Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-09-09
oRI8rNAL PAPgRs.
For the Spirit of the Age.
Scraps from my Note Book.
BY A cARoLINIAN.

d n M
MNsEAPoLis, M. T., Aug. 10th, 1857.
Noon of August 9Th found me on board
the Steamer Ben Campbell, bound up the
Mississippi. The accommodations of the
boat, being amply sufficient for a much lar
ger number ofpassengers, nothing out Of the
usual routine Of Steamboat travel occurred
to mar our enjoyment until mid might, when
we were aroused from deep slnmber to ore
pare for change Of boats at Rock Island.
Near our landing lay the stern-wheel steam
er Alhambra, to which passengers bound
farther mp the river were directed. In com
pany with several others went aboard, and
after while succeeded in aronsing the
Clerk, who with some reluctance left his coy
berth TO assign us rooms, retiring to which
we soon were again wrapt in the embrace of
sleep. Next morning at 5 the Steamer left
her wharf and went over to Davenport,
which lies immediately opposite Rock Island,
to await the arrival Of a Boat from below,
with which It usually connects. This is one
Of the most thriving cities of Iowa. 1t is fa-
vorably located on the Mississippi at the
crossing Of a rail road from Chicago to Iowa
City. The r. r. Bridge is constructed with
o wide draw, always kept open except when
a train Of cars is passing, SO as not to OBJ
struct the navigation Of the River. The pop
ulation is estimated at twelve or fifteen thous.
and. Our Captain, with more patience than
was manifested by his passengers, waited
hour after hour for the boast from below,
and finally at midday gave the wished for
signal TO unloose the fastenings and let MS
go. The steamer was soon in motion, slowly
making its way against the opposing cur
rent The scenery along the river continued
tame and rather monotonous; the banks
generally low and level, were covered with
agood growth Of timber and presented few
evidences OF Improvement. excapt In the inn
mediate vicinity Of the villages scattered
along their borders. After another night Of
undisturbed repose we awoke to find our.
selves approaching Galena, ,wherewe arrived
ct 5, A. N. The scenery here is as wild and
beautiful as it is tame and uninteresting far
ther below. The town of itself is not very
attractive, still it has quite business like
appearance. The houses are built mostly of
brick, not a few of which show the marks of
time. Owing TO our delay on the day before,
we were too late at Galena to make connee-
ton with the Packet for st. Paul, but learn
ing that it would remain at Dunleith until
the arrival Of the morning train Of ears from
the former place, secured ticket and was
soon hurrying along at rail road speed
through pleasing variety of hill and dale.
We were in the midst of the Lead region
On either side were towering hills heavily
charged with the dull metal, awaiting only
the rapid process Of transition into shot anc
ball, to stand ready to go forth upon its life
destroying mission. We soon reached Dun
leith, only 16 miles Distant where we fount
the fine Steam Packet, Galena, with steam
up ready to start. With little difficulty sc
cured room in which was pleasantly domi
ciled for the remainder Of my trip up thl
River. We were now nearly 400 miles from
st. Paul and 500 from st. Louis. 1t was no
long before the beauties Of the Great Missis
sippi, which was beginning to suspect hat
existence only in the overwrought picture
Of its enthusiastic admirers, began to unvei
themselves to my view in all their natv
splendor. And ere the parting rays of th
sun bade adieu to the neighboring hill tops
leaving them and me in the dusky twilight
was prepared to believe that it is indee
in more respects than one The Prince G
Rivers'-'The Father of Waters Towerin
bluffs, whose beautifully inclined sides an
topmost peaks are covered with vegetation
stretched along in some places for miles wit
scarcely any intermission, holding in thei
strong embrace the nonresisting stream b.
low. The shrill whistle Of The Steamer as
approaches landing, is echoed back an
the far distance. Occasionallv the ave ma
cafeb n glimnsa of tbe intar;or and than
4 mot 7v;th q vess sxnarsa of ,,ndnIot;r
nra;r;a ,sam;ns here Ss nd 1IU thers With f;sids
inrnr;ant corn or goldsn coIorsd wbsat heat :
No.,-;sbs,ond;nc az rocL r;hhad shoras of :,
-;osr afrJ sar {, w ,s;Ias tora.Sar 80 .oa !,
a s;ts ~ ali slsg;hIa so- ! toosn at;Il tbo :
ling passion of the western speculator is q
70 oe mus U.S. suGuuei aon"s; ne ga can ouG ma
foundation OF city, gives it name of whi'