Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1857-09-26
C02gIIUM1GAI.8Oo
For the Register.
DrBuQUE CITY, Iowa, }
September 10, 1857.

SGptciIlUCI W. iCOI'
Friend Zitte.-As this western cOun-
try occupies prominent position in the
public mind, presume few lines from
this region may not be devoid OF interest
10 your readers.
The rapid rise and progress of our
western cities, especially Chicago and
Dubuque, has not only overturned our
eastern friends but have somewhat taken
us western people aback, as we can hard
ly believe what we see with our own eyes.
The growth of this city has been truly
wonderful during the present year, near
Ily seven hundred new dwellings and
stores having been erected, and the ma
iority Of which are good substantial BRICK
buildings. While we are making these
Improvements we are paying especial at
tention to the advancement OF the cause OF
Education. The city government has
worked nobly in behalf of Public Schools,
sparing neither time or money IN placing
upon firm foundation this highly lmpor-
tant system Of general education. Area
dy we have three large Public School
Houses erected in the first, third and fifth
wards, each of which are capable of ac-
c0mmodating over seven hundred chill
dren. Two more Of the same size are in
process of erection in the remaining two
wards the fourth and second. | make
mention of this to show you that we con-
slider the educational interest Of the Ut
most importance.
The following will give you an idea of
how we are progressing in the way of
erecting public buildings. The third
ward school house was completed last
January and cost twenty-five thousand
dollars the first ward school house, fin
ished in June, cost the same the fifth
ward school house is nearly completed
and viii! amount TO the same sum the
others to be built will be upon The same
plan and at like cost.
The teachers salaries are fixed at the
following rates: the Principals Of the
schools are allowed $1,000 per annum.
The first female assistan, $3.50; the next
S400. The second grade for a Principal,
female, gets $3.50, her first assistant
54OO, the next $3.50, and the third $500.
In the Primary grade the Principal, le-
male, receives S40O, her first assistant
1850, and two others $500 each.
At the present time there are some
two thousand children deriving the bene-
fits of education at the expense of the
public. Our public schools are now in
full and successful operation, rejecting
credit alike upon our citizens who pat
ronise them. The city council has made
such liberal appropriations 10 sustain
them and the board of education under
whose immediate supervision they are
conducted.
We have a most magnificent Market
House under process of erection which
when completed will cost forty thousand
dollars.
Those public buildings, with the
necessary grounds for some of them, will
amount in the aggregate 10 nearly two
hundred thousand dollars. Among the
structures finished or being built by pri-
vate enterprises or societies, may be emu
merated the Odd Fellows Hall, compile
ted this summer, cost forty thousand dol
lars the Congregational Church, the
cost of which will be forty,fve thousand
dollars-this will be the largest church
west of the Mississippi river /; the second
Presbyterian Church is TO cost twenty
thousand dollars-ths will also constitute
another ornament to our city the Catholic
congregation have commenced building a
magnificent church TO be known as the
ST. Raphael church 10 cost fifty thousand
dollars. We have three large hotels,
lately finished, the Gratford House cost
forty thousand dollars The 81. Cloud
,:,,L,r ,.ous,,I .rd tho 7 aurio,a coS,