Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1825-10-29

deed exhibit many instances OF large land
holders or others who live at ease on
their rents or income; but are hardy
and industrious race, owning the soil
which they personally cultivate, in fee
simple, by patent from the United States
government.
SANGAMo was erected into a separate
county in the same menth as Greene, and
embraced a wide extent of country. Ii
is now confined within narrower limits,
but is yet large county, lying on both
sides OF the Sangamo river, and including
body of land which is too celebrated Tor
its fertility and great natural advantages
to require eulogy from us. OF It's rapid
increase, we need only bring in proof the
general election in 1924, when j, actu-
ally gave the highest mum Der OF votes Of
any county in the state. The part now
attached TO Peoria county, then constilu-
ted a part of Sangamo, but we believe,
at that time, was not very material ad-
dition To It's numerical force. The citi-
zens of Sangamo are, like those OF
Greene, industrious and enterpriziDg,
and generally owners as well as cul-
tivators Of the soil. The prairies are,
perhaps, larger than is consistent with a
dense population; yet, we believe, the
streams running through the county,
irjnged with forest trees, so far facilitate
settlements that every prairie will be
soon surrounded, and, by that means,
kept free from the annual fires which
now prevent the growth Of timber on
them. Possessing front on the Illinois
of twenty or thirty miles, and traversed
through large portion of it by nav-
gable stream-the Sangamo river---this
county affords many means to its enter
prising inhabitants of advancing in pros
perity, and holding conspicuous station
among The counties OF the state.
MORGAN is situated between the two
former counties. 1t was organized I'M
der an act passed in January, 1928, and
possesses population sir.ilar in cha
racter to those already described /;
amounting in number, perhaps, 10 that Of
Greene. In some respects this couoty
is supposed 10 be more favorable to- the
immediate reception of dense popula-
ton than either of the others; being
handsomely divided into woodland and
small prairies, and irrigated by the seve-
raj branches OF the Mauvais-terre creek,
and other smaller streams. Travellers,
even after icasting their eyes on the beau.
ties of the contiguous counties, never
fail to express their delight at the variety
which they behold in this pre- eminenlIy
charming county. Among other scenes
which attract The attention and excite the
admiration OF the visitors, Diamond
Grove, and its surrounding prairie, may
be mentioned as an object on which the
eye rests with pecu liar satisfaction. In
the midst Of rich and waving natural
meadow, fringed on every side by tall
and excellent timber, an emipcnce rises
with gradual slope, including about a
section of land (64o acres and covered
with grove OF almost every variety of
deciduous forest trees. Around this in
sulated grove are many fine farms, placed
on the gentle ACTIVITY, and command
ing prospects on every side, which 1T
once delight by their beauty, and cheer
by the anticipations arising GU, of the
sudden growth of plantations while the
inhabitants OF the crcumjscen, plain en-
Joy reciprocal pleasures and indulge ST.
milar expectations. This county fronts
on the Illinois river some thirty or forty
miles; and offers many inducements,
besides the extraordinary beauty of the
country and fertility of the soil, to the en-
terprising settler. We see not how it
cali fail to maintain the reputation it has
acquired, and advance with steady and
rapid pace to high degree of wealti.
and prosperity.
We are informed that the tract OF coun-
try detached las, winter from Sangamo,
and added-temporaril Peoria coun-
~ (Which is on the opposite side of
the lllinois) is now filing up with inha-
bi'ants, a, rate beyond what we could
have conceived; especially on the tim
Der of Little chilimackinac. or the
nature and situation OF this large body of
land, extending from Sangamo county,
due north, SO as to occupy al! the space
between the third meridian and Illinois
river, we know too little to authorize us
in an attempt at description. We, there
fore, pass on to the Bounty lands.
We have already said that these lands
are divided into twelve counties: six or
ganized, and six--perhaps we ought to
say seventh embryo. Some of these
immature counties extend beyond the mi
litary tract to the Northern boundary of
the state. But we will dominance al The