The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-07-18
Our DunIkirk Correspondence.

DraWtack to ats Prosperity Neo York Speciaa
tors, &c.
An elderly lady, living at the East, lately re-
marked to Il friend of mine, that she had never
heard Of Dunkirk until this spring, but now, she
could not take up newspaper but the first thing
she saw, was Dunkirk.
There are good reasons why this is so-substan-
tai why this place should be so frequently
mentioned Is it not the extreme western terminus
of the longest, widest, best managed, and most
romantic railroad on the face of the earth Beyond
t.for thousand miles, stretch the blue waters Of
inland seas washing the shores of States territories
and provinces, inhabited by millions of Industrious
producers; having tri-daily communication with
New York, at an expense Of only 50 in cash, and
eighteen hoars in time with q harbor open several
weeks earlier and closing several weeks later than
that of Baftao with a surrounding country, yet,
il is true, but imperfectly improved, surpassed by
bat few veinities in the world-with these advan-
.ages, natural and artificial, Dunkirk ought soon to
become n large commercial place LanguishiAg
for years. until its name was forgotten it has, OF
late, assumed an Importance in tho public eye
which will continue to increase until IL will take
rank amongst frontier cities, with Buffalo, Cleve-
land, Detroit, Milwaukee and Chicago, if-that
convenient if-but of this if hereafter.
A few months since Dunkirk presented sorry
sight. The ruins Of the breakwater, built years
ago, dist CURED its beautiful harbor; = dilapdated
wharf, and empty, decaying warehouses, told the
sad tale that enterprise had hed and the Imprinted
and scattered dwellings gave evidence of the alb,
energy and activity. Since that time, what changes
have taken place! Old stores are being reftted,
and new ones built, the wharf has been repaired
houses painted and beautifed, Eve or six steamers
per day visit its piers, the railroad trains bring and
take scores of passengers daily, the farmers with
their teams throng the streets, and life and activity
have, in measure, succeeded to stagnation and
repose Hundreds of shanties cover the outskirts
OF the town, and several dwellings are being built
The directors of the New York and Erie Railroad
Company, by their skilful management, judcious
liberaty, and Napoeon-like boldness, have contri-
buted much to these results. Already have they
built depot exceeding in size any in the United
states, have nearly finished car house and
chine shop covering acres of ground, have almos,
completed splendid pier eighty feet wide by six
hundred feet in leDghth, and have commenced tw
spacious warehouses on the wharf. The number of
men IN the employ of the company, in aud near tn
town, is about $500. The company have had to
contend with rival interests which threatened their
success. In order to complete their arrangements
for the conveyance Of passengers to the West they
were, OF course, obliged to charter boats, either
owned IN, or running from, Buffalo The natural
Jealousy of the Buialonians at this probable diver
sion of large portion Of their trade and travel,
infected also the owners and captains Of these
stoemers, so that they frequently failed to stop at
Dunkirk, according TO the stipulations of their
tract. This conduct has occasioned much incon.
vepicnce TO travellers and operated to the disadvan
tage and detriment, both Of the town and the CON-
pany. An instance, for example On Saturday
night last six or seven gentlemen, bound for Cleve-
lsna Cincinnati, Sc, arrived here by xpress tran
expecting 10 proceed Immediately for the West
but the regular steamer from Buffalo had not
riyed, and these parties were compelled to remain
lere until last night at twelve, when a steamer,
which had been expressly sent for, took them on
their journey. II is no fault of the management,
or Of their active and gentlemanly agent here,
that these detontions ana disappointments occur.
Mr. Loder the indcfatigable president Of the roal
was here last week, completing arrangements for
he geag Her flor Ituas of frat
class steamer will leave here direct for Cleveland,
Sandusky and Detroit. They will pro seed to Buff
falo, but start from ard arrive at Dunkirk. Most
Of the lake boats stop here their way up and
down. There is also daily line between here and
Buffalo; and hear IL Is in contemplation to put a
fast steamer on the line from here to the Canada
shore opposite The Buffalo and Dun Kirk Railroad
is graded nearly the whole distance; aud the Dun
kirk and state line road has com menced operations
westward. Yet, nOtwithst lnding all that has been
done, and is doing, strangers and residents alike
are much d,.ar1 onted at the appearance OF the
place. And there Is good reason for this. Dunkirk
should, at this date, have been twice its present
size. II should have doubled its popula lion, in
creased its trade twenty fold, and greatly have i'm
proved its appearance, ard added 10 it's hotel
mtdatlons within twelve months past. And 1t
would have done 80 but for one important cause
There but one weghy obstacle in the path Of its
progress TO rank and wealth. and # this is not re-
moved, IL will forever remain a mere gateway,
through which but n portion and that n small one
only. of the immense and Increasing trade and
| travel of the mighty West will pass. Remove il,
and its tuctcss " pcedy and certain Most OF tho
lad y IN the bands Of New York spectators, who
hole u az prices TAR beyond its value. They think
HAT people must aud will come here, and that they
can ohtain extInyagant rates for their property.
But they are driving the bone and sinew of the
lahd away: Know OF dozens who have visited
here with the intention Of scttlng-buildcrs, me
ehanics, merchants, &c, men OF moderate means.
but full u industry, intelligence and enterprise the
very men 70 build Up town like this. but they
have actually been dfiv en- away by the exorbitant
prices demanded for lots. What think you Of 500
Ter loot for lots Centre aud Front Streets near
the lake, and from hoo To- $500 being asked for water
fronts Of go feet, tGOo and $500 for building spot
quarter OF a mile, at least, from the landing l.
such course as this calculated to induce men to
settle Ii is alike injurious to all parties The
Inhabitants are much alarmed at the course of the
New lork property owners. They fear that the
growth and property Of Dunkirk will be seriously
retarded IL this state Of things continues Aud
their fears will certainly be realized for the history
Of the world pregnant with the fact that non-resi
dent lsndhoders are cursc to any people They
have no immediate sympathy with the Inhabitants -
no direct interest at stake. They buy fof specula
TONS sake alone. Aud yet how blind BY the
course they ATE pursuing. they will assuredly block
their own game Let some capitalist invest few
thousand dollars IN erecting block of tasteful and
COmmod.Ous war houses another put up q row or
two Of neat and convenient cottages another sell
PORTION of his block of fifty lots condition that 1t
shall be built upon within specified time another
assist an industrious merchant or artizan in com
Dencing business; and in a short time this far off
tosn would be the wonder Of the State, ana
OF inmerse profit to the interested parties. Then
would land boldc-s realize infinitely more than they
pttsiby can under present circumstances Dunkirk
VIII increase, but It's enlargement will be slow until
tle capital, hberality and exertioDs OF its land
owners are brought into active operation. | sim
c,rey hope that they will give this matter their
esirCst attention. ard satisfy themselves Of the
truths have here rels ed, IL for other reason
than that thei pockets deeply interested In the
result.