Minnesota weekly times. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1854-1859, 1856-05-17

this road and think they present more
thrifty appearance than those along the line of
the Southern Michigan. saw many excellent
fields Of wheat, and as this is a wheat country,
abundant crops may be expected this season.
We reached Chicago at S o'clock, having been
from ten in the morning on our way from De-
troit, distance OF go miles. The proprietors
Of the fremont House gouged me out Of 81 so
for late supper, and for the privilege of sleep
ing in hard bed, in a room where there were
four other beds each containing an occupant,
whose hard breathngs gave me most earnest
desire to swear most tremendously l
didn't
CHICAGO, May z, 1856.
What shall say OF this great city, Is its
| fame not known throughout the Neste Is it
not the young giant tina. will outstrip all other
competitors What with its scuenteen railroads
terminating here--a vast agricultural region
to feed it and commerce that has grown up
as if by magc---arhat is to be its destiny 2
who can tell notice very great change in
Chicago since my last visit. Costly and mag
nificent buildings have been erected.--the city
more cornpac,y built and greater spirit of en-
ergy infused in every department Of trade.---
While at Buffalo there is the same sng-song
look, at Chicago every thing wears more
cheerful and stirring appearance. | predict
for Chicago growth unparalleled in the his
tory Of cities, either East OF West. learn
fact which may be Of interest to our citizens
and that is, the Common Council of Chicago
intend to invite the citizens Of ST. Paul 70 visit
their city the coming season, the object doubt
less being to secure the trade of our merchants,
ar act highly prasworthy. Steamers, cars,
&C., &c., are to lie chartered for the special
purpose, and the whole expense will be borne
by the Chicagians. The invitation will be
forthcoming soon, so gentlemen, put Oh your
best bib and tuck and be ready for the emer-
gency.
As usual, the Galena and Chicago Union
cars were crowded with passengers on their
way West, the great proportion of whom were
bound for Minnesota. We had good run
until about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, when
the cars were brought to sudden STOP and
on inquiry it was found tina! the mail train from
Chicago, just ahead of us, had run off the track.
smashing two or three cars, but injuripg no
one. It was raining at the time, and the pas
sengcrs were obliged to vacate the Express
train, walk through the mud and rain TO
freight train the other side of tie "smash Up"
where five car loads CT passengers were slowed
into them, and after much delay, were backed
down to Freerort, IA miles from where the
accident happened. Here large number of the
crowed sought whatever accommodation they
could find, while some three hundred remained
in the cars all night, the train west having
been detained. by Il land slide on the track
near Galena. 1 can't say fell in love with
the hotels OF Freeport, bat can recommend,
and do so with pleasure, the Pennsylvania
House, which has been recently renovated and
is really a good hotel, with large, airy rooms,
and clean, soft beds, and palatablc food. Ten
o'clock Thursday morning, the 9Th, found me
in the city of
The recent fire gives the city desolate APP
pcarance, and it took me some little time to as
certain where l was. Fly stay did rot permit
me to see much Of the place, but Judging from
what did see, it has not grown much since
my last visit. Six boats lay at the Levee, bu,
did not observe that stirring scene visible on
other occasions, although am informed that
the business OF the place is on the increase,
and that the trade of the merchants thus far has
been greater than the same period last year.
My own opinion is, that while Galena may
hold her own for some years to come, still she
cannot and will not increase as fast as either
Dubuque or St. Paul. 1t is true, the river
trade is still immense, but will not that trade
be diverted to other channels q! Will not Chi
cago and Dubuque claim part of it, and will
they not get it! While am willing to con-
cede that Galena possesses some of the most
energetic business men Of the West, and still
retains elements OF prosperity, yet cannot re-
sist the conviction that her progress in the fu-
ture must be slow ia comparison with other
places more eligibly situated. Our friends of
the Calena Advertiser are still ffourishing. and
whatever fate may befall the city, l most sin.
cerely hope that our worthy, industrious, talent
ed and esteemed editorial brother, II. H.
HoUGHroN, ESQ.,, will be able to retire with a
competency for life, for which he has abored
so long and so perseyeringiy.
Two hours ride from Galena landed me at
Duneth, distance Of sixteen miles. This
place exhibits but little improvement. But few
new buildings have been erected during the
past year, and though great efforts have been
made to bring the place into notice and induce
parties to loo tie here, yet sit is no CO." Itnev-.
can and never will be place of note. q give
my opinion and it is Il erefore useless for me
to waste time and paper in specializing either
up,n its growth or decline. The Argyle
House presents fine appearance-is excel.
lently well kept, and commends itself to the
patronage Of the public.
DUBUQUE, May 9th, 1856.
am once more in the busting city of Du-
buque, where | observe many changes. In
one year the city has grown amazingly. Then
there were 10000 inhabitants --noM the mum.
Der is put down at / OOO-,bep III. s,r,,,s ,,-,r