Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-05-08
Cairo.

smart Htite Cie9 Va
following description of the locality in
order that the truth may be made to ap- |
pear -
This Cairo has not yet reached the
glory of its great predecessor, famed
Grand Cairo in Egypt; but it Is never
theless a place which stands fair for fu-
ture notoriety.
! Our first glimpse of it was from the
deck of one of those noble steamers that
rush through the Western waters, as we
came up from New Orleans. 1t opened
upon us. as we turned bend in the Mis-
sissippi, and showed us what noble po-
sition it holds for becoming one of the
great cities of the West. Here the i'm
petuous and turbid waters of the Father
of Waters unite with those of the fair
Ohio The Mississippi waters look like
the recently disturbed waters of muddy
pool; while the Ohio, far purer, seems TO
shrink from commingling with its I'M
clearly neighbor; but as they are thrown
into each others society and are to keep
company for more than thousand mile
voyage, they ere long come into good
terms, and are mingled amicably togeth-
er.
The whole Delta, formed by the con-
fuence of these two great rivers, is a
great swamp for many miles. But hui
man wisdom and power has determined
that the marsh shall be no longer the do
main of these rivers; and accordingly an
immense levee, or embankment, has beer
thrown up, at a cost of not less than 6
million of dollars already, which embra
ces several square miles, and completely
secures the land within it from inunda
ton. Within this embankment is tbs
prospective city of Cairo; to enter it
:. you must descend from the ramparts o
earth that surround it. But you vii
= find here some costly and substantial
stores and warehouses, large number @
. dwelling houses, and large and rapid.
% increasing population. The spires c
j several christian churches announce tha
- the new corners have not forgotten
,t take with them the gospel. Many ne'
: buildings are going up. The yet remain
ing forest is rapidly falling before th
axe. The smoke of burning log heap
ID and brush assembled in volumes as W
u took our survey, and the sounds of nois.
ID busy industry, were heard in all dire
RS tons.
- The fact that this place is the termint
! of the Illinois Central Railroad mu
no reud greatly 10 its progress. This roa
q commencing at Chicago and runnir
o. through the entire State, is 375 mill
On long. 1t goes through some of the ricl
est kdilOS III anu VIII OpCu
H. to occupancy and cultivation, and Cal
is must be one of the great points whe
to the immense produce must accumulate,
mt its way to a market. Extensive war
of houses are built and are building, by Il
.v- railroad company, and their various il
proyementS contribute to rapid grow
of this town. Moreover, the road is
I'm be continued on the Kentucky side of t
t a river, and onward through that State a
Y. Tennessee, to unite with the Mobile ros
Law already finished several hundred mile
m so that it cannot be long before there "
iull be continuous railroad from Chicago
w the Gulf of Mexico.
ner There is something very impressive
vas a thoughtful person to stand on the lev
in which terminates in point where
are Ohio and Mississippi unite. OF the (
mer river it may be well said that no ri
Of in the world rolls for so great distan
of such uniform and placid current. 7
law scenery along the Ohio is of surpass
and loneliness and beauty. The stream &c
ted. through greater extent of rich iron
The coal regions than probably any OF
and river in the world. Inexhaustible gu
ifv titles of building stone are found in
ak near its banks, and for agricultural ?
poses and timber in great variety,
extent of country drained by the @
ork and its tributaries, being more than q
one 900 square miles, is unequalled in ri
ants ness and fertility.
tied And at this point also comes in
the magnificent Mississippi; at this pI
lore near mile in width, and bringing d.
n of the wealth of the immense realms of
: 20 North and West.
the Every species of river craft stops b
and all this contributes to augment
prosperity of the place. There is NJ
a Inc point anywhere, on the Mississippi al
rney A'e" orieahs' SO favorable Tor 6