PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 21 



Keosauqua, Iowa, July 12, 1919. 



Members present same as at the meeting at Keosauqua this 

 date. The members having been conducted to and about the 

 area locally known as the "Ely's Branch Country" by Messrs. 

 H. E. Blackledge, Emory Ploughman, Arthur J. Secor, J. A. 

 Brown and Sgt. H. E. Rees, and finding the said area a large un- 

 interrupted expanse of native shrubs and trees, the ground deeply 

 broken and otherwise well suited to the preservation of wild birds, 

 animals and plants, and the same being accessible on all sides by 

 a well traveled highway from which by-roads lead toward the 

 center north margin, an ancient ford across the Des Moines 

 river, and said lands being bounded for an extent of something, 

 like a mile on the north side by the Des Moines river and extend- 

 ing back from the river a distance of from one ,to three miles 

 formerly of the character above described, and the members hav- 

 ing observed an unusual number of quail and having observed 

 upon a prior trip in February of the present year four different 

 , ruffed grouse, and the Board having learned that the hills and 

 river bank above stated now and for many years have been re- 

 sorted to by people residing from nearby to a distance of 20 

 miles as a place of recreation, and the Board having been assured 

 by the above named gentlemen that at least 600 acres of said 

 lands could be procured at an average cost of not exceeding 

 $40.00 per acre upon which purchase price they and other citizens 

 would be willing to contribute a sum of not less than $6,400, if 

 the state would take the same, administer and conduct it as a 

 game reserve and recreation ground. 



In the course of the state's policy of providing and maintaining 

 its system of state parks, and the Board considering the above 

 described area and the proposition made concerning the same to 

 be respectively advantageous, considers that the same should be 

 accepted and do hereby recommend that the Executive Council 

 do accept, acquire and improve said grounds in accordance with 

 the terms of the offer made. 



Adjourned. 



Davenport, Iowa, July 19, 1919. 



Present: Dr. L. H. Pammel, President; E. H. Harlan, Secre- 

 tary; Joseph Kelso, member. 



The Board met in session at the office of Cook & Balluff, and 

 held conference with Miss Emma C. Brandt and Miss Clara L. 



