county. It was in this church building that the first union meeting of the county was held. It was held in May, 1861, and the meeting was made up of all political parties. The writer hereof called the meeting in order to test the feelings more definitely of the citizens of our county on the `state of affairs.' The `startling' news reached us of the Rebs firing on `the Star of the West,' and then upon ` Ft. Sumpter.' As might be expected, excitement ran high. The meeting was large, harmonious and patriotic. I will now return to the further history of Nevada. The M. E. society is building a $4,000 or $5,000 church. In connection with this there is about to be built a good flouring mill. It may cost when built from $5,000 to $7,000. A bonus of $2,000 is offered to the party who may comply with the offer. Nevada has as good schools, perhaps, as we have any where in Central Iowa. Its citizens have a regard for quiet and order within its limits. Lager beer and whisky are `few and far between.'
"Iowa Center is a village of considerable business. It has two mills, and is in the midst of an excellent country, and is surrounded by good settlements. It is situated mainly on the west fourth of section 10, township 82, range 22, near the east bank of East Indian Creek, seven or eight miles southeast of Nevada. Cambridge is in the center of section 21, township 82, range 23, and on the southwest bank of Skunk River, and is a point of considerable business. It contains a mill, and is surrounded by a good section of country, and good settlements. Situated on the road leading from Nevada to Des Moines—about nine or ten miles southwesterly from Nevada.
"Ames is a brisk village situated near the Agricultural College farm, and in the fork of Skunk River and Squaw Creek, and on the Chicago & Northwestern Railway, eight miles west of Nevada by rail. It has two church buildings, Congregational and Methodist, and an enterprising people. It is about to have a steam saw mill erected by Messrs. Scott & Stevens. The settlements around this place are growing but are much divided by the large streams during high waters.
" New Philadelphia is one and one-half miles west of the College farm. New Philadelphia is situated in a good vicinity of land and surrounded by good settlements. North of town a short distance is a steam saw mill owned or controlled by a Mr. Burger, who seems to be doing a good business. The Chicago & Northwestern Railroad runs near the north end of town.
[Since the above was written (twenty years ago), Ontario, on the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, immediately north of and adjoining to New Philadelphia, has been laid out in town lots, and a good building for a depot has been erected. It is now (1886) a place of considerable trade, and is surrounded by an excellent country and good settlements. Population about 200.]
"Colo is a station on the above named railroad, seven miles east of Nevada. It has a young and thriving settlement around it—as much so, perhaps, as any other point in the county. The prairie around it is beautifully undulating.