The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1854-05-27
Correspondence of the Perrysburg Journal.
ST. PAUL, NJ. T, May Is, 1885,

quGSL, Ill prove lle edrlleSC leisure uOur &c
give you few notes of my route here. From
Adrian, on Monday, the Sth inst, took the
morning train at 81 o'clock, and arrived al
Chicago at 2 p. M. left at 50, and arrived
at Peru a s., where the cars lie over till 4
In the morning, at which time we left fol
Rock Island, where the cars arrive at 50. Pc
ru and Lasalle are at the head of navigation
on the Illinois river, and al the termination
of the Michigan & Illinois canal. To ac-
commodate the business on the Illinois river,
three trains run daily from Chicago, while
but two go through to Rock Island. Lasalle
and Peru are flourishing towns, situated in
the center of fertile and improved agricul-
tural district, they have good country trade,
and do large forwarding business. The
town of Joliet, 38, Morris 81, and Ottawa
IS miles south of Chicago, and all on the H.
linois river, bear evidence of thrift The
railroad crosses the Illinois at Joliet, and
runs down on the west side below Peru, un-
til it bears off west towards the Mississippi.
The country from Chicago to Joliet is almost
entirely prairie, and very level down the
Illinois it is not quite so fiat, and on the
banks of the river there is considerable tim
ber; but Immediately west the groves of
timber are few and far between, and so con-
tinue to Rock Island. The cultivated farms
are very scattering, the buildings and fences
mostly poor, and their general appearance
indicates that they intend to take the world
in the easiest possible manner. The fences
were from 81 to 4 feet high, and a few of
barred construction were made of rails hard
ly half the common size. Some fields which
bore the appearance of having been cultiva-
ted for several years, were without fence
There was also another kind of fence, two
rails high, the lower raised from the ground
about two feet by stakes. The cattle and
horses and hogs must be very different from
any with which have ever been acquainted,
or these fences would be no protection to
crops.
The railroad strikes the Mississippi six miles
above the city of Rock Island, and first pass
es through the village of Moline, at the head
of the Island. The city lies three miles be-
low, at the foot. The island is three miles
in length, and on an average half mile in
width, and contains nearly one thousand
acres. The rapids commence some twelve
miles above, and terminate at the foot. At
the foot of the island stands old Fort Arm
strong, built in 1916, but now abandoned.
Half the distance, on the north side of the
island, is the residence of the late Col. Da-
venport, of whose brutal murder and the
subsequent discovery, arrest and execution
of the murderers you will doubtless recollect
The island, with the exception of quarter
section given to Col. Davenport, belongs to
the U. States. A bill has been reported in
the house of representatives, ordering its
sale; but the people of the cities Of Rock
Island and Davenport are opposed to having
it sold. They wish to have government i'm
prove it for some national purpose, which
will call for large disbursements of public
money. A railroad bridge is building across
the river near the lower end Of the island,
just above the old fort The inhabitants of the
two cities, was told, were generally in favor
Of or indifferent to it. This is little sur
prising, but is a fair illustration Of that mar
row contracted selfishness which will sacri-
flee permanent good to temporary benefit.
By the papers see that below there was
decided opposition to it, as tending to inIure
commerce by obstracting the navigation of
the river. The chamber of commerce of st.
Louis have lately adopted decided resolutions
against it, and called upon the cities on the
river to join with them in an effort to have
the company enjoined from proceeding; but
the railroad interest is getting SO strong that
it has become hard to hold nayigable streams
free from blockade. r.
Since the completion Of the Chicago &