Rensselaer Republican, Volume 18, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1886 — AN ENTERPRISING CITY. [ARTICLE]

AN ENTERPRISING CITY.

The Metropolis'of Western lowa. Its Surroundings and Prospects. Wonderful Increase in Population and Bnsineu. , Sioux City, the motfopblis of Western lowa, which, on account of its rapid., growth, is at present attracting widespread attention, is situated on the Missouri River, about; 500 miies west of Chicago. Behind it are the fertile rolling prairies, 50,000 square miles in extent* whose great cornfields are the wonder ot the world, and whose rapidly growing population is as intelligent, energetic, and thrifty as any race of men the world ever produced. West and south, Nebraska stretches 400 miles away to the romantic valleys and foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Commencing within three miles of the city, the great and luxprinnt rolling prairies of Dakota, stretching hundreds of miles toward the Pacific Slope, are rapidly developing into a great empire of wealth and population that exceeds the wildest dreams of human speculation. Here, what was once supposed to be a great desert of sand, sage brush and,,bad lands is being made to “bloom and blossom as the rose,” the richest country that the sun shines on. Dakota’s 90,000,000 of acres are covered with luxuriant cornfields, inexhaustible pasturage, pine forests, ranges of rich mineral mountains, with a net-work of great rivers and railroads, immense wheat fields, great herds of cattle, and a population as wonderful in enterprise, thrift and intelligence as it is in rapid growth. Then to the north, less than 100 miles distant, lies Minnesota, whose wheat fields have long been the preeminent wheatTegions of the world. Besides being located on the Missouri River, where it first touches our western border, and is navigable for large-sized steamboats for a distance of 1,900 miles above, it is located near the mouth of two of its large tributaries. The Big Sioux, which forms about seventy miles of the western boundary of lowa, empties into the Missouri River about two miles above the city. It drains and waters 1,000 square miles of lowa territory, and its valleys are wonderfully rich and productive. Just below, and forming the eastern boundary of the city, the Floyd River empties into the Missouri. It is a small stream, but flows through a rich and beautiful valley. It is about 100 miles long and drains about 1,500 square miles of territory. There are many mills erected on its banks, and its waterpower is valuable. Perry Creek, which also drains a lovely territory, and whose valleys are filled with beautiful farms, flows through the city and empties into the Missouri.

Less than a generation ago the land upon which Sioux City is located, and the territory for hundreds- of miles north, south, east and west, lay in its primeval beauty, with no sign of civilization. Ths red man of the prairie was unmolested in his rich hunting grounds. The buffalo roamed at will over the beautiful natural lawns of vivid green, upon the rolling prairies, beautiful plateaus and lovely valleys. The rich carpet of nature made his home beautiful, and famished him with an easy, luxuriant living.' The solemn stillness was broken only by the war-whoop of the Indian, the lowing of the buffalo, and the hungry cry of The wolf. The population of Sioux Citv in 1876 was 6,000; in 1880, 7,308; in 1883, 14,000; in June, 1885, 19,074; in January, 1886, 23,382 —a gain of 4,308 from June, 1885, to January, 1886. Probably no city of its size in the country shows more activity in building operations than does this bright little Western metropolis at the present day. Buildings of all classes are being Greeted as fast as men and material can put them in shape, and the demand seems to exceed the supply. There are no vacant stores in the city, and owners of residence property have no difficulty in finding tenants as soon as houses are ready for occupancy, that are willing to pay good rents. Among the building improvements that are now under way are several large blocks of stores, a $200,000 hotel, several, factories and scores of residences varying in size and style, from the quiet little cottage to the’stately mansion.

The demand for carpenters, bricklayers, and other mechanics is much greater than_ the supply, and all find work at good wages as soon as they reach the city. It is reported that a number of contractors have been delayed upon their work quite seriously on account of the scarcity of good help. One reason for this scarcity is the demand made by outside towns for assistance. When mechanics of any kind are needed in the small towns (of which there are many) lying in the vicinity of Sioux City they send there forthem, and, as a consequence, every one that desires work can have it. A good mechanic has no reason to be idle there. Few. cities ofritosize in this or any other country can boast of better improvements, better manufactories, .larger wholesale houses,! or more energetic people. The city has a perfect police, fire, water, and sewerage system, under the magagement of competent directors and superintendents, and before another winter seta in-several miles of the best pavement that can be idj> vented *iwilf cover some of its most prominent thoroughfares. Several of the most important railroads in the West center there, and'more will soon seek admission to its limits. It is expected that a large Union Passenger Depot will be erected at this season for the accommodation of business of the Chicago and Northwestern, Sioux City and Pacific, Chicago, Mflwaukee~and St/ Paul, IlHndis Central, and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha Railroads, all ot which run trains to and from Sioux City daily at the present

An unrgpealed law of New Jersey, passed while the State was a British colony, reads as follows: “That all women of whatever age, rank, profession or decree, whether virgins, maids or widows, who shall after this act impose upon, seduce and betray into matrimony any of his Majesty’s subjects by virtue of scents, cosmetics, washes, Jainta, artificial teeth, false hair or higheeled shoes, shall incur the penalty of the law now in force against witchcraft and like misdemeanors.” - Dr. Campbell says that American teachers are preferred to English in his ■school for the blind. An English girl of sufficient refinement for the position is not' aecrtstomed to practical work. When the little blind child with a dirty-face enters the room the English teacher rings for the servant to wash the child's face, while the American girl of equal refinement would ■go for” the child with vigor. One of Dr. Campbell s pmpose- in tbis country ii to v ltain a kiudcigarten teacher.' A Philadelphia belledias been paralyzed by the use of cosmetics. '