The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1853-09-22
GAZETTE coR,xspoNDSNcE.
IxpTASAoLls, Sept.
Mr.. SANDERS:

Mr.. SANDERS:
Here am, and here have
been in this lovely. flourishing. "Forcs'
City," this city Of Railroads, for some five
or six days, greeted by smiling faces ane
warm hands OF many cherished acquaintan'
ces. after a separation OF more than 70 years
| leave in few hours by way Of Lafayette
Michigan City and Chicago for the lovely
Time nor space will allow me to present
your numerous readers with even n birds, eye
lew of the present prosperity and antlcl.
pated progress of this young, lovely city
OF course many know it to be the perma.
nent Capital Of Indiana. $4,000 inhabitants
are said to be here, and | do not doubt it.
The city is situated ON the west bank of the
White river, which, except for small boats
in time Of high water, is unnavigable. A
half dozen railroads centre here and more
are coming. The national road, the best in
the United States. passes throughit. State
square is magnificent Nature made it beau
tiful. but art has made il lovely. The State
House is situated little from the centre
and surrounded with ornamental and forest
trees. from the kingy oak to the stunted
Buckeye" The house is low, with heavy
dome, cornice and roof, supported in part by
some "a massive, fluted columns, sufficient
to bear up Bunker Hill with its lofty monu-
ment. The windows are small, and out
wardly in decaying condition.
The Governors circle is lovely by nature,
but deformed by art. The House is in d.
lapidated condition. and was never inhabited
or tenanted by any Governor of the State,
vet in some way made hallowed by being
the deathplace of a distinguished divine, Rev
Mr.. Strange, of the Methodist persuasion.
The Court House square is well orna-
mented and perhaps contains comfortable
house, but outward appearances do not war
rant the conclusion. The Blind Asylum is
indeed grand structure. l regret that
did not view its interior. Its outward APP
pearance is beautiful, and in view of the
charitable purpose for which it was built, is
quite imposing.
Many fine houses are being built which
when added to those already finished will
give the place a city-lke appearance. Mr..
H. Bates has erected splendid house some
2lo by 90 feet stories designed for hotel.
and is now ready for the reception Of furni-
ture, though am not certain that he has as
yet rentedit.
A forest of heavy timber surrounds this
place on every side, which would look for
bidding to none less nerved than Milo"
who wished to "open farm II Is, how
ever, gradually melting away and in few
years where now tower the sturdy oak, the
lofty poplar, and snoothed-bark beech, will
be fields of waving grain.
Who can anticipate the greatness of this
happily situated young city, surrounded as
she is by the best agricultural country in the
State, approached on every side by railroads,
and being the capital of a giant young and
free State, 1t were useless to prophecy
but | will venture to say, however, that in
lf1n, ythaR fifty years her inhabitants will
Time will not allow me to indulge in detail
/ leave this pleasant place with deep re-
luctance, but not without the hope Of soon
again seeing it. Yours, &c.
~