Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1857-10-14
WHOLE NO. $40.
Editorial Correspondence.
GRAND RAPIDS, MICH, I
Tuesday z. NJ, Oct. 6.

at about IL o'clock A. NJ. we were soon on board the
Olive Branch and speeding up the river Concern
ing the voyage to this place. but little need be
said it was dull, tresome, and unenllvened by
aught of mirth or variety to break the monotony
of the whole affair. OF few of the incidents Of
the OCCASION we will speak, and then pass on to
other and more important matters
| To begin with, then we paid our fare on the
boat with bill on the Bank of Old Saratoga
broke, of course, but for that we cared not, for
what right had the boat to charge an editor for
fare? We have travelled thousands of miles since
we first assumed the responsibilities Of the edito-
rial chair, and to the credit of country be 1t
said that we have never been in only two places
where free pass was refused US. One of those
was on the Boston and Maine railroad, the other
on that portion of Grand river between Grand
Rapids and Grand Haven.
Having settled our fare to our infinite satisfac-
tion, we were then prepared to look around us.
Charleston is the first landing place. Here is a
steam mill and a small settlement where our friend
ROBERTS presides. An appearance of thrift seems
to prevail and the place, though small, possesses
good location and is bound to prosper
Just above Charleston the boat stopped to take
wood. The time was well improved by your hum
BILE servant in appropriating to himself sufficient
share of eatables in the shape of dinner; for
which one dollar bill on the "Macomb County
Bank" just sufficed to pay-that paper being
bought up at fifty cents on the dollar. ,. III,
Lamont is the next village. This presents
beautiful appearance from the river being situa-
ted on high rise of ground, and well improved.
The buildings are good-many Of them of fine
appearance. Three or four stores and numerous
mills give the place decidedly busness-like as
pect and speak well for its present enterprise and
future prosperity. But with this place we hope
to soon become better acquainted, and in that
case, able to speak definitely of its size and
business Although we have lived for some length
Of time, near neighbor to Lamont, we are sorry
to say that we have been quite unsocial. But the
future will set it right.
A short distance above Lamont, certain sports
man on the boat brought out his rifle, and tried
his skill at shooting ducks. The feathers flew
beautifully, but as the ducks were observed to fly
at about the same time, it was presumed that no
further damage was done. Fun Is fun, the world
over 1t sticks out of mans nature like weeds in
garden patch. But of all fun, that of shooting
at ducks is the poorest-in your editors estima-
tion at least. ...-..., ,,..
Haire's Landing is situated short distance far
therup stream and on the opposite side of the riv
er. AS the boat did not stop here, We had but lit
tie time to notice the place to make nquiries.J
Lansingburg is a small place, celebrated only
for its railroad, and the large amount Of lumber
and logs that is sent therefrom. -oft
Georgetown is another small place, boasting,
perhaps, of post Office store, mill, and some
very excellent land. We were but little better
pleased with its location than that of Lansingburg
Grandville, Kent county, is situated at a little
distance from the river, and for that reason we are
not SO well prepared to pronounce upon its merits.
The land on which the village is built is rather
low, but has the advantage of being level, or at
least apparently so. Not quite SO much of a bus
mess place as Lamont.
After leaving Grandvie we kept an eye open.
A certain rural retreat" we had heard Of and,
consequently, we were on the lookout. We de-
scried it at Il distance. Our heart leaped. Well,
it was there and very beautiful. The boat neared
it trapdly, and was soon directly in 'front.' But alas
while intenty looking, in hope of seeing the
" lady young and fair" aforesaid villanously in
clined sportsman discharged his rife, the unlucky
report of which caused us to jump from our chair
with fright-but brought us back to our senses.
An hours ride more, brought us in sight of
Grand Rapids. This last portion of the river is
quite difficult of navigation, owing to the shallow
ness Of the water. The general appearance of the
land in Kent county is much better than that OBJ
served in Ottawa. The principal, if not the only
reason, is that the farms have been longer under
cultivation. When the land in Ottawa county has
been well improved, it will be found that it is not
easily surpassed in beauty or fertility. ,,,.,..
GRAND RAPIDS,
October 7th. 81
We are now comfortablyensconsed In the sanctum
of the Enquirer and Herald Of this city. Time,
half past twelve, midnight. In an adjoining room
the press is busiy running, the noise of which
sounds remarkably natural to our eur. A great
institution is the PRESS an excellent paper is the
aforesaid Enquirer and Herald and wondrous
good fellow is THOMPSON. Each passing year
serves to convince more fully of the truth Of
the first assertion; very short time only ism
cessary to prove to us the truth of the two latter
statements.
We arrived in Grand Rapids at half past four
p. M. yesterday; and proceeded, in the first place.
to write chapter of editorial correspondence
to the Times Then called first at this Office af-
terward at the Eagle Office, at Foster Martins,
and at various other places of business. Very
much of a city is this place.
The most exciting item of intelligence in Grand
Rapids just now, is that work on the Detroit and
Milwaukee railway has ceased. It Is said that the
hands employed could not obtain their pay. A
strike" was the result; and owing to the un-