Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-05-09
corresponaenoe of the Intelligence.
GAlExA. Illinois, May ], 1856

H.
earnest now, and this little city looks like great
beehive. The river is full of water, the wharf
crowded with freight, and the streets oyCrrnn
with drays, boxes, babies, and mud. Galena,
like most Western places has not yet learned
the art of paving; and if she knew how, could
not spare the time to do it
The river is not wider than Wheeling creek at
its mouth, and yet there are at times more than
dozen boats stringing along its wharf All of
them loading or empyiug, and yet unable to
supply the trade. There lisa daily line of pack
cts between here and st. Paul, which is now be-
ing increased 10 two steamers in twenty-fonr
hours; and vet the city complains that with the
addition of tho extra seven boats, and all tran
sicnt boats besides, 1t is impossible to get the
goods away. of course portion of the ship.
,nents are from other points, but Galena's own
trade requires more steamers than are In the
present line.
Ono can scarcely believe how much business
is done here The lead trade alone, which is
not the only trade, as many suppose, now
amounts to t,eo millions yearly, and the discoy-
cry Of more lea,ls warrants the conclusion that
it will annually increase. Tic grocery house Of
lB. f. Campbell & Co., sold eight hundred thou
sand dollars worth of goods last year, and ex-
pect to increase their business this season.
There are other grocery houses that almost
equal this one and make in the aggregate an
immense sum.
The fact of the business is, that Galcna sup
plies the whole northwestern country with mer-
chandise. There is more capital, more bust
ness capacity, more untiring energy, more good
natured, healthy opposition, and more enter
prise in this Lead City, than can be found any
where else in the Union. know that the asser-
lion is a bold one, but kpo1 MGt II Is true
Goods are sold at six months, and this enables
poor industrious men not only to buy, but TO
pay for them. OF course merchant must have
large capital to be able to sell on such long
time. and that is what all the business men
have-plcnty of money.
The boot and shoe trade amounted last year
to nearly s5oO,OOO, and as the Minnesota coun-
try becomes more thickly settled, will without
doubt increase. The manufactures turned out
lin 1854 over half million dollars worth OF
goods, and doubt not will this year increase
their labors and products twenty-five per cent
Besides the Central Illinois and Galena and
Chicago Railroads, are pouring in their nine
hundred people daily, and an amount of freight
that should be sorry to estimate. And the eff
rect is, that commission merchants are working
day and night, while rs before observed the
steamers arc going out daily crowded with liy-
ing and dead merchandise.
By the way, you should see them load one OF
the packets, for it would be both a treat and
lesson The fact of the matter is, that you can
not see the boat for the boxes, cows, horses, fur
niturc, men, women and children, and thou
sand other things all mixed up together, and all
tending to one -Minnesota-th land OF
milk and honey, where, if not frozen to death,
you may have good time.
am compelled towonder as look ON these
dcnscly crowded boats, how so many people are
such idiots as to leave comfortable home, a
nicely cultivated farm, and every association OF
childhood for these Western wilds. know
that land is cheap, and rich, and abundant; but
1 know that many who are already near the
grave are but lesscniug the distance by a change
of climate. change of labor, achangeof troubles
and a change of sentiment. Not that would
debar any industrious man with small family,
who has no home ofhis own, from coming West,
and by perseverance, and sobTiety soon making
one. No. no. But would say to the old grey
headed man, leaning on his ancestors worm
eaton porch, looking over his beautiful pastures
and fruitful fclds-resiing his hand upon the
heads of half score of boys and girls. while his
old gentle wife chung to his ar1n-to such an
one would say, do not give up that highland
home. You will never again have the same
peacclullife, the same freedom from disease, tue
same quiet home that God so blesses you with
now.
: And would tell him that the Westcrnlands
are very beautiful indeed; but that beneath eve
nv blade of grass serpant ticks his tongue
the serpant of disease. would tell him that
| all OF this land must come under his control,
must be made useful, and that too by the sweat
of his brow. j would tellhim that woods scarce,
and the neccssaries for enjoyment very hard to
/ obtain. There are no school houses on every
fhill, nor churches every mile. There 'edt be
know: for this land is destined TO be bright
star--but ere they come, ere the clouds sink be-
hind the horizon ofimprovemcnt and culture
he will be slumbering in the grave. IAea old
man, cherish Thy oldAome.
But have not-quite done with Galena. You
have heard that Dubuque is destined to eclipse
her Believe, it not Galena is not pretty
lplace, on the contrary, It's anything else. Nor
has she any attractions for the man of leisure
Her streets are improving daily, and will in the
course of another year, and tho outlay Of
ten thousand dollars, be rather comfortable
stll she has the money the established trade;
the business men; that no other, city in the
West of four times her size can compete with.
Besides her lead will over be anucleus for trade
to grow upon, and every year the bali viii be-
come larger and larger.
She has now an appropriation for new Gus
tom House. and Marine Hospital. The sites