Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1834-02-27

springs up and grows with uncommo,
rapidity, when the fires are stopped, ano
the natural grass destroyed by surround
ng settlements. Thousands of acres OF
thrifty young timber now adorn tbs
prarics in this region, on which since my
residence in the country, there was no
a shrub or bush.
1 In general, fencing will cost from &C
to 25 cts. per rod-valulng labor at sc
cts. "A day,-breaking the prairie sward
which requires strong team, from ST.,
rs to $500 per acre. A single, crop Of
wheat, sold for so cents per bdshel, in
many instances, has paid the prices Of
the land, fencing, breaking the ,airle.
lputtingin the crop, seed wheat, harvest
ing, threslling and taking to market.
Second. Our water is in general ex
cellent, and as is the case through the
whole west, of the limestone quality
Good springs are more frequent than is
supposed. Excellent water can be OBJ
tanned by digging from ! 8 to 80 feet
Probably in no country on earth is {,
farmer more certain Of obtaining a good
well at slight expense, than on the prai-
ries of Illinois. In former times, and on
the old roads, wells were walled with
green timber, which impaired disa-
Igreeable flavorto the water, and led trav
oilers to suppose our water was natur-
Ially unhealthy. But this is not the
case with wells walled with stone or
brick.
A multitude of facts might be submit
ted to show that entirely wrong and err
roneous impressions have gone abroad
relative to the health Of Illinois.
On this subjec, we (earlcssly challenge
Investigation, and IA comparison with any
western state, or even Pennsylvania i'll
its former new and uhcultivated condi
ton. believe the point is conceded
now by physicians and others WHO have
had time and opportunity to investigate
the subject, that Illinois is as healthy as
ANY new State, more 30 than most heavi-
" timhercd couhtres.
Third. As respects society and neigh
boIhood advantages, all new countries
with spare population, labor under
|inconveniencies. Bat in this particular
we are not a fraid 10 draw compa risons
with older communities. In many of
our towns, villages, and country settle
ments are families of refined manners,
possessing intelligence, liberality, hon.
orahle and high toned moral feelings.
Our plain farmers,-the 'bone and sim
ew" of our country, possess as many
good qualities for social intercourse as
are usually found amongst the same class
in older communities.
1t is thought by some gentlemen,
whose professional calling has given
them greater opportunity for observation
on that subject than my own, that a
greater number OF heads Of families are
professors of religion belonging to some
one of the various denominations, thar
in the same proportion of population in
New York, Pennsylvania or Virginia.
The records of our courts would show,
probably, less proportion Of criminal
Indictments.
We have one College in successful OPP
Grafton at Jacksonville, which has in the
preparatory department, and college
proper, about 70 students. Another is
soon to commence operations under ia.
vorable circumstances at Alton, and some
steps have been taken to establish third
in Randolph County; all without legis.
lative aid. We have several respecta-
BILE boarding schools, both for males and
females, where literature and science.
in all their ordinary branches, are
taught.
have just been informed by the
! Agent in that business, that there are
within the state between 400 and 500
sunday schools, with about 5000 schol
ars, and upwards Of 10000 books in
their libraries; common school education
receives increasing attention, and many
philanthropic citizens, have formed a
society to collcc, information and are
cxcrting themselves to awaken deeper
interest in the minds of the people or
this important subject.
| mention these particulars, merely
to show the condition Of society amongst
us.
Our population is too sparse, scattered
over tract of country too extensive t.
allow US to enjoy all the benefits result
ing from frequent and free neighbour,
intercourse.
:. The State is divided into fifty sever