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391 Villages

there who reside here to dig for wealth under the soil, rather than on its surface is so strong that the capabilities of the soil are probably not yet fairly tested.

There are eleven post offices established in this county viz: at Belmont, [Blue Mounds], Diamond Grove, Dodgeville, Elk Grove, Gratiots Grove, Helena, Mineral Point, Porters Grove (or Ridgeway), White Oak Springs, Willow Springs, and Wiota. This list will show also the principal villages and settlements in the county.

Belmont is situated between the two Platte Mounds near the north line of township three in range one east; and is noted as being the place selected in 1836 by Governor Dodge for holding the first session of the Legislative Assembly. It has not improved very rapidly since that period. The Platte Mounds are two conical elevations about two hundred feet high twelve miles south west from Mineral Point. They

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