22 PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 



Brandt, who are the owners of the farm lands in Muscatine 

 County, known as "Wild Cat Den" embracing some fifty-five 

 acres, and a great part of a more extended area of high value for 

 State Park purposes, because of its scenic, scientific and historic 

 characteristics. The following was adopted : 



Whereas, the Misses Brandt propose as follows: To deed to the State 

 of Iowa by appropriate deeds, the tract of land above referred to, but not 

 herein specifically described, with the understanding that the same shall 

 be a part of a State Park, under the control and supervision of the State 

 Board of Conservation, upon the following conditions: 



1. That the State Board of Conservation shall proceed within two 

 years, to acquire either by purchase or gift, at least seventeen acres from 

 one Welsh and twenty acres from one Fitchner, and from the owners 

 thereof, the land lying between the southerly line of the property now 

 owned by the Misses Brandt to the Mississippi River, and along Pine 

 Creek, and extending westwardly to the highway, and eastwardly to a suf- 

 ficient distance from said Creek, so as to include suitable grounds on the 

 east side. 



2. That the land agreed to be donated shall always be used for a State 

 Park and shall never be used for any commercial purposes. 



3. That the native plants found on the land shall be preserved, and 

 that the forests on the land shall be kept intact except where it shall 

 be necessary to give place to roads and paths, and that in case of de- 

 struction or removal of any of the trees they shall be replaced by native 

 species. 



4. That the 'State Board of Conservation shall assume all responsi- 

 bility for the proper care and protection of the land as soon as the land 

 is delivered over to the State Board of Conservation, and that the neces- 

 sary warden or keeper shall be provided. 



5. That the donors of said land reserve the right of use and occupa- 

 tion of the buildings and surrounding land sufficient to provide a suitable 

 yard and space for the necessary outbuildings, not exceeding seven acres 

 and to be definitely designated and marked by appropriate monuments or 

 fence. That this reservation shall be one of full ownership, except that 

 the donors shall not sell, trade, or exchange the land or building, but upon 

 voluntary relinquishment, and upon the death of the survivor of the two 

 donors, the land and buildings shall automatically revert to the State, 

 and become a part of the State Park. 



6. That the State Board of Conservation, upon taking over the land as 

 described, shall begin making arrangements at the earliest convenience, 

 to make the necessary immediate improvements, entrances and exits, so 

 that the State Park shall be open to the general public within two years 

 from the date of the delivery of the deeds. 



7. That if, at the end of two years from the date of this offer, the 

 State has failed to begin the necessary improvements, and have not 

 opened the park to the puiblic, or have not taken care of same, that this 

 deed shall then be null and void. 



