Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1853-12-23
Correspondence Of the Lcwisburg Chronicl-.I
ONEco, Stephenson Co., ILL.,, I
Dec. 10, 1858.

ouc Wuo HAS never speub d Wiutcl III
Illinois, has not lost one oc the most beau
tiful seasons. To stand on one of the
high prairies Of this country, on cold
day, and where the wind has nothing to
break its force or absorb its intensity, but
comes rushing on like an avalanche, and
of disposition "that must be felt to be
appreciated" is the best place that the
subscriber" ever was to enjoy the music of
the "speers" and hear the "wind whisper"
On tie morning of the Goth ult-, star
ted in company with three friends, in a
two horse carriage, from Rock ford, in a
northwest direction across the prairie to
Freeport. The morning was intensely
cold, but as the day advanced, the weather
moderated and became quite pleasant.
Travelling at this season of the year is not
very pleasant, at best; but when person
is Gagged up in a carriage, worrying through
mud of "sublimc depth" stopping at
every blacksmith-shop D." institution to re-
pair damages, is decidedly awful. We ar
rived at Frceport about 5 o'clock p. NJ.
This town (FreeporD is literal mud-hote,
aud not fit TO live in. 1t is meauly laid
out, aud reflects but little credit upon its
founder. With the railroad advantages
which it possesses, it is to be hoped that
it will soon take measures to make the
town worthy of its reputation. The Gale
ma & Chicago Union Railroad passes thro'
it, aud will soon be finished to the former
place, when there will be a continuous
railroad from the Atlantic to the Mississippi.
The grazing of the Southern Road, from
Madison, Wis, ria Freeport, to Dixon, has
been vigorously commenced, and will be
speedily completed. At Freeport, one Of
cur horses-a noble animal-sckened, and
fell dead in the harness, a very short time
after showing symptoms of sickness. We
had yet FIVE miles to our destination, which
we gained with the remaining horse.
The country between Rockford and
Freeport is eminently adapted to farming-
principally all prairie but the scarcity of
wood and water IS great objection ~
it, and accounts, in q grcut measure, fur its
being so thinly settled Many farmers,
living on this large prairie, have from 10
to l5 miles to wood. This--to one born
in the woods-is a great objection; and
hence the reason why so many Pennsylva-
mans have settled in this part Of Stephen
son county, which is well wooded, and a
great deal of a superior quality, principally
white oak, sugar maple, walnut, hickory,
ash, &c. The prairie land is hiily-rather
too much SO for successful farming That
Pennsylvania Dutchmen" live here, is
evident from the neatness and air of CON-
fort which surrounds the farm houses,
fenced fields, thriving orchards, fat babies,
&C., and very unlike the shabby appearance
of Yankees farm. A Yankee farmer
may make money, but he will nerer make
a y,od farmer
The market is not as good in this county
as in Winnebago, but is fast improving.
Wheat S0a90c Corn 3Oa40c Oats l5a
20 25c. in Frecport. The other market
ing ranges accordingly
Land is now selling too high here for
emigrants to purchase, and the Star of
Empire" has been moved out to Iowa,
whence thousands of emigrants are going.
Farmers here are selling their farms and
going there, where they can enter land at
Government priccs-sl 25 per ac.e-and
is said to be equal, if not superior, to Hi
nois land. Farmers, who bought land
here at Government price, and slightly
improved it, can now sell for SIS to $40
per acre. With this money they 60 to
Iowa, buy land, and have enough money
left to put under good improvement. They
will have, in very short time, as good a
market for their produce as they had here.
A railroad is projected to cross the Missis-
sippi, and, it is said, will soon be put un-
der contract, which will insure them good
market. | have not learned the name of
the road, nor the important points.
Yours, &c, E.