New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-01-27
The West-IIIinois-yyisco River
aSes-tya Privileges,
PrDsuectS,
Correspondence of The Tribune

Presumng that It may not be unacceptable 10
YOU to hear from Il reader OF your widely clrcu-
!ating paper: VINO Is rambler IN what was a
few wears since the Far West but which is now
far too near SGa-ri2e 10 bear that appelauon,
take the liberty 10 note q few of myown obsera-
tons upon Na-then Illinois and Wisconsin for
The Tribune. 20 one, who few years since
IN this section passed over the ground now oecU-
pied by tioursting towns, with tasteful dwellings,
extensive manufacturing establishments, houses
of worship, and institutions of learning, but
which was then destitute OF every mark OF clylll-
zation On uDbroken waste OF prairie and wood
land, desolateIv beautiful the change appears, as
the work Of enchanment. About nine years
since ! visited the spot where now stands the
holrshing town OF Milwaukee, then destitute ri
a WHITE family, and also tTavcTScG the valley OF
the Fox River OF Illinois in the Territory and IN
the State. THIS valley, IN the Territory and
Northern Illinois for forty miles IN the State. was
then uninhabi'cd, save by a tcw Struggling Pota-
watomes, with no object 10 diversity the beauty
Of the natural scenery, save here and there the
wigwaMs Of the Indians. In passing over the
same ground recently, and viewing the popuLa
non, the improvements III Agriculture, and every
branch OF Domestic Industry, my mind was filled
with astoniShmeut and delight. The advance
mcnt of physical improvements has been little
more rapid than OF moral, and intellectual. The
valley of the Fox-is now studded with flourish
mo villages \ ear the head Of the river, IN
Wisconsin, and nearly west OF Milwaukee, IS
Prairieville, a beautiful village, IN the midst OF
thriving settlements having good Water-powcr,
with mills and several religious societies. lew
miles below Prairievil!e, at the junction OF the
Mulwancgo and Fox, is the village OF Muh
waneco next, in descending the river, is Water
ford and within two miles below, at the mouth
of the Muskego outlet, is the lively little village
of Rochester, with mills and several business es-
adjustments. SIX miles further down the river,
the eve Of the traveller is greeted by the beautiful
village of Burlington, situated at the confluence
of the Geneva Lake outlet with the Fox. This
is one of the largest tributaries of the Fox; It's
waters, retain to It's junction with the river, the
peculiar crystal purity which characterlzes the
splendid sheet of water from which 1t cmanatcS.
The site of Burlington was formerly the location
of an Indian village, and is one OF rare beauty
and picturesque scenery. In March, 1889, /
encamped over night with one comrade on this
ground, and as | looked around upon It's small
prairics and undulating woodlands, lis beautiful;
banks, and clear spring brooks, could not but
wish, it was the abode Of civilized men, and
think were it so, | would select 1t as a home. 1t
now contains not only civilized but refined So
cetv with dwellings,, mills, stores, &c. IN the
most tasteful style. Descending the river, the
next village is in Illinois, abut ten miles below
the State line, the county scat of Mctlenry
county, and bears the same name. Five miles
below, and little west of the Fox, IS the pretty
little village of Crystalyille, situated OH fine
nrairic nv the side of CRYSTAL Lake.
Nine miles below this, In the county OF Kane,
is Dundee, a flourishing village with good
water-power, mills, &c. A little above this POINT
on the river, commences that extensive hydraulic
power which varies but little in value and extent,
to the mouth of the river at Ottowa, u distance
of seventy miles, the current being lively before
interrupted by dams, and the banks uniformly
favorable the stream also subject to but little
rise and fall. The durability and extent of the
water-power along this river IS such, that with
the extensive fertile tract OF country lying along
each side of it, and for "a distance either wey
from it, thriving manufacturing towns must soon
grow up, upon its borders. Five miles be-
low Dundee, is the crossing OF the Fox by the
Chicago and Gaena stage road here IS Elgin
one of the most prominent and promising VII
lages in the valley of the Fox. 1t has superior
water.poWer with several mills and manufacture
mo establishments IN operation, and through 1t
passes one of the most important thoroughares
in the State. The extensive travel from Chicago
to Bclv!dara, Rockport, Freeport, Galena and the
mineral region generally, crosses the Fox, manly
at this place where substantial bridge is thrown
across the river. This, with the dense surround
| ing population, OF the most industrious and en-
terprslng class with rich productive soil, is fast
building up place of business at Elgn. The
place now has in operation one flourlshing mill,
three saw mills, single mill, a carding and
cloth dressing establishment, pillow factory, fur
race and machine shop, by water; with power
sufficient for several more establishments also
three public houses, SIX stores, about twenty me-
chanic shops Of different kinds, four organized
religious societies with each house OF worship
erected an academy incorporated and SIX district
and select schools III operation. The ear of the
passing traveller is here sauted the first IN this
valley, by the sound Of the church going betL
Passing OH down the river, the next town of I'M
portance is St. Charles; this is also very flour
lshing town, with several mills and manuactur-
ing establishments; population and business equal
to any place on the river. 1t is ten miles below
Elgiu. Next is Geneva, two miles lower, the
country seat OF Kane, bat inferior in business 10
st. Charles. Next, Batavia, three miles south !;
Aurora eight miles further down. Oswego, five
further, and Bristol SIX miles, with Yorkyllle the
county seat of Kendall, opposite These all en-
brace good water-privileges. Below these, four
miles above the mouth of the river, IS the village
olDayton, at the falls OF the river, where is des-
cent of about twenty feet within half mile.
Tins place has a water power superior to that at
any other point on the river, with two good
Touring mills, and wooden factory in operation.
This valley, which SIX years since, purchased
from Ohio and Michigan large quantities OF pro-
visions, now sends down the lakes to market, its
hundreds of thousands of bushels Of wheat, besides
large quantities of pork, beef, wool, &c. With