water, or perhaps to take refuge from the closely pursuing wolves, or dogs and hunters, and that, being unable from exhaustion to rejoin their herds, they have died there and become buried in the waters. Dr. Akin, of Minburn, Sugar Grove township, has now the skeleton of a buffalo's head found on the bottom of this lake basin after its drainage, and treasures it as a choice relic of buffalo barbarism.

     The lake, and adjoining land on the west and south sides, were formerly owned by William Clarke, who built a small frame two story house, about 16x24 feet, on its western shore, and in this kept hotel on the old stage line passing through that place, some thirteen or fourteen years ago. In that small house, we are informed, he has accommodated in those days of frontier life, as high as forty guests at one time with meals and lodging, Mr. Clarke finally disposed of this property, and it afterward came into the possession of the present owner, Mr. E. M. Jones, a well informed and courteous gentleman, to whom we are indebted for liberal hospitality and valuable information regarding this vicinity.

     Swan Lake is situated on sections (27) twenty-seven and (28) twenty-eight, township (81) eighty-one, range (29) twenty-nine, now known as Dallas township, and is also an attractive little body of water. It covers about one-half section of ground, considering all the low lands included within the rim of its basin, and in the center of this low tract there is an area of about eighty acres of water surface, which constitutes the lake proper. In depth it will average nearly five feet of good clear water. The shallower portions in some places are grown up with large rushes, but the greater portion of it presents an open surface, and is altogether a beautiful little body of water. It has an outlet into the Elm slough, and thence into North Raccoon river in the northwest corner of the county. The lake lies out in the midst of a level prairie, with no timber near it, and is surrounded by a fine tract of country. It affords a good supply of fish, principally large, black bass and sun, or pumpkin-seed fish, and is a favorite resort for wild ducks and geese, as well as for hunters from various parts of the country, who come sometimes great distances to enjoy the choice sports of gaming and fishing which it affords. If it were drained like Pilot Lake

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has been it doubtless would afford a similar display of buffalo bones and skeletons strewn over the bottom of its basin.

     Sloughs.-This county, very fortunately, has comparatively few of those unapproachable sloughs and tracts of swamp lands so often found on extensive prairies. The sloughs throughout the county are generally a good distance apart, leaving a broad strip of well drained farming land on either side. They are mostly broad and level, with sufficient fall to carry off the drainage and prevent water from standing in them very long, while their channels do not wash deep narrow drains in the center as is the case in many other places. The greater portion of the slough lands in Dallas county could be easily drained and made tillable. They would then become some of the most productive farming lands in the county, and would still answer the same purpose of drainage for which they are now prized, at the same time producing abundant yields of hay or other products.

     In some places they spread out in the shape of broad, level bottom lands, gradually widening and sloping down toward the valleys of the neighboring rivers or other running streams. The soil of these slough lands is somewhat sandy, but is fertile and easily tilled when once drained and broken.

     Well Water.-In most localities throughout the county good well water is easily obtained, at a moderate depth below the surface, in great abundance. Even on the high lands good wells are secured at a depth of from twelve to twenty feet, which furnish an almost unfailing supply of clear, cold lime water, Less frequently it becomes necessary to dig thirty and forty feet, and occasionally deeper before meeting with the same results, accordingly as the well-digger is fortunate in starting in the right place to strike a good vein. Here, as in other localities, of course, these water veins underground vary greatly in depth, and sometimes only a few rods from a good ten fifteen or twenty feet deep, it may become necessary to dig twice or three times the distance in order to find plenty of water again, and vice versa, so that it is difficult to give an average of depth. But in this county, as a general thing, plenty of good well water is more easily obtained than in most places throughout the State, and though sometimes it is necessary to go down to quite a depth, the excellent quality of water secured well repays the digging.

     Springs.-Dallas county is fortunately favored with springs. In fact nearly all the rivers and running streams within the county bounds seem to be fed principally by living springs issuing out of the bluffs, and ravines, and gravel beds all along their banks. They are so numerous and close together in many places along the rivers as to present the appearance of one continuous sheet of water running down the side of the bank into the channel, as if pressed out from a spongy spring-bed beneath by the immense weight of earth above. At other places they appear springing up and gushing out near the water's edge, or back in the ravines, sometimes at great distances from the river, and even well up on the sides of the bluffs fine springs are often seen boiling out and rippling down in crystal streams of clear cold water, and hurrying on to pay their tribute to the rivers.

     Thus there is no scarcity of good spring and well water in Dallas county, which is generally easily obtained, excellent in quality and unfailing in quantity. The county also, affords some springs whose water possesses mineral qualities worthy of note.

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     Salt Spring.-Near the head of a ravine in the southwest corner of the county, in Union township, there is a spring the water of which is strongly impregnated with salt. Around it is a level surface of about an acre, which it is supposed was; worn down in this form by the continual tramping of deer and buffalo and other animals that had gathered around it to secure the salt element contained in the water.

     Roads and paths leading into it from different directions are yet easily traced as the marks of approaches of wild animals to it in early times.

     It is located near Lemuel Maulsby's, about section 18, and is quite a large spring.

     During wet seasons a stream of considerable size issues from it; sufficient to turn an overshot wheel of considerable dimensions.

     The deposits found by it are of a saline character, and the water is quite brackish; but no perceptible salt taste to it.

     The water of this spring has never yet been utilized for any special purposes, though there is evidently quite a salt element contained in it.

     Sulphur Spring.--In Union township, a little more than a mile east of Wiscotta, on section 2, there is a spring that is strongly tinctured with sulphur.

     It covers an area of several rods square, including the boggy land around it; and the stream of water issuing from it constantly and flowing into the South Raccoon river a few rods below, is some two or three feet in width, sufficient to turn a good sized overshot wheel.

     It is doubtless a valuable spring for medicinal purposes, and is considered by various physicians to contain better medicinal properties than many other such springs of considerable notoriety in the country, But its waters have never yet been utilized for such purposes, nor have its medicinal properties ever been thoroughly tested by anyone so as to learn the real value.

     There are also numerous small springs around it of similar character; and still further east of it, important springs occur more or less frequently on either side of the river during its entire course in the county.

     Timber.-Dallas county is also fortunately favored with timber, well distributed and conveniently located to the prairie and farming lands, so as to be easily accessible from almost any locality within its boundaries.

     All the rivers during their entire length within the county are bordered with belts of timber. Many of their tributaries are also skirted with woodlands along the greater part of their course.

     Beautiful groves are dotted here and there, some of them occupying quite elevated positions, and others bordering on the low lands, which tend to relieve the monotony and dreary aspect so prevalent on our broad, bleak western prairies.

     There are a great many varieties of timber found, such as oak, hickory, sycamore, walnut, hackberry, linn, elm, sugar maple, soft maple, cottonwood, swamp ash, and in some localities white ash, etc. Along the river bottoms and low lands it chiefly abounds in the soft woods with a moderate per cent of hard wood trees occurring among them more or less frequently in different localities, while along the higher banks and bluff lands are found the more valuable hard woods suitable for fencing and building purposes.

     The heaviest and finest timber in the county is found, perhaps, at the junction of the North and South Raccoon rivers and around in that vicinity throughout the center of Van Meter township. In many places the

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best hard woods of the old growth of timber have been pretty well culled out, and in others quite thoroughly cleared off, leaving a plentiful supply of the less valuable soft woods. But the second growth is rapidly increasing, and is furnishing, as an average, a better quality of timber than that which preceded, and it is estimated that the increase in growth will exceed the annual waste and consumption for all purposes; so that there need be no fear of the citizens suffering from want of fuel, and fencing, and shelter, especially since coal and lumber are becoming so plentiful and cheap, found almost at their very doors; and since about one-tenth of the entire county consists of good timber lands to be had at reasonable prices.

     Even those who were born and raised in a timber country, and who have spent their prime of life in the woods can find here a timber home quite congenial to their nature, and also joining this they can secure, for as large a family as they choose to raise, a fertile tract of farming land, all grubbed and cleared and ready for the plow, which, with a moderate amount of labor and judicious management, will furnish a comfortable home and liberal income as the reward of faithful industry and prudence.

     Along the South Raccoon river east from Wiscotta, and in Adams township, around and in the vicinity of the mouth of Bear and Panther creeks, is a large body of heavy, valuable timber; and on the North Raccoon river, near the Union of Miller and Butler branches with that stream, there is a broad belt of fine timber land.

     In these days, however, timber is not prized so highly as it was a few years ago, since railroad facilities and' coal mines have rendered fuel, and fencing, and building material so plentiful and cheap; and as a consequence the price is considerably reduced, and the opportunities for purchasing increased. The average value of good timber land in the county is about twenty dollars per acre, and a fair quality can be purchased for even less.

     Prairie is the prevailing characteristic of the county. It is abundant in quantity and mostly all excellent in quality.

     In so large a tract there must always be some that is of an inferior quality. However, there is a comparatively small per cent of poor prairie land in this county, and among so much that is good it is a difficult task to designate that which is best. On nearly all the divides between the rivers and running streams are found large tracts of beautiful, rolling prairie lands well drained, easily cultivated, highly productive and conveniently located to water and timber, and mills and markets.

     Perhaps some of the choicest farming land in the county is found between the Raccoon river and the southern border of the county. Some portions of that, however, are rather broken and hilly. While north of that stream and all to the west of the North Raccoon river on either side of Panther and Mosquito creeks, up to the north line of the county, there is a large tract of as fine productive prairie land as could reasonably be desired. Some portions of this are quite elevated and rolling, but never enough so to interfere materially with easy cultivation and improvement, while it possesses some broad, beautiful valleys and low lands of excellent quality. Nearly all the prairie on the east side of the North Raccoon is pretty much of the same character, only perhaps a little more elevated, and not so rolling as an average.

     The tract contained between the North Raccoon river and Beaver creek is the largest body of prairie, unbroken by any running stream of much size in the county. It lies high and dry-except in some localities where

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the ponds are a little too thick-enough rolling generally for good drainage and a very productive soil.

     Along the Beaver creek and Des Moines river there is some excellent valley land, and in many places throughout the northern and northwestern part of the county are still fine tracts of prairie unimproved, affording favorable opportunities for those wishing to procure desirable farms in a good county with productive soil.

     The Climate is wholesome, invigorating and pleasant for this latitude, both winter and summer. The winters are generally long, with rather an even temperature, sometimes changing quite suddenly from cold to warm and back again to extremely cold weather within a few days. But these sudden changes are the exception rather than the general rule, so the citizens soon become accustomed to them, and consider it not half a winter without them. This region is subject to an average and occasionally a heavy fall of snow during the winter season, which is usually accompanied by sharp, healthful frosts. But as a general thing the mercury remains above zero, seldom reaching more than twelve or fifteen degrees below, and very rarely falling to twenty and twenty-five degrees below zero.

     Strong, sharp, chilling winds sweep over the broad prairies and down the valleys during the winter and early spring months, but these become modified to gentle, bracing, welcome breezes during the later spring, summer, autumn, and early fall months; and within the past few years the winters have become greatly modified from the reputed coldness of earlier days to the milder temperature of a more southern clime, so that many of the older settlers having become accustomed to exposure in driving storms and blustery weather during the hardships of frontier life, rather incline to look upon these open, mild winters as intruders, coming out of season and out of place, and they begin to "long for the good old days of yore," when neighbors must become congenial and accommodating in order to keep from freezing or starving to death, and when storm-staid strangers will be made welcome guests at the fireside.

     The later spring, summer and autumn months are generally delightful and salubrious.

     The prairie winds, which become mild and almost constant, are fresh and bracing, regulating the temperature and purifying the atmosphere.

     During the months of July and August they sometimes seem rather mild and motionless, allowing the sun's rays to beam down unhindered for awhile, and to occupy the field with almost undisputed sway, thus producing a few days of hot, sweltering harvest weather, which cause the citizens to place something of a proper estimate on the value and usefulness of the county's beautiful shade trees and excellent water. Then these few sultry summer days are soon followed by a glorious "Indian summer" of balmy autumn days, which are aptly fitted to brighten the pathway and "cheer the heart of man." The county has rain and wet weather enough to water the crops and produce a healthy growth of vegetation. But thus far, very fortunately, it has been out of the track of any seriously damaging storms or destructive tornadoes. According to the climatological chart, the county has an average rainfall of 38 inches, but this seems to be a little exaggerated.

     Health in Dallas county is generally good, and the citizens are usually robust and healthy.

     Ague is now becoming quite rare, and the county is comparatively free

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from any climatical diseases peculiar to its limits. There have been some cases of sickness this fall from malarial diseases in some localities, a number of which have proven fatal. Here, as in all other places, people will sicken and die occasionally, and no one particular climate or locality seems to be fully adapted to all persons.

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