AUDUBON COUNTY TODAY. (CONT'D)
C. H. CROSS, IMPLEMENTS, AUDUBON.
We should be pleased if it were possible for every reader of this pamphlet to have viewed the display of cereals and vegetables raised this season, at the recent exhibition of the Audubon County Agricultural Society. It was a material support of those general notes that owuld prove most convincing and impressive of the fact that Audubon county has no superior in the state. However, we have at our command, by the courtesy of the various station agents, a statement of the
EXPORTS,
which shows in a succinct form the capacity of the county to produce above the quantity required for home consumption. The period of such export was from September 1, 1886, to September 1, 1887.
| PRODUCT. | NO. CARS. | BU. TO CAR. | BUSHELS. | PRICE
PER BU. | VALUE. |
|---|
| Corn | 3,500 | 600 | 2,100,000 | $ .25 | $525,000.00 |
| Oats | 800 | 1,000 | 800,000 | .20 | 160,000.00 |
| Barley | 93 | 800 | 74,400 | .35 | 26,040.00 |
| Rye | 101 | 800 | 80,800 | .40 | 64,320.00 |
| Wheat | 123 | 700 | 86,100 | .50 | 43,050.00 |
| Timothy | 12 | 800 | 9,600 | 2.00 | 19,200.00 |
| Cattle and hogs | 967 | average per car, $950 | 918,650.00 |
| | --------------- |
| Total value | $1,756,260.00 |
RAILROAD FACILITIES.
The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific and the Chicago & North-Western railways render the county excellent service in transportation. Competition between them is active, and we thus secure much better accommodations than non-competing points are able to secure. They have exerted their best efforts in making time to Chicago with stock, and have respectively made the run of nearly 500 miles in nineteen and twenty hours, thus making a great saving to shippers. In facilities for shipment we have the best.
FUTURE MARKETS.
In the belief that Omaha, Nebraska, will be the western market, we have hope of as additional advantage that will prove money saving to producers. It is but eighty miles distant, so that the cost of shipment will be materially decreased, and the price of land proportionally advanced. We have inestimable advantage by our convenience to the state capital, being only a four hours' ride from the homes of Audubon county. Errands of business and pleasure are frequently and easily made.
SOCIAL CONDITIONS.
The citizenship of the county is composed of 15,000 law defending, peace loving people, who live in happiness and contentment, exercising the functions of citizenship with high appreciation of its responsibilities, discharging their duties in the maintenance of public institutions in the way of churches, schools, etc., with marked faithfulness and devotion. The population has a large majority of native born, with a very agreeable sprinkling of
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foreign born, from the nations that have contributed some of the most thrifty and desirable citizens to our Republic. According to the totals of the most recent census we have 150 inhabitants of English birth, 136 from Ireland, 32 from Scotland, from Wales 4, from Canada 120, from Norway 14, from Sweden 43, from France 9, from Germany 592, from Bohemia 5, from Holland 5, from Denmark 680, and from all other countries 27. Both Germans and Danes are located in colonies, where they have established and maintain in flourishing condition both churches and schools, and are always enterprising in advancing public interests and the development of the country to its greatest capabilities.
The political complexion of the county is quite evenly divided, the republicans and democrats sharing equally in the administration of county offices. It is in such condition as makes each contest doubtful and interesting.
We would fail to compliment the high character of our population did we neglect to state that Audubon county is thoroughly and practically in accord with the prohibitory law of Iowa. Believing that the saloon is a source of evil they have enforced the law, and today not a grog shop is found within our borders. The population made up from the different nations, and from the many counties and states, is united on this question and in the support and enforcement of all salutary laws
RESIDENCE OF JOHN F. CONSIGNY, AUDUBON.
THE AUDUBON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The above named organization is eminently a county institution, as it has been fostered by the progressive and enterprising farmers and business men of every township. It was organized eight years ago, and has annually increased in membership and exhibits, until its last exhibition far surpassed any of its predecessors, and successfully rivaled any in the state, outside of those counties containing the larger cities. By very efficient and wise management it has overcome quite discouraging obstacles, most important of which has been the purchase of two tracts of ground, the first one purchased having been rendered useless by the crossing of the North Western railroad. The Society now has a forty-acre tract, upon which has been erected commodious and substantial buildings, with many contrivances of general convenience and utility. It is meeting with increased prosperity from year to year, and by offering and paying liberal premiums serves the admirable purpose of inciting a commendable rivalry among producers, while the annual fair has come to be in the fullest extent of the term a reunion of citizens, where all may meet once a year and renew old and cultivate new acquaintances. The association grounds are at Audubon.
Transcribed February, 2025 by Cheryl Siebrass from History of Audubon and Audubon County, Iowa,
The Eden of the West., 1887, pp. 23-24.
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