Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-03-06
Correspondence Of the Fremont JonrnaL
ST. Louis, Feb. 2S, 1857,
N PLAHrERs' HOUSE.

PLASrERs' HOUSE.
FRIEND KEELER R:-Agreeable to prom
isc ! send you few items by the way-sidc
to Kansas. We found Chicago sunk in
mud, nothing visible but the buildings, and
some Of them seemed well under way down
to the level Of mud and water. Such look.
ing streets were never seen before but once,
and that at ST. Petersburg, in the third year
of its existence. Yet Chicago is q great
place and it is doubtful IL the history Of the
civilized world can furnish parallel to the
vigorous growth of this city. 1t has sprung
up as it were in day, from barren sun
ken waste Of land, to great commercial
metropolis. Six years ago there werc but
forty miles of Rail Road leading into the
city, now there are 3676 miles completed
and in operation; the earnings of tho same
last year (ls56,) were over $4,000, 900.
Articles manufactured in this city last year
amount to $l5,000,00o. Amount Of grain
shipped 100000 bushels. There can
not be doubt but Chicago has the ele-
ments Of real greatness, still she never can
boast of real beauty.
st. Louis is the oldest city of the west, it
had been city years before Chicogo was
ever thought Of, and Of course looks more
finished and substantial. Imust say think
it preferable to Chicago rs place of resi-
dcnce or business. Speculation docs not
absorb the whole soul of the citizens; moth
ing seems inflated in the city "except the
ladies dresses" every thing is natural in the
way of business, and nothing seems to dis
turb the public mind.
If capitalists of the east would visit this
place, see its superior advantages and take
into consideration the recent demonstration
in Missouri on the emancipation question and
the fact that that agitation with the strong
probability of its speedy accomplishment
will bring $4,000 people into this State in
eighteen months, and 100000 in five years,
they would see that in this State there is
the very best opening for making fortunes
in real estate speculations. The avalanche
of free labor that is destined TO slide down
on Missouri filling workshops, peopleing
her plains and hills penetrating her mines
of mineral wealth, handling her commerce
and building up prosperous cities in the in
terror will make st. Louis the metropolis of
the west.
Tho emancipationists of this State are
laying the foundation of an empire of whose
wealth, intelligence and power the sun in
all its course has never shone upon its equal.
In less than fifty years the beautiful valleys
of upper Missouri, the Kansas and Platte
Rivers will have been settled, making ten
States as large as Ohio and much more
wealthy and populousgrowu up between the
Mississippi and the Rocky mountains, max.
ing ST. Louis the great commercial centre.
My time will not admit of further digres
sions and / will close by slight mention o
the city. There are many fine Hotels, the
Planters is as large and on the same plan o.
rich pIainness rs the Astor, N. Y. The Vir
ginia and Barnums are more modern struc
lures.
The churches are numerous and elegant
Tho lamentcd DIR. Billiards. is one of Tho
finest in America, and tho present pastor o
this church warned his congregation during
the morning service yesterday of their dan
ger of church worship and he bcsought then
to worship in spirit and in truth. Not man,
rich congregations are talked to in SO plail
a manner, if they we're, fine churches woulC
not be considered dangerous to spirituality
We leave tomorrow for Leavenwortl
City, X. r., by steamer Mornins Star, on
or two boats leave daily for the Missouri
G. G. G.