The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1856-05-30
Editortal Correspondence
GALrNA. Nav 81. 1856.

lead to q sudden collision.
Editorfal correspondence.
GALrNA, May q, 1856.
DEAR ASSOCIATES: Yesterday we came
past Clinton, on the Iowa side, Lyons, just
above it, Fulton City, opposite Lyons, on
the Illinois shore, Savanna, on the same
side, and Ssbula, nearly opposite Savanna.
Clinton is about three miles below Lyons,
and has been built up within about year
past, principally under the auspices Of the
railroad, was told, because the company
thought Lyons was not liberal enough with
them, and they concluded to attempt rival
town. They have put UP some very respect
able buildings, and should think there were
some three hundred or four hundred people
there. But still, the road runs to Lyons,
and the possibility Of removing the trade
and business, therefore, down to Clinton, or
even Of making Clinton much Of place,
would seem very doubtful.
Lyons is place of perhaps from fifteen
hundred to two thousand people, apparently
growing quite fast, decently well built for q
new town, and has q more substantial air
than Fulton.
l could not get of either at Clinton or
Lyons, but had an hour or two at Fulton,
and ran gil over the town. 1t is an awful
cheap looking place, and appears as if it
might have grown up with last nights
mushrooms, to be wilted down By the sun Of
to-day. ] did not see but one good building
in it, and that Was the hotel. The s Dement,
House" it is no cxaggerstion to say is re-
ally magnificent. 1t is nearly but not quite
completed. 1t will make its own gas. 1t is
richly and elegantly furnished, and it is ab-
solutely larger and finer than almost any
hotel in St. Louis. Chicago trains arrive
here regularly now. The population appears
to be about the same with that of Lyons.
Savanna is about thirty miles below Ga
lena, and is one of the most dilapidated and
forlorn looking towns ever saw. 1t is situ-
ated on a thin strip Of shore between the
river and very high bluffs, is considerably
troubled with Mississippi water just now,
and would probably sell out pretty cheap
except for the prospect of railroad Mt an
early day. The lower end of the town 10 Of
easy approach from the East, and road
from Racine (Wisconsin), connecting at
Beloit, with the Beloit and Madison road,
and at Frceport (Lli.), with the Galenn and
Chicago, and Illinois Central, is in process
Of construction, will be completed in few
months, and will then furnish the shortest
line by some thirty miles which can be found
between the Mississippi and Lake Michigan.
A road will doubtless be run up, too, 70 Ga
lena, much Of an old bed for which is still ex-
listing, and in disable condition. Population
probably five hundred or something more.
Sabula, a mile or two lower down on the
Iowa side, has a fiat but not unpleasant
situation, and is high enough to be out Of
the way Of the water. There are high bluffs
half mile or 50 back, but there 10 o
smooth opening out to prairie land around
from the northern end. They too are look
ing for railroad, 70 be the proiongation Of
the Racine and Mississippi road, and to run,
! believe, to Maquokesa, and thence know
not in what direction towards shutdown. 1t
is possible that the late grant may affect Its
prospects unpleasantly, bat hope not. Sa-
bula looks little "seedy," and contains q
population, rs near as could Judge, Of from
four hundred to five hundred.
Bellevue, eightesn miles above Savanna,
on our side, and twelve miles below Galena,
is quite thriving little town, to appearance,
though we got there in the edge Of the even
ing, and ! had not very good chance to see
it. II u situated on Jewel ground, but lies
high up above the water. An unfailing
stream puts into the Mississippi here, and
furnishes good mill privileges. A Touring
mill with Ave run Of stones has already been
built. They claim : population Of one
thousand, and probably have nearly or quite
that number. partial here with very
companionable gentleman snd right clever
soul, VINO was returning up from St. Louis
with bis seasons stock Of goods, and If the
people thereabouts like M. D. Hyler - well
Is 1 do, he enjoys thriving trede and is
worthy Of it.
Galena is the raggedest place ever saw,
and almost the dirtiest. It Is reached BY
Fever river, which pursues about Is tortuous
: course as the sigxag approaches to be-
sieged town. do not know what would