158 PUBLIC PARKS OF IOWA 



areas, 50 acres along the smaller streams in tlie hills, which would give 

 persons who now use the highway, opportunity to spend a few restful 

 hours in the shade of these trees. In many cases persons are warned not. 

 to trespass or picnic on these grounds. Where can the boy or girl go to 

 have a good time in the country? There is a tract of land south of Red 

 Oak in the Nyman region of about 160 acres accessible to the people of 

 Shenandoah, Red Oak and Clarinda, which, according to Dr. Morris and 

 Mr. Hayes, would make an ideal place for a state park, because easily 

 accessible to the people of these places. This was not viewed by us. A 

 man's or woman's reminiscence ever goes back to the days of childhood. 

 These are among our priceless memories. 



It seems to me that for regions like Montgomery county and regions 

 like it in southwestern Iowa, the proper thing to do is to acquire smaller 

 areas along highways. That we should have a number of such parks 

 well distributed in southwestern Iowa in addition to the larger area in 

 Fremont and Mills counties. 



DES MOINES RIVER BLUFFS NEAR LEIGHTON. 

 By Lacey F. Rickey. 



Prof. Pammel asked me a few days ago to contribute an article on the 

 Des Moines river bluffs near the old town of Bellefontaine. I expected 

 at the time to be able to get a little more information concerning this 

 beauty spot, but for lack of time, I will have to write simply a short 

 sketch from the knowledge of these bluffs that I now possess. 



These bluffs rise to a height of proba'bly 'two hundred feet, having in 

 places a sheer drop of one hundred feet or more. It is by far the most 

 picturesque spot in this section of the state. The slopes are covered with 

 a dense growth of all kinds of native trees while numerous varieties of 

 wild flowers grow in their shade. In the autumn, when nature changes 

 the somber green foliage of the trees to a riot of reds and yellows, it is 

 truly an enchanting place, and presents a picture which is not soon for- 

 gotten. 



There is a small cave here, which so far as I can find, has never been 

 thoroughly investigated. It is supposed, by those living in the neighbor- 

 hood to be the haunt of various kinds of animals. Rattlesnakes are fre- 

 quently found among the rocks, and probably other fauna, practically ex- 

 tinct over the greater part of Iowa, still make their home here. 



The boyhood home of the late Major John F. Lacey adjoined the bluffs, 

 and it was from this home that he went to take part in the great Civil 

 War. Probably a great part of his never-tiring love of nature and of the 

 birds especially, sprung from his association with them here at the bluffs. 



In the early days the bluffs were a meeting place for the surrounding 

 country for miles and miles. Political meetings, revivals, and celebra- 

 tions of various kind were held here. As the towns grew, the meeting 

 places naturally went to them, and the bluffs were again left in charge of 

 Mother Nature. 



