WE herewith present to our subscribers and the public generally, the complete ATLAS OF JASPER COUNTY.

The work is the result of a task of nearly eighteen months of hard labor. The desire to furnish a publication worthy of the approval and patronage of the public has prompted us from the outset. The citizens of Jasper County have fulfilled our expectations by their liberal subscriptions, and it is now our only hope that our labors may receive the approbation which we naturally think they merit.

After commencing such work, where there is so much uncertainty, it is gratifying to receive the practical endorsement of nearly all the leading business men and influential citizens of the County, as this work has.

Beyond any question, the Atlas of Jasper County for the territory of which it is descriptive, is the most complete volume ever published. The services of an average of six men for eighteen months, have been required for its production. The immense labor, often almost bordering upon drudgery, which is involved in the preparation and search of data, besides the care, and worry, and expense, can only be comprehended by those experienced in similar undertakings. And, yet it has been the authors' aim to shirk no hardship, to spare neither pains nor cost to make the result as complete and acceptable as possible. Records and plat books have not been found sufficiently reliable for our purpose. The statement may seem almost incredible, and yet we have examined every piece of land in the County, besides making innumerable actual surveys, where boundaries have been in doubt or of irregular shape. Indeed, in the preparation of this book there is not a creek or road in The entire County to which we have not given our attention, in order that we might arrest the many defects always ..continued

to be found in County records. We have estimated that we have traveled over four thousand miles in examining and viewing the component parts of the different districts, cities, townships and villages.

It would, indeed, be ungrateful on our part if we did not render thanks to those who have shown us so many valuable courtesies. In the course of the eighteen months there have been hundreds of people who have assisted us by furnishing information and data. It would be impossible to express our entire appreciation to each individual, and we must take this opportunity of thanking them, one and all. The various assessors, clerks and trustees of the different townships and villages, and particularly the County officers have assisted us by so many kindnesses that we shall ever feel grateful for. Neither shall we forget those, who, by subscriptions have given us their encouragement. Special thanks are due the old settlers who have aided us in preparing the early history of the County, which we hope contains many interesting and almost forgotten reminiscences.

With all the incessant toil and hardship, involved, in the preparation of this Atlas, it has not been without its pleasant side, and, now that our work is done, we sincerely trust it will meet the general approval of the citizens of Jasper County, for whose special benefit it has been prepared. It is the first complete Atlas ever published of this County, and while we claim no gift of prophesy, we are bold enough to predict that it will be many years before another is needed. With this statement we present our effort to the candid judgment of the public, and hope it will win some appreciation equal to the pride we take in it, and the satisfaction of its merit will be a gratification worth more than the money realized as a business venture.

THE PUBLISHERS.