The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1850-01-29
Western Correspondence.
MARSHALL, Mich, Oct. 1S4o.


We left the port of Buffalo on the AT
lahtic," at o'clock in the morning. This
Steamer is one of the first class boals, ply
ing upon the waters between the ports of
Buffalo and Detroit. 1t runs in connection
with the Michigan Central Rail Road line,
and makes lis trips in about eighteen hours,
distance of 30i miles. A few years since,
when the first steamer made the trip in two
and half days, il was thought fit 10 be the
occasion Of much cheering and loud ap-
plausc. Now, period Of IS 10 20 hours
is quite sufficient for the same feat such is
the onward march of improvement.
We made no stay in Detroit, but depart
ed Immediately for Marshall, l09 miles
west Of - port When within four miles
Of that place, we met an eastern train OF
cars in no very envable condition. The
rails here were fiat, and the road poor.
The engine, coming in contact with
snake-head, was thrown from the track,
and our vision was greeted with iractur-
ed cars, broken barrels OF -four, bed-steads
and bedding, chairs and paper rags, strown
10 the four winds. We soon vacated our
seats and pissed around The broken mass,
where freight train was in readiness to
take US on.
Marshall is the capital of Calhoun coun-
tv, built on the Kalamazoo River. 1t is
situated on the line of the Michigan Cen
trail Rail Road, al mid-dIstdnce between
Detroit and New Buffalo, 1t now is
place of considerable importance, though
sixteen years since its site was a wilder
ness, inhabited by savnges. 1t spreads
over large extent Of sround-lhe main
stree, being over Two miles in length. 1t
has good Touring mills, and commands
large trade In the rear of the village. and
cont .'uous 10 il, is mound, covering a.
bout an acre in extent, studded with tall
oaks, and overgrown with grass. 1t is
owned by a lawyer in the city of New
York, who places high value upon il, as
building lot. This was chosen as the place
for the first A griculural Fair ever held in
the Co. or State. /; deserves passing no.
ticc. Michigan was so recently a wilder
ness, that it gives additional interest 10 an
occasion OF this kind. The Society was or
ganzed last winter, and held ils FIRST annu-
al fair on this ground, on the goth and 2lst
days of September The location was one
Of the best possible, being elevated so as
to overlook the whole village. The wealth
er was milo and beautiful, and The aiten>
dance large. The specimens oi domestic
animals would have done honor 10 older
States. There were some fine Devon and
Durham cattle, aud few full blooded Me-
rino sheep, all looking we'll The speci-
mems of farming implements were lew, but
excellent models Of taste and utility. The
department Of domestic manufactures ex-
h.biied mnch skill and ingenuity, and the
finely wrought flowers, an@ rich needle
work displayed upon the various bed COW
ers, spoke well for the ladies. The pomo>
logical department excelled anything o! the
kind we ever SAW in older States. The
dairy department was poorly supplied with
specimens, but the few looked well. The
aoral department was crcditable and even
meritorious. There was a large display
Of flowers with botanic and common names
attached, which attracted much aitcnlon.
The address was delivered on the aier-
noon of the first day of the Fair, by Lieut..
Gov. FENroN, who spoke in an unostenia-
Iious style, and elected much applause from
the hearers. 1t was well merilcd vulogy
on the profession of the farmer, showing,
by the clear light Of trnh, that this was
the basis Of all others. He drew a beautl.
lul picture of The Pioneer going into the
woods with his axe, and the subsequent
changes, by which all other employmenls
are brought into requisition, as the wilder
ness is gradually transformed into cultiva~
led farms, villages, and cities.
Alter this exercise, The multitude repair
ed 10 grounds appointed for the ploughing
match, TO witness the exploits oil tue plough
man. There were several competitors, but
The prize was awarded 10 a son Of the EN-
erald Isle.
Next year, Calhoun county Fair will be
enriched by much larger number Of com
petilors, and greatly increased stock ol
specimens in every department. 8. p. R.