The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-06-21
Our Illinois Correspondence.

ALTON, Illinois, May 49, 1858.
The Ride from the Hudson to the Mississ,ppa-The
valleys ofthe Mighty River-1he Western Rail
roads-Aiton-hs Scenery and Prospects-Real
Estate-1fadc-Ma Manufactures, &c. &c.
left your good city, by the Hudson river train at
six o'clock on Thursday morning, and have now to
report mysefa Alton, Ull.,) from which place
have an extensive view Of the mighty Father Of
Waters" and Mother of Floods" After being
buried in the mud, and strangled by the dust of the
Empire City, it is douby grateful to catch a pure
breath of air, and hear the bnbblng of the strong
rivers, as they roll on in their serpentne course,
through valleys of fresh grass, sweeping the fragrant
blossoms from the over hanging trees.
/ was bat three days from the waters Of the blue
Hudson, to those of the murky Mississippi and one
and half days to this place. via Buffalo, Cleveland,
Toledo, Chicago, and Rock Island railroads, and
steamboat down the Illinois river. Had the Rock
Island Railroad connected at Chicago, could have
accomplished my journey day and half sooner.
By lst November next, that part OF the Dwight road
between Springfield and Bloomington, will have
been completed, and then trip can be made in six
ty hours. The connection will be made by means of
that part of the Illinois Central Railroad between
Bloomington and Lasalle, now completed which
win accomplish the grand disderatum.
1t is Mr.. Dwights intention to continue lis road
direct to Chicago via Joliet. A principal part OF
the line is nearly graded, and the rails have been
purchased, and are now on the way from Wales.
When this road is finished an air line will hayebe
established between the two great cities Of Illinois
all the distance by misunderstanding the Mssis
sppi with the lakes and the lakes with the Atlantic
Ocean, Mr.. Dwight deserves unqualified praise for
this immense enterprise, and ne could with great
proprety be STYLED the Railroad King Of the West
He undertook this almost single banded, and under
unpTopitious circumstances, but he has pushed 1t
forward with degree of energy characteristic Of the
man. and unequalled by any undertaking OF the kind
in the country
The road passes through tue very richest portion
of middle Illinois great part Of which is in the
highest state Of cultivation and might with all pro-
priety be called the garden spot OF the western
world. The stock must ultimately prove very yaua-
Die. It is held mostly by Mr.. Dwight and his friends,
and see no alternative but that it must accumulate
princely fortunes for all concerned.
The season is much more forward here than on
the sea board nature is putting forth her rarest
gems, and
!" Hill and dale robed in gorgeous green "
| Wheat is in an advanced state, and the immense
fields Of grain spread out as Tar as the eye can reach
bending its graceful heads at every wind, Is sight
/ full of beauty ] saw this morning several stalks
that were quite filed out measuring i've feet ID
height
Alton ~ DeauJl1ully located on tne east Dank Ol
the Mississippi, three miles from the mouth OF Mis-
| souri, and nineteen miles below the Illinois, Its
central position is very commanding, from the fact
that il is situated on bend, or curve oil the river
thirty miles nearer to the interior towns than any
other point the river. 1t is in fact the only place
where town can be built, because Of the almost in
accessible bluffs above, and the American bottom
below Alton is therefore destined 10 become the
metropolitan city of Illinois, and the formidable rva
of st. Louis. The adoption OF the State Policy
so called by the Legislature of Illinois, vii
eventually build up commercial towns and citie
within her own borders, and prevent the commerce
of her people from enriching a neighborng city ant
State
Judge Hawly, of Kentucky, formerly resident o
Alton predicted years ago that Alton would, at NJ
distant day. become the great centre Of commerce o
the Western Valley; that the manufacturers OF tn
North the planters of the South and the merchant
of the great East, would simultaneously seek Altol
as market for their goods and products, by the ali
OF that iron horse who traverses in thousand direc
tions, our noble land, needing no impediments, bu
rushing over mpetuous torrents, and through ada
mantine mountains, marking his path with richie
and national prosperity. Already have part OF tn
Judges predictions proved true, and the day Tor IN
fulflment Of the prophecy-then considered not ON
unleasible but amusing In reality not far Oh.
The "Tsrre Haute" and Mississippi road term
mates here, and the Jacksonville and Green Count
road, now contemplated, will also come TO TINS POM
The former road has been very unnecessarily dc
layed in its construction, from st. Louis influence
and other causes OF personal nature.
Real estate, on account Of these improvements, ha
rapidly advanced The citizens are awakened ono
more to their true importance, and commentator
spirit OF enterprise appears TO exist everywhere amon
them. There have been recently established here
large car factory, two iron foundres, and severa
other manufactures on on extensive scale success
a. them. Tx eisior seems to be the cry, ana IN
march Of improvement is onward, ST,NIeAoLAs,