The Richmond Indiana palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1854-1855, 1855-10-18

almost every step taken through the city. Old
houses are being torn down TO give place TO larger
and more costly ones and those better calculated
to accommodate the extensive business done here,
in almost every branch Of commerce. and mschan-
ic arts. The city 10 also extending in every direc-
ton, except where confined by the lake. upon
which IL il situated. We were here in 1880, more
than % years ago and then there were but few
houses. and we believe bat one hotel We came
here then with OK teams, and now by railroad and
the great contrast IN the mode Of traaspertation
and travel is only equaled by the unprecedented
growth of the city. 1t was then mere village,
and but a very few resident citizens, but at that
time the only hotel 10 the place was crowded with
spectators in land, SO that every floor in the
house was covered with dodgers, masy of them
cutting prairie grass throwing it upon the floor
covering it with hsrse blanket buffalo robe
and taking as comfortable a sleep as the eircun-
stances would allow. Now, the fremont is one OF
the finest hotels in the Union; and if there Is any
on. thing which distinguishes this place above
other, it is its hotels-not only for their number,
but for their style and elegance In saun.ering
along one Of the principal streets, we noticed the
sign Burgess House We called 10, and found
Gs proprietor. and his facetous and fun-prevoking
brother. "5am Burgess" IS principal superinten-
dent II is one Of the most spienddy furnished
houses we have ever visited, and appears to be
excelled in style by any house in the city.
A quarter of q century has made city here of
not less, Including suburbs,) than 600 people
We have noticed one marked characteristics Of it.
population, aud that is that large majority OF
them ara foreigners, and many Of them are exten
sivey engaged in trade, but most Of them unable
to appreciate the field for spec alation and the
rewards of well directed enterprise are content to
plod on, by days labor 1t is sure way of making
a living and with the proverbial industry and
economy of the German, will eventually secure
competence.
The Illinois State Fair is to be held in this city
commencing on Tuesday next. There is quite o
number Of cattle on the grounds and the prepara-
tions upon most liberal scale. About 35
acres have been enclosed and all other fixtures
upon an equally extensive scale The executive
committee anticipate a large attendance Of the
people. shall not be able to attend it, on ac-
count of the Iowa State Fair being held at the
same time
This being the Sabbath have had no opportu-
nifty of looking at the business operations Of the
city. bat "ss car pass its streets or look at its
wharves without being convinced that the trade
is immense. 1t far exceeds my expectations.
leave in the morning Fer Rnrlingtnn anh sh al,
perhaps give you q brief note from that place. and
also from Fairfield.
Oae word in regard to railroads-and We advise
all travellers to evade if possible the New Albany
and Salem road, particularly that part between
Lafayette and this place / came 10 indianapolis
with the passengers who on the train when
the accident occurred at the Glands Fork bridge
None of them made any charges against the Com
pany, except the want of having it fenced; but at
Lafayette fell in with number of victims to
collision which had taken place that day between
two trains on the New Albany road, and they we're
very severe in their dsnuuca,iohs Of the officers Of
the road, and the manner in which it is conducted
We were ten hours coming from Lafayette, when
it should have been run in less than six, by their
advertised time They were behind time at almost
every stationhad no fire in the cars. and the pas
sengers suffered very much from the cold, partieu
larly the women and children. If you want to
come to this place. take some other route. III.
INpIANAPoLIs, Oct. IL, 1855
The train from Chicago brought Us to this city
last evening. We have net time to speak Of
the country we have visited and Travelled over for
the past week, further than An expression in the
most general terms. The country from Chicago
west 10 Burlington, is almost continuous prai-
rie-some Of it low sad wet. Others high and roll
ing. The soil, il general, is fertile and prolific
The crops look admirable, the principal being
corn. Burlington is another Of the unfinished
towns of the great West. The site is crcuEscri-
bed by high hills, which afford beautiful locations
for private residences, aud being improved
with much taste and elegance. The country from
Burlington to Fairfield, is mostly prairie, inter
sper.ed with occasional belts OF timber, but this 10
of en- Indifferent quality. The soil, however, is
generally good, and We might say uniformly fer
tile There ia, however. one objection to this dis
trict of country, which to US is unsurmeuntable-
it is the absence Of water The las; and present
season has been unusually dry. but the country is
destitute of streams and in the whole distance We.
passed but two or three streams Of water. and but
few Of even small creeks.
Mount Pleasant, the county seat o! Henry coun-
ty, is handsome location. and is thriving finely.
1t is expected that the railroad from Burlington
to this place will be completed in few months,
and the citizens have high hopes of prosperity in
its completion.
When we arrived at Fairfield, We found it
crowded with visitors in attendance at the State
Fair Among those in attendance, We found ma
nv om Indiana, and particularly from old Wayne.
Five or six families are from our own tewn-E.
II. Citizens, ] Joseph Roberts, J. Mitchell. Mr. Tay-
lor and several others We accepted and partook
of the hospitality Of Mr. Mckinney, to whom
we grateful for the kind courtesies shown Us
The State Fair oil that its friends could have
anticipated. The exhibition Of horses was very
fine. and that Of cattle far exceeding What could