The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1851-09-19
indiana Citses..Taktug q Stranger
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indiana Cisses--Taktng n Stranger
Through.
The State Journal makes the following predic-
sion, 70 the relative sizes of the largest cities
In Indiana in 1860, after the manner in which We
led OF . few months back. except that its predic-
ton does not agree with those made BY the gen.
slemen gathered in our sanctum, and which we
published. The Journal classes them
H.. Indianapolis; ID. New Albany;
Sd Evansville; 4th. Lafayette;
5th. Madison; 9th. Tene-Haute.
A few days ago the State Journal said that in /
twelve or fifteen years, Evansville would be the
second city in the State. If then, in the opinion
Of the editor, we are to overtake ant pass New
Albany so soon, We do not think it will be long
thereafter before Evansville will stand first on the
List, by the Journals idea of progress. But we
think If stranger to all the places were to visit
each, and study its advantages, and compare the
advantages OF all, and considering the larger
cities nearly of the same size now he would be
very apt to place Evansville first in 1866. He
would scarcely predict that ten years hence,
which in this age of progress is almost half a
century ofby-gone times, an inland city, what
city in Indiana. Nor would he be likely to place
New Albany first, situated as it is in the imme-
diate vicinity Of Kenlucky's most fourishing
city, which is the second or third city in the West
in point of population. Nor after gazing at the
limited advantages of Madison, consisting of the
Ohio river, one railroad, and four Kilkenny dali
ly papers, and within halt days travel of the
two largest cities in the West-it could occupy a
higher position than third rate, ten years hence.
As for Lafayette and Terre t!aute, the greater
part ofthe year they are inland towns, and though
pretty and business-like and flourishing places,
they have neither the railroad advantages of In
dianapolis, nor the river advantages OF New AL.
bany and Madison; and the stranger would
doubtless let them remain on his list where the
State Journal has placed them.
But see here, stranger, open your eyeS Here
you are at last, in the Cincinnati of Indiana
Don't mind those jealous fellows in the villages
you have Just been studying, but gaze at u.s.
Atnt We a spectacle! See the new houses crowd
ing on each other as if they were actually fight
ing for ground What are they tearing down those
big buildings forl Inquisitive are youl-why to
put up bigger ones in their places. But can't
stop to answer questions. This immense wharf
you see, he second largest in the West, is in the
winter season, our real season of business crowd
from end to end almost, with pork corn, and pro-
duce generally, from the Wabash river, all the
immense trade Of which centres at Evansville
and is worth more to the city than the Ohio river
probably is to Madison and New Albany-and
with produce from White River, emptying into
the Wabash-and hogsheads of tobacco from
Green River, the mouth of which is eight mile.
above. This last trade formerly went to land
ing up the river you have probably heard Of call.
ed Louisville, but things have changed, and now
1t nearly all comes here. Thus you perceive
my dear sir, that while Madison and New AL
bany frUm their proximity to larger places, are
made merely stopping places for boats, Evans
vile is the depot of the Wabash, White and Green
River Vallies; and in the winter season, we
have regular packets TO the first and second riy.
ers and all the year to the third-bringng us and
depositing with merchants, almost incon-
ceivable amounts Of produce, and taking back
merchandise. or whatever the people of those
thickly settled vallies desire. And when the
Ohio is in good order, you can see the creates
steamers that run on the river. dropping down
from Louisville light, to receive their cargoes
here; and even the mighty boats of The Missis
sippi, led by the big Uncle Sam, leaving Sain
Louis to ask living from Evansville, and de
parting from here laden to the guards yet thei
cargoes scarcely missed {. ON the piles at tn,
wharf. Is il possible? Certainly it is, sir; an,
sieamboatman will tell you It's all fact, anc
that the half has not been told Talk abou
Madison and New Albany and Indianapolis
why, sir-but you would not believe us if W,
we're TO tell all about our river advantages an,
doings.
That buildingl Why that's the depot of tn
Evansville and Illinois Railroad-be complete,
this fall TO Princeton twenty-seven miles, thel
continued about the same distance to Vincennes
beautiful place, sir, on the Wabash river, wher
Mr.. John R. Jones lives. 1t will connect ther
with The Terre Hauie railroad, and then unit
US with indianapolis and all her roads, whicl
take you Just TO airy place you want to go thi
side OF England. At Princeton We expect 500
to be joined by railroad running across Illinoi
TO S. Louis.
That riverl Why that's the great Wabas
Erie Canal, over four hundeed miles long, tn
longest in the world probably, and CONNECTING
Evansville with the Lakes. At this end Their
is to be basin over a mile long and sixty fee
wide. The canal is completed twenty miles oul
and crowds Of iaborers are now engaged in con
meeting the completed parts, so that in a lttl
over one year. the rtole Canal lciH be finished
You cant imagine its influence on onr cityl n
sir, you are right-no man can imagine the 10
nuence of such magnificent work that cit
which is its Ohio river depot, passing as the Ca
nal does throrrh The ,rre,t " .hash Vallor an