PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 129 



leaf. As the birdman sees it from the upper air so the color connoisseur 

 may enjoy the sight from this bit of terra firma. 



The view in every direction is limited only by the short range of human 

 vision. With a good glass one may overlook ten railroad stations and the 

 valley of Dime Creek to the northwest, west, south and southeast. This 

 river is skirted with native timber not yet entirely destroyed. 



With the Park area of Pilot Knob there are other mounds of less alti- 

 tude, and among these hills a small lake nestles so like a brooding bird 

 in its nest that many fail to find it. It has abrupt shores nearly the 

 whole distance around, and no outlets unless the water is very high. It 

 is bordered by a variety of native trees and shrubs where the shy vireo 

 builds her nest in peace and aquatic fowls frequent its waters to feed and 

 to breed in the tall grasses nearby. In its waters grow three species of 

 pond lilies, one of which I am told is found nowhere else in Iowa. The 

 lake is frequented by botanists in search of rare specimens of plants and 

 shells. With slight expense it could be dredged so that fish might be 

 planted. Dead Man's Lake is a gem in Nature's diadem, placed there 

 when the grinding in the mills of God ceased in these parts. 



Within the area that ought to be included in a park are all the native 

 trees and shrubs common in this region walnut, ash, basswood, wild 

 cherry, burr-oak, Jack-oak, red oak, and others. In addition to these 

 there is a nice grove of white oaks, found nowhere else in all this re- 

 gion so far as I know. 



The rare species of pond lily and the white oak grove, neither of 

 which is sacred in the possession of the average farmer, ought to appeal 

 to the nature-lover and to the Iowa lover, inducing them to act as guard- 

 ians of the future. Generations to come are the heirs of the wisdom or 

 unwisdom of our procedure. ^ 



This area of three or four quarter sections would be a good place 

 for a game preserve, and with slight improvement in the matter of roads 

 access to the interesting points could be arranged to accommodate tour- 

 ists and picknickers. Everyone who visits this region and views Pilot Knob 

 goes away feeling that it isn't necessary to cross the continent or ride 

 the ocean waves to see the handiwork of God and the triumphs of man 

 from the same spot at the same time. 



Indulge me for a further moment while I tell you in rhyme of some of 

 the impressions made on me during one of my early visits to 



PILOT KNOB. 



Speak, Pilot Knob, tell me thy tale, 



I would know more of thy story, 

 When didst thou erst the morning hail? 



Naked but grand in thy glory. 



Where in the north did God's great plows 



Loosen this pile, earth and boul.d.ers? 

 Out of what bed didst thou arouse? 



Brought to this spot on whose shoulders? 



