Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1855-11-29
Trip Out West.

ihas ne 10 at the great centering point Of
eastern and western communication. The
magnificent passenger depot. now nearly
completed, is the largest in the United
S'a'rs-having an sunbroken span that will
enable six trains TO stand unde. it at one
time. Besides the immense freight depot,
new grain warehouse is being erected in
| the center of an inclosed basin; the building
| will be 200 by 100 feet, and 100 feet high.
| aud will have twelve elevators ,all Of which
| can be worked at the same time by its
powerful engine. The cost Of improve
| menls in making the grounds and break
water. and putting up the several depots
and other large buildings adjoining whirh
| will be finished this winter, is $500. 900.
all expended within the space of three
| years.
Chicago is situated on the southwest
shore of Lake Michigan. and is the most
commercial city Of Illinois. 1t is built on
a level prairie. but little elevated above the
lake surface, and lies on both sides Of Chi.
cago river, and extends from the lake in
land about three miles. The wonderful
growth Of the city astonishes the world in
1880 it was mere trading post-it now
contains nearly 100000 inhabitants. and is
the largest grain depot in the world. By
the construction of piers, an artificial harbor
has been made at the mouth Of the river.-
Its commerce is immense. and in the aegre-
gate employs about 10000 tons of shipping.
one half steamers and propellers-oyer
thirteen million bushels of grain having
been shipped from this por, alone BY vessels
the present season; the lumber trade with
Buffalo is also largely increasing and be-
coming very profitable. Chicago is con-
nerted with the western rivers by boa,
canal, one Of the most magnificent works
ever undertaken, and with the Mississippi
at several points by railroad.
The surface of Illinois is generally level
the southern and northern parts Of the
State are somewhat hlly and broken, but
nowhere mountainous A small portion. al
the extreme south of the State, is covered
with timber, but prairie predomina,es in the
central and northern parts; probably two
thirds Of the State is prairie land. The
soil throughout is exceIlent-rich. deep and
productive, being wa,ered by an abundance
of pure springs. and well adapted to al,
kinds Of grain and other agricultural staples
| Of temperate climes. The climate is gener.
| ally pleasant, and in the south is sufficient
y mild for the cultivation Of cotton. while
peaches come to maturity everywhere
! Except on the river bottoms, and in the
neighhorhood Of swamps, the country is
healthy and free from epidemic diseases -
The productive industry Of Illinois is
chiefly employed in agriculture the manu-
features are comparatively Of small i'm
poh'nce. Mining, however, is brskly car
ried on. ant !a'g quantities Of lead, copper,
iron, and b'uminous coal are annually pro.
duced The lead region extends from Gal
ena beyond the limits Of the State north
and west and is supposed to occupy dis
trict 900 miles long and GO broad. the
richest perhaps in the world The Missis-
siPpi river is the great outlet for the pro-
ducilons Of the interior; many Of the
rivers N the State are navisable, and with
the already completed internal improve.
men.s, afford great facilitrs for The trans
por,a,ion OF goods and merchandise. Hi
n"is has four colleges, theological semi.
nary and medical school also deaf and
dumb asylu a, Springfield, the capital.
We left Chicago by the Rock Island
Railroad, that being the shortes, and mos,
direct route through Central Illinois to the
Mississippi. This was the frs, road opened
from Chicago to the River. and it runs
through one Of the mos, fertile and bcaul:-
full sections Of the State. The road and all
its appnt,enances are bull. in the best man
ner, and with its management in the hands
of competent officers who spare nothing
| which will add to the facilities and comforts
OF travelling i, is no. surprising that this
route should he considered the popular
,horougtsare to the prairies Of Iowa.
We wind down the beautiful valley OF
the Illinois river, and pass in sigh, OF many
| objects Of in,eTes. Much of the rich and
rolling prairie through which the road
passes is yet vacant, but is settling up ith
wonderful rapidi,y. A few years ago, large
! tracts Of land here were held by the General
Government, which arc now cultivated
| fields and where the deer and wolf held
undispu,ed sway. in many places are now
seen good residences, school houses. and
fields Of grain Of almost every description (:
the work Of the lahorer, both agricultural
list and mechanic, can be seen in every d.
rec,ien. The s,alwart yeoman has broke,