American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1857-12-11
,YoB AnBR1GAN DnlDNe
Mio1-1'RIGANTOWN. DECEMBER IL.
nss.. The Editor has just returned

sepce on a visit to the Buckeye State.
A few items, noted in our excursion to
and fro, is all the report we are pre-.
parod to make at this present type
setting.
81 We passed over the North western
Il Railroad, for the first time, on our out
B ward trip, and were we'll pleased to
] find it so efficiently managed and do
n ing an immense business in tho trans.
mission of freight. The number Of
passengers, too, was much larger than
81 VIC expected to find 'on the wing at
this season of the year. The N. w.
Road, under the direction of the Balti,
more and Ohio r. r. Co., is thorough.
ly ballasted, equipped and Differed,
and the traveller finds it continue.
ton of the excellent discipline and man
agewent which have distinguished that
great national thoroughfare since its
ropening.
Parkcrsburg is thriving place and
wears quite business air. The large
depot of the r. II. was filled with piles
of freight awaiting shipment to East
ern markets. Steamboating makes
rather poor show on the Ohio in COM
petition with tho "iron horse," COM
paratively few boats running to ports
above. The floating palaces of other
days, plying between Pittsburg, Wheel
ing and Parkcrsburg, arc ruled off,
land have gone below Their places,
however, are supplied by neat and
comfortable boats, such as the travel
and trade will justify.
In the counties of Belmont, Guern.
sey and Muskingum, the farmers COM
plain much of the blight in their corn
crops, and the same is true generally
Of that section of the State. The wet
and cold of the past three weeks caught
large portion of the corn before it
was ripe enough to endure it, hence it
is injured so as to be unfit for anything
but to feed at once to stock. There is
however, a good crop that may be yet
secured Of merchantable corn.
Large quantities of Tobacco are rails
cd in Eastern Ohio, and the farmers
are making it pay very well. We no.
ticed several consignments Of "the
weed for Baltimore, along the Central
Ohio Railroad.
The experiments in cultiyating the
Chinese Sugar Cane, and manufactur-
ing the expressed juice into molasses,
have resulted in general very success.
fully Sorghum Sugar and Syrup
.-inanufactories will soon become impor-
tant institutions all over the country.
There's sweet time coming!
The financial pressure is not made
particularly manifest on the surface of
business operations in the sections we
visited, whatever it may be doing be-
hind the curtains. The scarcity of
specie does not bother the Buckeye"
folks, as it does us, they having cur
rent substitute in the small notes of
the State Banks of Ohio and Indiana,
which go like hot cakes
Thursday, Goth November, was OBJ
served in pursuance of Gov. Chase S
recommendation, as day Of thanks
giving. The observance Of the day
was general in the cessation from secu-
lar pursuits, religious services, and in
the discussion of good di,,ners--in all
Of which, as a visitor in Gov. Chase 8
dominions, We cheerfully participated.
The Free Schools of Ohio arc now
in the full tide of successful operation.
Their School system is most excellent,
and places the means Of education in
the reach of all-the poorest as well
z as those better to do in life. The fine
School-houses, which meet the eye Of
the traveller at short intervals, are open
nine months Of the year, and schooling
Is available to all Under the age of 81
years who choose to attend free gratis.
Excellent Libraries are furnished each
District School by the State, and the
means Of obtaining knowledge is thus
guaranteed to every family. The wis.
dom of these educational facilities will
be made manifest, and tho blessings
they confer will be reaped, by coming
generations. In Ohio it is not thought