Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1857-07-09
FROM THE NORTH WEST.
OSHKOSH, WIscoNsIx,)
limo 81 1877 Z

tL ,rs OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN,
~ June 81, 1857.
Mr.. THoBURs: On the 23d instant, in
company with two other citizens OF Belmont
county, left home on a Western trip via
the Central Ohio, Michigan Central, Chicago
and Fon du Lac Rail Roads, and from
thence to this place by steamboar-and on
boat, TOO, built at Pittsburgh, and running
or Lake Winnebsgo. This is a fact; now
can any of the school boys or girls O: Bel
mont trace out the track OF the boat and
send it to ycu Tor ycur next paper, for ex-
pe:t you to publish this letter, provided /
can make il sufficiently interesting
Be lore leaving home, expected, after
pass ing Chicago, to find wild uncultivated
country, with here and there an improve
ment, but almost everything in a state Of
nature, thinking this to be SO far North that
none but the most hardy and venturesome
would be here; but, sir, if any change, the
country on my route is much more beautiful
and better improved this side of Chicago
than that | passed through IN Indiana =
Leaving home for this place in my route,
what do you suppose was my surprise on
inhabitants, fifteen steam saw mills, ten or
twelve steamboat arrivals and departures
daily, two daily and four weekly newspapers.
half dozen churches. one OF which was
in, having an organ, stained glass windows.
aisles carpeted. seats cushioned and stuffed,
&C., FIVE OF SIX good hotels, well furnished,
pianos in the parlors, with other furniture
TO match, more than sixty stores Of all
kinds, and every variety of articles for sale.
have never seen any place West Of Balti-
more where the stores were so compact;
they stand literally together, every door
from the wharf, on one side of the street,
opening into place of business. and the
other side nearly the same. There are
three Banks here, multitude of hacks,
drays, omnibuses, carriages. wagons, bug
gies, &c. There are number of fine
houses already built, and where forest trees
have grown they are left standing, and add
in a great degree TO the beauty of the
place. This city stands on a most lovely
sheet OF water, Lake Winnebago, some
tn rly-fye miles long, and from eight to
twelve miles wide. The Fox and Wolf
Rivers unite some short distance West, and
empty into the Lake at this point The
face of the country is generally level, with,
undulations. The people appear frank,
hospitabe and open-hearted; eur company
has been twice invited and accepted, the
invitation to take tea with a very agreeable
family This being Saturday, we intend
remaining until Monday, and then leave for
Iowa aud Minnesota Tomorrow being
Sabbath we will most probably be at church,
where, from what we have already seen, we
expeci TO finG as genseel congregation as
YOU will find anywhere. The ladies' seem
to observe very nice Propriety OF dress,
very geenteel, without gaudiness. Hoops
sre here, as well as at St. Clairsvile, and,
by-the-bys, Mr.. Editor, the ladies begin to
look strange and awkward without them.--
Enough on this subject from an old fogy -
The weather is warm, the thermometer to-
day was at 80 Q but the heat, out of the
sunshine, Was not oppressive, the air feels
so pure aud bracug.
! Al Chicago we arrived 10 O'clock Of night
and elt next morning at II o'clock. But
| .uch place! can only give faint des.
.rinion Of it, and scarcely know how or