DES MOINES TO OMAHA, 439 



the city, in bad condition, but the splendid country 

 through which I had passed since entering the State 

 was perhaps equal to anything ever trodden by the feet of 

 man. The surface of Western Iowa is very different 

 from that of the prairie region in the eastern part of 

 the State, being rougher and more hilly. The numer- 

 ous streams proceeding from springs bursting from the 

 hillsides, are clear and swift. Near the Missouri River, 

 high and precipitous mountain bluffs are ranged, and 

 the region contiguous is very hilly. The highest hills 

 are covered with verdure — grass and timber. The soil 

 generally is light and to appearance poor, but is loose 

 and sandy, and found to be easily cultivated. Creeks 

 and smaller streams of water occur frequently and 

 afford power for mills and machinery, and furnish 

 abundant supply for farming uses and stock. 



The first white settlement in Western Iowa was 

 made in the year 1847, by a company of Mormons or 

 Latter-Day Saints, who had been exiled from Illinois 

 in poverty and destitution. They passed through a 

 part of the country then only inhabited by savages. 

 They planted small colonies at places on the route, the 

 main body pushing on to the bluffs near the Missouri 

 River. A considerable number, unable to go farther, 

 remained hei'e, commenced clearing the land for farm- 

 ing, and two years later, in 1849, began the building 

 of a town on the site now occupied by the city of 

 Council Bluffs. Their new town they named Kanes- 

 ville after one of their leaders. Several stores were 

 built and opened, and the population was soon largely 

 increased by people who were not Mormons and had 

 no sympathy with them. The new settlers being 

 greatly in the majority, virtually drove out the 



