Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1850-1854, 1850-11-29

river, but extends the whole distance to Peoria
some Is or 20 miles. The Lake, if it may be call
ed such, is mile or two wide, and perhaps 80 feet
deep.
Two hours have passed since we left Lacon and
we now at Peoria, one of the best appearing
cities at the west and located on site which beau
ties self might envy. 1t is built on slope as
cending gradually from the west bank of the Rv-
er, and fine view is had of it from the deck of a
steamboat. Changing positions and ascending the
slope We have fine view of Peoria Lake, extend
ing northward beyond the reach of vision, and of
the River rolling southwark until in its meander-
ings it is hid from the view Ascending still far
Their from the River we glance over a large ex-
tent of country, which, like most of Northern IL
linois, may challenge the world for its superior in
beauty. Peoria is one of the oldest settled places
In the state-there having been small French vii
age or trading post here for along number ofyears
The era of its permanent settlement by Americans
however, dates back only to about 1920. Within
few years it has increased rapidly in population
and now numbers about 1000 Like other county
seats which we have recently visited it has its
modious brick court house. Here it is located in
prominent part of the city, nearly in the centre of
the public square. The "Peoria House." little
north of it, is huge structure-the largest hotel
we think which we have seen in the state out of
Chicago. Several churches rear their spires aloft
and a new one in process of erection will add ma
terialy to the appearance of the city. Here, as in
many much smaller places, the dual number lin
its the Press, the Peoria Register and Peoria Press
being the organs of the parties.
But bark, the bell rings, and if we would return
nancier which is just ready to depart. She is 60
ing up stream, and she has Barge to tow our
progress is far from being lightning like At sun
down, however, on the day after leaving Lacon we
find ourselves back again, but meanwhile the Riv-
err has risen so rapidly and overfowed its banks to
such extent that find our landing place is an
island and we are obliged to wade through the wa
ter in order to reach the village
And now what of these Illinois River steam
boats? Although not float ng palaces as are those
on the Hudson they are nevertheless very respec-
table in appearance and satisfactory their accom-
modations. The Financier, however, gave evident
signs of age and suggested to us by its constant
trembling and by the bar on board that it had the
de!irium hemens. We regretted to find bar in
both the Hilman and Financer-just as if they
were necessary appendages, and to see men walk
ing up to them just as though they ought not to be
ashamed of it. By the way SHE bar on board has
given more than one boat the deliriun, tremens as
those who guide her, made fools by liquor, have
dashed the noble structure on the rocks and sent
all on board to the bottom. How many of the
steamboat disasters which have happened within
the past few years may be traced to "the bar on
board"
Another thing which we regretted to learn, was
the utter disregard of the Sabbath which the pro-
prietors of these steamboats, manifest This occa
sions no little perplexity to those merchants who
are averse to receiving goods on Sunday, and an
effort was made few years since to have line OF
boats on this River which should lie by the Sab.
bath, but Christian zeal tagged and the enterprise
was abandoned. A new and more successful eff
fort may be made for this object hereafter.
EVANDER.