Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1843-01-27
Correspondence of the Free Press.
CAMP MORSE, LEE CouNrY, ILLINOIS, }
Near the Winn.bago .Suamps, :
Ilee Z 1910

Dee. Z 1872 )
Dean Sin,-In Sept, '32 wasa "jour in in your
Office. Now am engaged in sectionizing ,,wnshps
in Illinois; that's in surveying, or dividing townships
into sections and half sections. little thought when
left you, that at this time should find myself ira
eng and retracng and splitting up into sections the
swamps, which, at that time, were occupied and made
a rendezvous for the Winnebago Indians. But it is
left the Green Mountains of Vermont and came
to Illinois, in the spring of 81, and since that time
with the exception of a few months, have resided in
this great and truly fertile State. The change from
a climate so saubrous and healthy is that of your
State, to one so unculvated, thinly populated, and
in many places low and marshy, as was this produce
ed change in my system, and for long time, had
to battle with the diseases Of this country, such f.
yer and ague remitent and bilious fevers bui, after
going through with what is termed here II season.
ing recovered from all, and am now as healthy,
if not more SO, than when left "my own native hills
To one unaccuslomed to our mild winters, it would
seem the height of folly TO attempt the survey Of
township at this season Of the year, and that too
through the swamps and over the wide and extended
prairies in this section of Illinois. But with us, no.
thing is more common. The greater part of Iowa, l
am told was surveyed in the winter season. We are
now encamped in small grove of timber on the
North side of the swamps, and about l6 miles lin
direct lne,) from Dixon. The nearest settlement
North Of us, is about9 miles, on the main road from
Rock Island, &C. to Dixon and Chicago. At this
place, Mr.. Hawleys, who emigrated from New York,
send in occasionally for provisions and such other
necessaries as need to make us comfortable. Our
TENTS constructed that il sheds the rain complete
ly and with the assistance of sheet iron stove OF
our own manufacture, can make ourselves rs COM
Portable, or nearly so, by fire sides. Our
company is made up of seven persons, all of whom
orderly and attentive, and use every excrtion to
make our temporary home in the swamps as acreea-
bic and pleasant as possible. To give you some idea
of the different places of our nativity, will mention
that our head man halls from the old Granite State,
New Hampshire, myself and two others from the
Green Mountain State, another from Maine, another
from Virginia, and one from the old Hoosier State
The country around us is mostly PRAIRIE md as
level as the ocean, with the exception of occa sional
nobs bluffs, which rise generally Sor l0.feet, though
in some places considerably higher. Some Of the
bluffs are covered with u" TIMBER, mostly, however,
in small patches in this vicinity. To person unac-
customed to look upon our praiies, the position we
now occupy presents a view the most grand and sub
lime In going to the main swamp. we pass over
low, level prairie of about three miles in width when
we rise low piu1 ana descend gIauuany u low
and dreary looking swamp Of about p! miles in width
At this time it is frozen over, and covered with snow
abouta foot deep; the snow being held or bound in
! from the winds by tall grass and weeds. The water
now IS lower than usual-rangng from | to fce
| in depth. In some places in this swamp, iron ore
abounds 10 such extent that it is impossible 10 run
on true line with the compass.
Deer abound on the prar!es in great numbers
droves are seen near US every day Raccoon, prairie
chickens wild hogs, wolves and other game are also
very plenty-so that you may judge how we liv,
away in this country Of swamps and prairies. TIT
deer and prairie chickens arc 50 tame that they fire
quenlly como within few rods of our camp.
You may suppose that no person would ever thinl
ofliving within the vicinity Of these mnrshy swamps;-
not so, we have found within few days several pi
oneers who have made claims, and reside within sigh
of them They live principally by trapping and hunt
ing deer otter, raccoon, muskrals, &c. &C., thoug
some have 4 small farm under cultivation.
Rock Island on the Mississippi river, 100 miles be
low Galena, is one of the most furnishing and grow
ing towns in the western country. 1t is but fe,
years since Black Hawk and his tribe were in posses
sion of, and lived upon that beautiful and lovely spo
Now it is thriving village, and ornamented wit
many handsome and costly dwellings. The Court
house alone cost $4,000. There has been no attemp
to build up town there for the purpose Of speculu
ton, but cmigrants have built for their own use an
occupancy. Mr.. j. w Spencer, native of Vergenne:
VT, to that place some 10 years ago, before tn
Black Hawk war, and took up his residence At tina
time he was nearly pennyless; now he has an abun
dance and to spare, being Independent, or nearly 81
in his circumstances There are others from you
State also in comfortable circumstances. Thre
miles above the town of RockI Island, and on tn
East side of Rock Island itself upon which islam
stands {" For. Armstrong;; dam has been bui
) across the east branch Of the Mississippi, which
about 500 feet in length. This produces the MOI
abundant and valuable water power known in III
west and will prove of incalculabe benefit to the SUI
rounding country. The proprietors Of this vauab
property have already erected most substantial an
efficient saw mill, and are turning out lumber at
rapid rate. An iron foundry and grst mill will
e erected in the spring, adapted the wants of Il
country This power being inexhaustible, will
time, become second Lowell. 1t cannot be o,he
}. wise. Some Of your readers may smile at my pr
= dlcon, but let them come and see for themselves
Depend upon it, Rock Island, at no distant day, wi
\ out do Lowell in her manufacturing, not only
$ boards, flour, iron, &c but even in the manuactu
OF cloths. Yours, truly,
: YANKEE IN THE SwAMPS.