The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1833-07-10

lltltf OF tue liliuois IiNcis """ S"'S'' '"~
anne e.ieuf rs one of the large prairies
above.
Tbe largest Greeks nrc the Indian
and Sunday, which, with
many others, afford water for miles sew
erol months in the year. The branches
or .hese creeks with various smaller
streams, which intersect the Conniy ~
every direction. yield an abundant aud
unfniling supply of stock water.
'rhe soil of the prairies, which forms
rho farming land, is based on fine yel-
low CLAW. aud varies in depth from two
,n Eve feet. 1t consists of Itch black
loam, light and porous, in which IS NIX,
ed very small portion. OF sani' ana
nuch resembles the manure from thor
o,ghIv ro,ted woodward. Its fertility,
onJ ,he ease with which it is cultivated,
orc The boast of the inhabitants. An av-
c,occ field of corn, with very moderate
cul,nre. will measure sixty bushels, and
n whea, field twenty FIVE, though there
are not unfrequeut instances OF near
twice that quantity being gathered from
an ocre. Besides these, all kinds OF
small grain, hemp, tobacco, in word'
aII ,he nroducts of the middle aud west
ern states grow luxurlantly.
The staples Of the county consist OF
wheat, corn, cattle and pork. Cattle
are easily raised, thrive well during the
summer on the prairie grass, and IN WIN
ter are easily sustained by the wheat
straw and prairie grass cut during the
months of August and September, anu
cured in the same manner as the COM
mon meadow grass. Hogs gre likewise
easily raised, aud require no attention
except during the winter months. Not
withstnndiug the great demand from en-
igra,ion, n large quantity is yearly ex-
ported.
In the advantages of navigation, no
county so far from the sea coast presents
gren,er inducements. The Illinois Riv-
err, which forms our western boundary
is one third of mile wide, generally
very deep, and IN facilities of navIgaiion'
Yields 20 no stream, save the Mississippi,
west of the Alleghanies. To the north
ern line Of our county, an abundance "i
wn,er is afforded, in usual seasons, for
steamboats, for ten months IN the year.
permitting US "a free egress TO St. LOUIS:
and thence TO New Orleans. The same
stream opens communication WIN me
northern pa-t of the State, and will ulti'
mately with the l. ,kcs, when the Illinois
and Michigan Canal is completed a
work which, we trust, for the honor and
benefit of our State, will not long remain
in its present situation,
Jacksonville, The County seat, is hand-
somely situated on an elevated prairie'
short distance from the Mauvaseterre,
and commands an extensive view OF ma
nv miles. It is near the centre OF the
county, twenty miles from the Illinois
river. and a hundred miles north of St.
Louis. In 1926, the land on which-it is
built was entered, and. shortly afterwards
the lots were sold. The county seat
was not considered permanently cstao-
ished until two years after, from which
period is dated its rapid improvement.
! At present there are nineteen stores, ana
four new ones being opened, one oil m''i'
two carding machines, cotton factory,
steam mill, with various other shops
and factories. The present population
is about 400.
TheIllinois college is situated IN the
suburbs of the village, Oh an emf
nence, from which is presented hne
prospect of the surrounding country.
The main building, which is now beng
completed, is four stories hlgE, and a
hundred and sixty feet long, and well
calculated to accommodate large num-
ber of students. From the fiourishing
condition ofthe college, and the spirited
manner i'm which It is conducted, well
founded assurance is given that II VIII
fully answer the expectations OF Its
warmest friends.
A female academy is also to c erect
ed the present summer There are also
"a methodist and presbyterian meeting
house.-Two other meeting houses will
also be erected the present or ensuing
season.
On the bank of the Illinois river, three
fourishing villages have sprung up in the
last four years, Beardstown, Meredosla
and Naples. The two last are support
ed by the southern part Of this county
and parts of two counties on the oppo
site shore the other by the northern
parts of this aud Sangamon county, and
as many counties on the other bank o
the river. Reardstown is the larges
town on the Illinois River and contain,
abou, 600 inhabitants. As there is nc
place soHh of Naples which will uit..th'
con yenience Of the Inhabitants, and nc
situation on this side of the Illinois, "a
boye Beardstown, for hundred miles
suit able for IA town site, ono Of the vii