Du Buque visitor. [volume] (Dubuque, Lead Mines, Wisconsin Territory) 1836-1837, 1836-12-07
LETTERING. II.

Dear Friends: will now proceed to civ,
you further description Of this vast and i'm
PoIsant country, or attempt TO do SO, in m,
feeble manner. !. You are we'll aware. that
lam out OF my element, writing beinr new
business to me, therefore you can account 70
the laundering way in which these letters arr
put together.
In the first place, l intend to say a few word.
10 the ladies, or more particularly, to those
who are holding on in the estate of single
Ebiessedness." If they wish to change 10,
"better OF worse" let them wend their way
to the west side of the Mississippi, and they
WILL not be disappointed in getting husband
at the shortest notice. Men are as numerous
here as black berries in summer, but females
are quite scarce--this fact is quite observable
IN the houses CT public worship. where there
are hve males in attendance to one female. In
this country, females receive from l6 to 81
dollars per month for house work, and are
hard to be got at that price. If some hun.
dreds OF the fair sex in the old states could
De induced to come this sway, they would soon
nave an opportunity to make q change, no
doubt to their entire satisfaction.
There is a great deficiency here in MANY. Of
Itne mechanic branches, some Of which Twill
just enumerate--cabinet makers, chair makers.
brick makers and brick layers, shoe-makers.
tin smiths, tanners and curriers', SOAP and cam
die makers, potters, weavers, wheel-wriphts.
coopers, &C., all of which could find constant
ane profitable employment.
will also give you, as near as possible, the
prices of articles manufactured by the above
mechanics, as l know them to exist, and if
have given what you would consider very high
prlces, 1t is not to deter persons from coming
mere, but on the contrary to show to mechan-
les and the iaboring classes generally in the
east what they can obtain for their work in
this most interesting Of all lands, the new
Wisconsin Territory. Low-post bedstcads
cost $50. walnut breakfas, tables the same,
Windsor chairs 8 the half dozen, and other
furniture in proportion; bricks ! 10 per 1000,
laying the same SO; soap IL l-2 cts. to l6 go
per b.; dipt candles l6 3-f cents, whilst tai.
low costs butte l-4cts. per lb.; common sized
tubs %, buckets IS cents; Oxen wagons from
{ 80 to 500, wheel-barrows 10.
Rents are high at present, but this is owing
to the rapid and almost unparalleled increase
ofpopulation, far outstrippiag the means to
erect buildings heretofore. Al this time sew
eral saw mills are in successful operation. and
many others being erected, also, several grist
mills.
A very comfortable log house can be pu,
up for about j $50, which will suit very well
tor temporary residence, or until man with
small capital is enabled 10 put up more
costly and handsome dwelling
Since penned my last letter. the first terri
Eorial election has been held, one delegate to
congress was elected, also thirteen council
men, and twenty-six representatives, to com.
pose the Legislative assembly of Wisconsin,
which is now in session.
Some idea may he formed of the prosneritv [
d me place. from tho sa.s. sl.et a2i votes were
the county. Decency and good order prevails
ed to greater degree than it has been my lot to
witness in other places for several years back.
There was no tumult or party strife to exas-
oerate and excite the feelings, but every vc-
Ter was allowed free access TO the polls, and
Nj passed of Ia the utmos: lia,monys
Tie season for game has just passed, some
Kinds Of which have been in great abundance,
of deer, wild geese, and ducks,
'heasants and prairie fowls, the latter is the
most delicious Of the feathered tribe l had
leard much, previous to my coming here, Of
he coldness of tho climate. the long and
lreary winters. but up to this time, (the mid
lie Of November) with the exception Of four
" five days, the weather has been the most
pleasant and agreeable, and no colder than is
,snal in Pennsylvania. at the same season.
There is very little snow falls, and the win.
ers are generally dry and healthy, and busi-
less continues undated. except upon the riv-
RS, which are INSTRUCTED by ice about three
nonths. We lave one drawback upon the
general convenience Of ourtown. Either from
he difficulty in digging wells. or the supine-
less Of the inhabitants on the subject. there I
rave been but three or four wells dug. 80 that
most Of the water used is taken from the Mis-.
i.sippi. and served round by VIM. Miller, a
'oung Philadelphia, and profitable bust 4
less he makes oft.
Now, once fer all, give my advice to per.
IONS in the eastern states, who are telling from
'ear to year and saving nothing, to bend their
course to the west as soon as possible, and
hey will find change for the better very
shortly. Ifthey come with disposition 70 {
70 pleased, and nottwith afault-fnding spirit,
make up their minds to be satisfied with things
- they find them, and tnrntheiI hands to any
hing that offers, they conld not be prevailed
Pon to exchange for their former situations
III that come 20 disposed, will find a hearty
Welcome from the citizens, and every epeerr. I
cement will be given to. make them happy I
nd contented. Yours, &c. h
+ J.T.F.
SELLING OFT. I