Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-04-11
R A ~ I'D d II H III,
GREEN COUNTY,. ILLINOIS.

Alton and Grafton, in Green County, Illinois,
| on a beautiful bench of land, from ten 10
twelve ieet above the highest known foods of
| the river, and stretching back half mile in
extent.
Nature has been abundanily lavish in be-
slowing advantages on this spot Tor great
commercial city, in many respects superior to
any other on the Illinois side of the Missssip-
pi between the mouth Of the Ohio and the Ill
nos rivers. The soil OF Randolph is black
| sandy loan, dry, and free from excessive mud
| in rainy weather, an Inconvenience from which
but few towns in this section Of the country
are exempt
| Building stone, Of n superior quality, is
found in abundance at the western extremity
| of the town site, and can be readily ,Arried
Rich limestone beds abound in the Immediate
| neshborhood. Timber suitable for building
and Of the largest growth, is within half a mile
! Of the town. Two superior water-power
privileges, superior for this section OF country
! are located within one and half miles OF the
| river, directly back of the town, and several
never-failing springs of pure water, are within
its limits. The shore Of the river that stretch
! es across the Southern boundary Of Randolph
| is Tor the most part bold, and at the west ern
extremity affords an excellent natural landing
for steamboats, Of the largest size at any stage
Of water, and all the remaining portion Of the
|
provement, that il can readily be made at a
small expense, both safe and eligible for the
| lInding of merchandise from steamboats, Of
any size. The Piasa empies into the Missis-
sppi at the southeastern point OF Randolph,
! and is navigable for small steamboats, q por-
ton Of the year, as far as the east end Of the
! town. This creek Is navigable several miles
from its mouth one half OF the year for fiat
boats, and it affords a safe and convenient har-
Dor for freight boats, and will be admirably
calculated tor boat building, as materials for
their construction may by obtained in the i'm
mediate vicinity Besides the above named
intrinsic advantages that Randolph enjoys for
a commercial town, there are others oil an ex-
tcrnal character, which should not be over.
looked In the first place, it is situated near
the highest navigable point on the river, for
steamboats, of the largest class at the lowest
stage Of water and this circumstance alone,
has direct and important bearing on its COM
merca importance. 1t is nearly opposite 10
Portage deSSioux, town on the Missouri side
of the river, long established crossing place,
heretofore esteemed superior to any point on
the Mississippi, between the head Of the great
American bottom and the Illinois river; en-
Toying ferry privileges at all seasons of the
year, unless ii obstructed by the ice. 1t is d..
rcctly opposite TO that point where the two
great rivers Of the west approach each other
within one and half miles distance, and
where il is had in contemplation 10 cut a
steamboat canal, 10 unite the two streams thus
avoiding some part Of the most dangerous nav
isation Of the Missouri river; an examination
of this route having already been made by a
competent Engineer, and an estimate had Of
the expense Of constructing canal with a
guard lock, on the Missouri river. W hich will
not exceed eighty thousand dollars. In the
event OF this grand operation being brought to
successful issue, Randolph must at once fall
an heir 10 large share Of the trade OF the up
per Missouri, as steamboats, navigating that
river will take this in preference 10 the na'u.
raj and more dangerous channel. 1t is so sit
uacd in reference 10 the adjoining country, as
10 admit of the easy construction Of rail
road, without degree Of inclination that will
require stationary power; in this respect it
is the most eligible point above the American
bottom. There is another circumstance which
has more direct and impor;an, bearing on the
commercial prospects of Randolph, than the
one 10 which We have just alluded. The gov
eminent surveyor, in locating the northern
route of the great Cumbe rland or national road
through Illinois to Jefferson city, in Missouri,
rnr 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 Nilsson
ri 10 Portage de Sioux, and which is subject in
| great measure, TO inundation, and which
could not be otherwise avoided should the
crossing place be lower down the river
When the national road shall be graded and
opened, as it necessarily will be in few years,
II will enter front street, on the east, and con-
tinue through its whole length, to the western
extremity on the river landing, as indicated in
our Lthogiaphic map, where it is intended 10
establish a ferry TO Portage. This street has
been so constructed in the survey Of The town,
as to embrace the line Of the government sur
vey for the national road, and is marked by a
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, ASTOUNDING IN
good timber, and prairie lands; large por-
ton Of which lie settled by intelligent and In
dusrious farmers, many Of whom are decided
ly in favor Of this locations and in point Of
| population il ranks the thnd largest in the
state, containing according TO the last census
1924 inhabitants, and rapidly Increasing
The question is already too trlte, whether
| town making in the west has not reached its
acme7 And whether those towns now being
and hereafter to be located, will not prove alb.
oriye efforts altogether OH the part Of the orr.
ginal proprletors7 We answer in relation TO
those on the great western waters-NO. For
we have only 10 cast our eye on the map OF the
United States along the course Of the Hudson |
or Ohio rivers, and behold the enterprising bu- |
sness towns which skirt the margins Of the |
streams, and then trace the Mississippi and |
Missouri rivers from their source TO their ter
minaIion, and observe their length when COM
pared with the two above named and let the
eye carry the mind over the vast tract OF coun-
try these western waters are destined TO supply
through the commercial cities, that now and
hereafter shall line their shores, and compare
the same with the extent Of country that de-