to please every subscriber; that would indicate a millennial condition of unity between the writer and the public which has never been attained, even in sacred history. We have tried to give a truthful record of events as the facts have been made known to us. To those members of the county Press, those numerous Clergymen, Instructors, Pioneers and friends who have so generously aided in the preparation of this work, the heartiest thanks are publicly expressed. The papers on "The Geology of Linn County" and "The Mound Builders" are from the pen of MR. GEORGE W. BETTESWORTH, of Cedar Rapids, whose familiarity with the topics treated upon is recognized by all who know him. They form an especially interesting feature of this work, advancing, as they do, several original ideas in relation to the respective subjects. When the present generation shall have passed into the silent grave, and the historian is no longer able to converse face to face with them, the value of this history will be conceded. AUGUST, 1878. THE PUBLISHERS. |