The Kansas herald of freedom., 1856-05-03
The Jefala Of Freedom.
Lawrence. Saturday. May 8. 1856.
editorial correspondenoe.
ALFos, ILL.,, April Is. Sc.

ing become thorougly convinced OF the
practicability of making Alton a point
in the great line of travel between the
East and the West, the question natural
ly arises: Can it supply our people with
the great staples SO necessary to the set
Ting up of new country? or must we,
to obtain our supplies, continue to visit
St. Louis, and still pay tribute to the bu-
siness men of that city? With the view
of arriving at correct conclusion, in
company with Mr.. HANNA, of the Cour-
Ter Office, and Messrs. HUTCHINSON and
BLOOD, of Lawrence. we passed through
the principal streets OF Alton, and called
at numerous wholesale stores, and mag
nifcent manufacturing establishments
We had passed through but a few before
we began to understand that Alton was
still place of considerable commercial
account. Her extensive warehouses were
overfowing with every variety of goods
which necessity or fancy could desire
Dry goods, groceries, ready-made cloth
ING, boots and shoes, hardware, glass
ware, drugs. jewelry, Yankee notions.
furniture, lumber, and in short, nearly
every branch of trade had its represen-
tatives; while here was found the manu-
facturers of mill machinery, steam en-
gines, and every variety of agricultural
instruments. Come to pass over the
city, we find that it was situated between
hills, and was impossible to be seen from
any one, or hardly from any half-dozen
points. We ascended several bluffs that
seemed to overlook the town. 1t show
ed beautiful landscape, with a diversi-
fled scenery, while the busy hum of
manufactures and commerce constantly
broke upon the ear. We talked with
their leading men, and found them unit
ed in favor of the project which called us
there. Some of them favored me with
their business cards, which were inserted
in our advertising columns last week;
and as it viii greatly advance the people
of our new State to build up a point
there, and conscious, that in the hurry
the advertisements may be overlooked.
we take the liberty of pointing out some
few houses of Alton, where our people
can call with guaranty of findings large
stock, and at prices as favorable, or more
advantageous than in st. Louis. On our
return from Chicago and the East, we
hope to receive many other advert tise-
mentS from the town, as we are conscious
it will be a matter of natural advantage.
The reader will, then, allow US to in
,ite his attention to the card of the Alton
House, kept by GEO. B. HICKS, Esq, a
gentleman every way qualified for his po-
sition. The house is large and commo-
dious, fronting on the river, and has a
commanding view of the Mississippi for
some distance above and below. The
rooms are of good size, susceptible of
easy ventilation, and are kept in excel
lent order, by attentive servants. His
table is supplied with the best the market
affords. From our observation, we
should suppose the whole travelling pub
lie were conscious this was the common
resort of the traveller, for we found his
tables always full. Being "rigAs on the
goose" it will be found proper place
for Kansas bound emigrants to call on
their way to the new State.
From this point We will stroll up to
the Chicago railroad depot, to the Piasa
House, on the corner of Piasa street,
where We shall find our friend JOHN w.
HoIr & Sons, ready to supply theirguests
with their numerous wants. 1t is not
probable that one public house can sup
ply the entire travelling public, hence
those desiring good accommodations and
small bills will stop here.
d. D. RYRIE d Co., commission and
forwarding merchants, between Levee
aud Short streets, has very fine house,
which will commend itself to Kansas
bound emigrants. Persons shipping
goods either way. should consign their
merchandise to some house in Alton
None of the forwarding houses here viii
demand extra charges for drayage, as is
the case in all instances, in st. Louis, as
the houses are Immediately on the levee.
SAMUEL SpRuANcE, is also engaged in
the commission and forwarding business,
situated between Short street and the
Levee, at the railroad and general steam
boat landing. His warerooms are capa-
eious and dry, and goods consigned to
his care will be forwarded promptly to
their destination.
Having found a suitable place for the