Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1855-11-03

100 miles through the centre of Ohio
The country around Newark and Zanes-
vile is very fne, but the greater portion
Of our route was through low wet land,
frequently interrupted by steep bluffs. AZ
Monroe we took tie Cleveland and
Toledo road to the latter place. The coun-
try along this part of our route was yefy
fine. lg places, the prairie covered with
corn. streached out before the eye like
great sea but night soon came upon US
and we are unable to give any description
of Toledo or the county, until we come
within about SO miles OF Chicago. where
day dawned upon US on Sunday morning.
We were then travelling over the South-
ern Michigan Railroad, which we had
taken at Toledo at L l clock the night
previous. The sun rose beautifully upon
us, while we were being hurled over a
barren sand. ipterspeised with ponds, at
the rates Of 40 miles per hour. About 8
o'clock a. NJ, we arrived at the great
city OF Chicago. She is the Babylon of
America. The day was as balmy and as
mild as any one desires; and the streets
were thronged with the inhabitants.
There was a great funeral procession
IN the morning, id which there was
great deal of paseaatry and wealth dis
played. 1t was German funeral. There
are many large and fine churches in this
city. heard discourse in the evening
at one OF them. which was certainly one
of the best have ever heard, IN point of
language and manner. The business Of
Chicago is iumense, and from present in
dicatops it must continue to grow lap
idly tor many years.
On Monday, the 18th, we took through
tickets 70 this place. distance Of about
$40 miles, via the Chicago and Freeport
and the Central Illinois Railroads to Dun
leath, on the Mississippi river. and thence
by the large and elegant new steamer.
'Galand." up the river. The train from
Chicago to Dunleath was immense; con-
sisting, at times. of as high 10 or IA
large passenger and baggage cars The
passengers on that train were estimated at
from five to eight hundred. There had,
an hour previous. been cent out large
train of euligrants, so taat think it is
fair to estimate the number Of passengers
upon the two trains at about 1000; but
this, learned from some Of the passen-
gers, was an unusual number.
The Illinois Central Railroad extends
from the mouth of the Ohio river through
the centre of the State, north and west, to
Dunleath, distance OF about N miles.
This road has been constructed by COM
pany, to whom the large amount OF pub
lie lands donated by Congress To that
State, were given by the Legislature OF
Illinois, upon condition that the company
would build this long road. learned
nom all intelligent citizen that the lands
donated have SO rapidly increased in price
that after paying the entire expense Of
making the road, that there will be about
six million dollars worth OF land remain
ing as clear gain. The State, however,
has a reservation Of seven per centum Of
the earnings OF the road. There is great
deal of prairie in the northern part of Hi
ncis, most of which is good but there is
a great want of water and timber. On
Fox and Back rivers the lands are very
fine, and well waiered.
On Tuesday, at II o'clock, the Steamer
started with US from Dunleath, up the Mis-
sissippi river. heavily laden, aud at s
o'clock this morning {1'hursday) she land
ed US at the far-iamed st. Paul. The
number of passengers on board were esti-
mated BY the mate at 50o but think
there were hot quite so many,
The upper Mississippi river ranges from
one TO two miles wide, anu SO full of
islands that there are very few places
where you can see the entire width Of il
On both sides Of the river, from Dubuque
aud Dunleath, for distance O! about $50
to 500 miles, there are high bluffs, with
occasionally high projecting rocks, pre-.
senting the most romantic and beautiful
scenery, only surpassed by that at Harpers
Ferry. These bluffs. we acre told, ex-
tend in places, several miles back into the
country. These bluffs, as they are called,
are small detached ridges of about half
mile long, presenting themselves in a.
mos, every conceivable form. They are
covered with low scrubby growth of
timber. and with grass where there is 20
timber.
The selmate here, now, is the most re-
freshing and pleasant have ever felt
To-day il is rather too warm for much ex
ercise in the sun with comfort. We are
told, aud our experience thus fs. confirms
il, tina, the weather IN Minnesota is no.I