Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1837-04-21
RANDOLPH.
GREEN COUNTY, Illinois.

VENlIE tOWn OF fLHJNDOLL II rs duVuH |
Il tageously situated on tho Mississippi
river, on fractional sections 25 and 90, in |
Township No. north, and range No II,
west of the third principal meridian, about
equ,ds,an, between Alton and GRAFTON, in
Green County, Illinois, on beautiful bench
of land, from ten to twelve feet above the
highest known floods OF the river, and
stretching back half mile in extent.
Nature has been abundantly lavish, in
bes,owng advantages on this spot, for a
great commercial city, in many respects
superior to any other on the Illinois side off
the Mississippi between he mouth Of the
Ohio and the Illinois river. The soil Of
Randolph is black sandy loan, dry and
free from excessive mad in rainy weather,
an Inconvenience from which but few towns
in this section Of the country are exempt.
Building stone, of a superior quality, is
found in abundance at the western eXlreml.
" of the town site, and can be readily quar-
RED. Rich limestone beds abound in the
immediate ncighborhood. Timber suitable
for building and Of The largest growth, is
within half mile Of the town. Two supe.
rior water power privileges, superior for
this section Of country are located within
back Of the town, and several nevcr.falIing
springs OF pure water, arc within its limits.
The shore of the river that stretches across
the Southern boundary of Randolph is for
the most part bold, and at the western ex-
tremiiy affords an excellent naluaral land
ing 70! steamboats, Of the largest size AT any
stage of water and all the remaining por
ton of the bank Of the river, is susceptible
Of such Improvement, tina, it can readily be
made at q small expense, both safe and eli,
glblc for the landing Of merchandise from
steamboats, Of any size. The Piasa tmptles
into the Mississippi at the southeastern
point of Randolph, and is nav'gabIe for
small steamboats, portion Of the year, as
far as the east end of the town. This creek
is navgable several miles from It's mouth
one half of the year for fat boats, and 1t at
fords a safe and convenient harbor for
freigh, boats, and will be admirably calcu-
lated for boat building, as materials for
their construction may be obtained IN the
immediate vicinity. Besides the above
named intrinsic advantages that Randolph
enI oys for a commercial town, there are
others Of an external character, which
should not be overlooked. In the first place
it is situated near the highest nayigablc
| point on the river, for steamboats, of the
| largest class at the lowest stage Of water {;
and this circumstances alone, has direct
and important bearing on lis commercial
| importance. 1t is neatly opposite, to Por.
tage de Sioux, town on The Missouri side
OF the river, long established crossing
| place, heretofore esteemed superior to any
point Oh the Mississippi, between the head
of the great American bottom and the Hi.
nols river; enjoying ferry privileges at all
seasons of the year, unless obs,rncied by
the ice. 1t is directly opposite to that point,
| where the two great rivers OF the west ap-
proach each other within one and half
miles distance, and where it is had in con-
temptation TO cut q steamboat canal, to
unite the two streams, thus avoiding some
part OF the most dang navigation OF
! the Missouri river; an examination OF this
route, having already been made by com
petent Engineer, and an estimate had OF
the expense OF constructing canal with a
guard lock, on the Missouri river, which
VIII not exceed eighty thousand dollars
In the event Of this grand operation being
brought to successful issue, Randolph
must at once fall all heir to large share
of the trade of the upper Missouri, As
steamboats, navigating II at river will take
this ia preference to the natural and more
dangerous channel. 1t is so situated in re
ference to the adjoining country, as to ad
NIT Of The easy construction OF rail- road,
without a degree of inclination that will
require stationary power; IN tins respect
1t is the most eligible point above the a.
merlcan bottom. There is Another circrm.
stance which has more direct and import
ant bearing on the commercial prospects of
| Randolph, than the one to which we have
Just alluded. The government surveyor,
IN locating the northern route OF the great
Cumberland or national road through Hi
noiS 10 Jefferson city, in Missouri, run his
line to this point on the river, as being the
most eligible for crossing into Missouri, and
thus avoiding The extensive bottom land
which stretches from the mouth of the Mis-
sour to Portage de Sioux, and which is
subject in great measure, to inunda,lon,
and which could not be otherwise avo ded.
should the crossing place be lower down
the river When the rational road shall
be graded and opened, as it necessarily will
be in a few years, it will enter front street,
on the east, and continue through its v hole
length, to the western extremity on the
river landing, as indicated in our Lthog
raphic map, where it is intended to es'ab-
fish ferry to Portage. This street has
been so constructed in the survey of the
town, as to embrace the line of the govern.
ment survey for the national road, and is
marked by corresponding width, viz: so
feet, reference being had to the plot of said
town referred to above.
The town of Randolph is situated in one
Of the richest counties in the state, aboun.
ding in good timber, and prairie lands
a large portion Of which is settled by in
telllgent and industrious farmers, many of
whom are decidedly in favor Of this loca,