The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-06-26
CHICAGO, May 2s, 1916

ShiCAeo, May %, ioAo.
Notes Of Travel in the Wes-M,mo,s--h Canals,
Railroads, Sc.-Facilities for Agricultsye, Stock,
&C., Sc.-Inteesting Particulars
The following Is hastily made up from notes by
the way, during a trip the present spring, from st.
LOUIS over part of northern Illinois and Wiscon-
sin, originally and mainly with view to see the
doings on the Michigan canal, since transportaton
began on that valuable work, already proved pow.
erful in stimulating trade, and the farmers around
to increase their grain crops, as is abundantly
shown by extended fields of spring wheat, corn,
&c, on the route. venture to send you these
sketches, trusting you may think the information
given may possibly prove of service to some of
your forty or sixty thousand subscribers and hun
dreds OF thousand readers, especially TO the ex-
pected emigrants from Europe, England in particu-
lar, of the class that have means to purchase and
stock farms; indeed, for all who labor-mechancs
farmers, shepherds, &c, &c:-all may, in the
range of country alluded to- find resources in SOIL
wants of settlers, &c., that will enable the indus
trlous and frugal to become possessed of adequate
income, IN few years, in the midst of most beau
tlful and varied scenery, richest, deepest soils,
most easily worked, and the most pleasant and
brightest climate in the United States.
From st. Louis on steamboat, upon the bosom
OF the "Father of Rivers" thence upon the River
Illinois, Preached Peru and La Sale, where for the
first time saw canal boats. (and beauties they
are) tor transit OF passengers, on the canal that
unites the great lakes with the Mississippi River
The hustle, activity, and quantities of goods pro-
ducts, &C., moving each way were great--so in
contrast with that quiet terminus of the canal but
month or two previous, that the mind is led to look
forward, halt doubling from the great and sudden
(maglcaD change. year, or three or more, when
the business, as Is usual IN the favored sections
and points OF the West. will have expanded ten,
felt the favorable influence of cheap freights to the
great northern and eastern mart Chicago, by n
rise in price OF grain of Is to rs per cent. La Sale
Is not pretty place, but will be large town. ex-
banded by trade induced by the canal. Along by,
and diverging from the canal on either side, the
country exhibits valuable land for farming but
some OF 1t is rather too tame and fiat for agreeable
scenery. There are several furnishing towns
ton, Nc, and Ottawa and Ioist take lead Prices
of land for farming along the borders of the canal
and say 20 miles either way, range from eight
ten, to twenty-five dollars per acre, about all Of
cage is now large town--city-say Of 1900 in
habitants, and ere ls49, doubt not will have in
creased to over 10000. Matters don't go slow in
the west. Indeed, the rapidity with which cities
with population. The projects of canals and rail-
roads; the increase on lakes and rivers of steam
ers, propeers and sailing vessels astonishes all ;
especially those raised in the old countries; and
tor those to believe, they must see, as there has
been no parallel in Europe at any age, much less
the last century. The country around Chicago,
for fourteen or eighteen miles, is not agreeable,
being nearly dead flat, and wet at periods; roads
consequently bad. But about Fox River, the
country greatly improves in all respects, and con-
tInues to; especially in scenery, elevation, and
slopes and rolls ut the pralrles with soils sur
passed in the west for richness and depth, as the
traveller moves westerly or northery. After pass
ing few days, and very satisfactorily, in the
"Clty of Gardens" (Chcago), a kiad friend took
me. in his buggy to Fox River, along part of it,
and thence toward Rock River. The borders of
ENv rv1I &c. l.
considerably settled, and most of the. land taken
for FARMS the prices of which range from eight to
eighteen or twenty dollars per acre, according to
position, &C. Mills, villages; stores, &c., abun-
dant.
From Geneva, on Fox river, we wandered in
about south-westery course. The country
pleasant, soil good, timber not abundant, nor is 1t
sufficiently watered for many extensive stock
farms. was surprised, and agreeably so, to see
so many farms, villages, &C., dotted so extern
slve tract OF country, as say from Chicago to Fox
river: and onward to Whitesides county, through
which Rock river runs, always had in sight
several farms, and frequently ten or twenty, with
village now and then, and good flour and saw
mills; yet, It's only some twenty years ago since
the first settlers moved upon this range of Illinois
The last year brought in far more than the number
gins to be known and appreciated, though steamers
do not run through It. Considering the crcum-
stances, the number of stock, as cattle, Sheep hogs
&c. are numerous, and they yield the husbandmen
liberal profits, II properly cared for, | observed
much neglect, carelessness, with sOvenly farming,
fencing, &c. We found the roads excellent, when
beyond the Ridge, say IA miles from Chicago.
Post offices are very numerous for country SO
sparsely settled
When approaching Rock River, say twenty or
more miles before reaching 1t, there was decided
Improvement in the surface of the country-less
iame-more elevated slopng and rong-soil at
least as good; and, thought, better: The views
are lovely; all fresh, verdant, and mingled so
much with the ntile. What a refuge for the
thousands who will leave Europe, seeking home
where all is safe, and advancing-where, with
small amount of means, all may possess farms that
will afford competence if well worked, and in
few years, give the, possessors independence.
Here the choicest, richest spots of land, may be
bought so low in price, that the possessor may,
and not fear disappointment, look forward to the
period when his farm will be worth four or six
times what it cost, and within ten years. We
meandered with the river-that most beautiful
river with high, clean banks, and bottom of stone;
current flowing at the rate of two to three miles
per hour, and the water clear as though lust from
springs), keeping quite near it, generally moving
up stream, say northery, toward Wisconsin,
enjoying It's pretty and, at times beautiful scenery
As we moved up more elevated spot, command
ing views OF ten or twenty miles In every drecton
causing us Companion and self to sigh that we
could not now here pitch our tent for life, and at
once throw into the stream the baited hook among
the thousand fish of various kinds that sport-
ing In the crystal waters, | could not restrain
borrowed a rude, heavy pole (small trce), with
coarse tackle, and basket to take minnows for
bait and at II we went, and within half an hour
killed over 70lbs Of black bass pike, &C. selected
some of the best, threw them into our vehicle, and
drove on. They were fried where we passed the
night, and delicious they were believe that
with two anglers we could have filled three or
four barrels with hsh ia as many hours.
We learned'in Whiteside county, that the land
down river, until within six or eight miles Of the
Mississippi became fat and swsmpy But above,
especially in Lee, Ode, and up to Winnebago
counties. In the Two former some Of tn. most
admirable, perfect crmbInsfons for farming and
scenery, that We saw in Illinois or elsewhere
prairie of various surface, from level to gentle
slopes, and rolling, with now and thin deep, wild
ravines and elens-a pleasing vari ty, rs matter of
taste, and, in some degree, useful. Tnen running
over, through these places, streams OF pure, never
failing water tor stock, ne, and, IN the midst a
grove of ancient forest trees, OF 200 to 900
acres. Such torn the perfect combustion for