The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1854-01-14
Correspondence Of The Cecil Wig.
Letter from the West.-NO. 6.
XEVAH INnlANA Dec Doth 40

| SEVAI, INDIANA, Dec. 29th, %.
The toun Of Veray-the grape cuifure-taste Of
the German population schoois-he coumtr,
about Icray-Hoosier ho,pi aiity-log -cabins-
the system Of tarmins-anecdote IF Senato'
Dougias-goimg 10 bed, &c.
Vevav Is about equal distance between
Cincinnati and Louisville. 1t is tn,
county seat of Switzerland county, Ia
and was settled in 1904, by a number OF
Swiss families, to whom Congress made
grant of land for the purpose of com
menclng the cultivation of the grape.
The grape was extensively cultivated
} by them for number of years, but is
now nearly abandoned, few small
vineyards only--and those in languish.
ing condi,ion-being at present found
in this neighborhood.
There are some very fine vinegar DIS
above Vevay, in the neighborhood OF
CINCINNATI, that are profitably cultivated.
These present quite beautiful appear
ance from the river, being planted on
terraces formed on the hill-sdes. The
dwelling houses on those grape plan,a.
tons, display much neatnsss. They are
universally low, built of brick, and stand
on bluffs which are planted round about
with cedar trees; and the yards tasteful.
ly ornamented with shrubbery. In fact
the premises of those German grape
growers, are the only places along the
Ohio river that "look like living"
But to return to Vevay. The town
during the days of the original settlers,
never grew to be place of any note,
with the exception of grape growing,
the policy OF its SwiS settlers, be-
They refused to dispose of their lands
to Americans, or to build up the town,
and thus make it place to invite trade
and emigration. Since the "old-s,ock,"
however, have gone the SWAY of all the
earth" the place has improved consider,
ably. 1t has now many fine buildings
seven or eight schools, two churches,
one printing Office, and several stores.
1t is not likely, however, to be a place
OF much importance, the inland trade
being taken away from it by ne,ghbor-
ing towns along,he coast. 1t has popu-
they rank high, | should say.
The town of Vevay stands on high
plain, and is inclosed by high rugged
hills, and living among those hills IN log
cabins, you will find the boosters; and
more warm.hearted, trough and ready"
people you will seldom meet with. The
hills are very steep mostly terminating
in sharp cone like points, with winding
values, through which silver streams
meander. The base of those hills are
cultivated by the inhabitants, who ten.
ant the log-cabins that are thickly in.
trrsper sed among them The river,
however, is their main dependence for
livelihood, but the timber is gradually
tisap, tearing before the steady march Of
their industry, and the axe followed by
the pillow is sterniy moving up toward
the forest summit.
Their hoosler system of farming, ap-
peared very slov-nly to me, and | enjoy
some hearty laughs at them. They raise
bu, little stock, some poultry, and ola
very inferior quality, spectators having
purchased, and driven off their best cat.
tie, horses and hogs; leaving the short
sighted settlers the ''scragens.
Tho the boosters lack that artistic
sksll-if may so term tin et,quett,
which is distinguishing characteristic
in the eastern people, yet we are at once
reconciIed TO their unceremonious hos.
pitali,y, because we know 1t is light
from the heart. There is, for instance,
| no changing of plates at meals, for diff
terent dishes, but they seem to take the
old Frenchman's saying for their motto.
"Py shure can eat after myself"
The western people are proverbially
noted for matrimony, but nevertheless,
| find some of their cabins we'll supplied
with younggirls. Those cabins frequent.
fy have but one room, where the family
eat, sleep, and live altogether; and east
ern people who travel among them will
be often reminded of Senator Douglas
anecdote. The Senator was once caught
in quandary about going to bed in one
of those single roomed cabins. The
statesman was shown his bed, and told
that he might retire when he chose, but
here serious obstacle presented itself to
the orator. A young lady, in place of
making some excuse for withdrawing
herself, still maintained her position by
the log-6re-which is always part and
parcel OF log cabin.-Douglas, being
forced, at length. to make virtue Of
necessity, unrobed in a summary man
ner, made dive beneath the blankets,
and the mschievous girl bidding him
good night. remarked, "you have a fine
ankle, sir"
"Retlr,ng" under such crowded cir.
cumstances, is like "Popping the ques-
tion," or bathing in cold water, just as
easy as "talling off log" when you