The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-09-11
LEXINGTON, LAFAYETTE COUNTY, |
Missouri Aupust a. 1853.


TIE TiHags Lands aud Pru,7e- Cipa,Sed and
Savage Lifs-Lafayette County-Ks appearance,
Population, Houses and Crops Hemp Culture
--Leringtoa and its Location--Pablic Bnld-
tags. and Popular Teaching Young America
At Home Theatres, Sports, &c., &c.
As you desire information from every part of the
world and never get any from this it has occurred
TO me that, perhaps, = short letter from place
which, bot lew years ago, was called the "dim and
trackIeas regions Of the West" might not be wholly
devoid Of interest to your numerous readers.
The writer was asked, when once in the East, if
the people here did not live in log cabins and they
had anything to eat but corn bread and bacon
Perhaps many who have never travelled so far west
are in the same state Of "blissfu ignorance" as my
hopeful querist, and would be glad to be enlight
enei.
But one county nteryenes between this and the
western boundary OF the State. There you pass, at
a single step, from civilized to savage life. This
boundary line is defined by long lines Of fencing en-.
closing highly cultivated farms, ornamented with
beautiful residences, from which the eye roems over
vast expanse Of rich. undulating, and almost I'M
Inhabited prairie The change is sudden and strik-
ing, ard forms remarkable example Of the prscti-
oal aDtitheses.
But to return to this county. Its soil is deep and
exceedingly productive; Its surface is rolling, pre-
senting in many places beautiful variety of wood
land and prairie it's population numbers l3 800 On
;ts north flows the tarbid waters OF the Missouri
From the bluffs Of this river may be seen almost
daily large snd splendid steamboats,, freghtsd with
| the rich produce Of the West, or bearing to us
the varied fabrics and Injuries from every part Of
! the world.
At this season the traveller. In passing through
iris county, will be struck with its freshness and
beauty--wi.t the large and well cultivated farms
With the number of fine country residences, sur.
rounded, many Of them, with shady groves and the
fragrant hemp field This is the greatest staple Of
The county. II is to the peculiar character Of the
soiln producing this important article in its great
esq perfecton--that the county Ia indebted for its
/ ropid increase in population and wealth. The an.
nua vane OF this crop, in this single county is est-
mated by the best informed PERSONS at half mil.
Ion Of dollars Land is worth from s25 to $40 per
| tcre, aud iD demand.
A carriage and buggy are such common vehicles,
that Il would require one uncommony splendid to
attract attention Looking at the snowy silk dresses
cut in the latest Partisan STYLE OF the fair occupants
OF some Of these carriages the stranger would be as
tonisted TO be told that fifty miles vest OF this the
| savage rams In his native wildness.
The city Of Lexington is the county seat II ia
/ situated on the south side Of the Missouri river.
| Commencing on the bluffs Il runs back mile or
more, ard contains many beautiful and stately
ednc@si among winch last may be mentioned the
Masonic College, the Female Collegiate Institute,
ArcaDs Hal, and the Court House. or churches
there are six, and in addition thereto is a curious an
tque looking edfce, with tower at one corner de-
nominated by some the Episcopal "Meetinn House.
The Female Collegiate Institute is built Of brick,
fronting LOG feet by 81 feet deep and Is three
stories high. To it Il attached wing, that runs
beck one hundred feet In this institution females
receive the most finished education, practical as we'll
90 ornamental. During the last year one hundred
and sixty.two young LADIES' attended it, exercises.
The tuition fees are low being from sixteen to TWEEN
~ dollars in the primary department and thirty dol
| lars ia the collegiate for the year.
The Masonic College vas founded by the Grand
Lodge Of the State Of Missouri few years ago and
is in highly fourishing condition. During the last
collegiate year, which has just closed it was attend
4 ed by one hundred and sixty students. The tuition
fees here, also, are low being twenty dollars In the
preparatory department per year. and thirty dollars
in the college. The annual examination Of the stu
dents, which took place recently lasted week. and
was highly interesting. Among other things, a gold
medal, prepared by the Grand Lodge, was contend.
ed for by FIVE OF the students II was TO be awarded
TO the one who should deliver the best orr enal speech
The speeches were made and did honor to the young
gentlemen and the institution, The medal VA