"As self-knowledge is the most important, and a knowledge of our own country is to be preferred to that of all others, we will take a survey of ourselves, and when you have done this, if you become weary, you may retreat and we will endeavor to enlist some one else to accompany us. It is our purpose, however, to make the circuit so interesting, that instead of leaving us we expect you will cling the closer the longer we travel together. Should any of our readers not appreciate the work, the time will come when their children will."

Contents

Another bit from the book, talking about Creston, Iowa:

"On East Adams street, between Maple and Pine, in the Gibson-Griffin block, is a general store owned and operated by James Griffin, who is one of Creston�s substantial merchants. This store contains a fine stock of dry goods and groceries and general merchandise, and Mr. Griffin�s trade extends over large territories of country aside from a large city trade. He is also largely identified with the interests of the blue grass palace city, and the handsome new block just finished on the corner of Adams and Pine streets was built by himself and Mr. John Gibson. Mr. Griffin has also been an efficient member of the Creston School Board for a number of years."

List of Illustrations