The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-05-13
Letter from Bryan.

DRYAS, WHilaIlS CO' ", Nluy lUtu, Iooo'
FRieSu HIGGlNs:-I first visited this place in
Jan, 1913, fifteen years since. Tho trees were
rellcd npon about ten acres, but not an acre was
cleared nor rod Of fence made. The public Of
fees were a suite Of rooms built of small logs and
having he appearance of continuous corn crib,
The Hall for holding court was small grocery
room, aud on tho morning alter nay arrival, | Wis
tied the jail standing at the edge OF the chopping
and discovered two deer browsing in the top OF a
tree that had bcen ieIed to mako room for the
building The place was new, rude and unnvitng
far away in the depths Of the forest, aud which
| reached by travelling Is miles on foot through an
uubroken wilderness.
But great change has been effected here as in
many other localities in the west. Many estimate
the town to contain at this time from 1900 TO y
600 Inhabitants The estimate may not be too
large but think it is | think the population will
not vary much from 1000
Most of the town is situated upon broad
mound, 1856 feet above the level of Lake Erie
The mound is of gentle Observation-Disclosures por-
ton being about | 8 feet above the fiat lands i'm
mediately surrounding. The public square is up
on the highest land in the center of the town, and
the Court House is on the center of the square,
The Court House is a large brick edifce, and in
external appearance would do no discredit to any
county in the state.
Most of the business buildings front upon the
Square but as the exgences Of trade demand
they will be erected in other places. Several have
| .It 4 D,;l
Road This portion of the town plat apprehend
will soon be fully occupied. There are several goo6
stone buildings aud number of desirable family
residences, but beside the Court House there is nc
structure of an imposing appearance.
But its fountains form the great aud distinguish
ing characteristic of the town, and have acquired
for it the name of Fountain City. These yol
may see along every street and at almost every
house. They are obtained by boring The deptl
necessary to bore varies greatly within the limit
of the town. ranging from 35 to 60 feet Imme
diatoly after the auger dcscends through stratum
of dark coored and very dense clay or hard pan
it drops through subterranean chamber of sever
al inches in height, into a quick and the wa
ter rushes TO the surface, and in some instance
from 10 to II feet above Large quantities G
sand are usually washed out, before the water bt
comes ii for use, Penstocks are inserted in th
auger holes aud by proper arrangement the wa
ter may taken at any desirable height. Many {
the penstocks are in houses and barns yet enoug
may be seen along the streets to give the town
very interesting appearance Small live fish al
+ frequently discharged from these fountains Thes
come from some place in upper oir, if the ol
statement is true, that fish bred in the dark hay
no eyes. These not only have eyes, but can Sc
as we'll, for aught can discover, as any other fs
We have no blind fish here
! Another pecuiarity of the town, and ono th
" will not impress the stranger SO avorably, is Il
, entire absence of ornamental shrubbery, shat
trees, and tastegully cultivated gardens. The ne
cct OF these, gives the town sort OF un6niSh'
appearance; and suggests the idea that the wor
S men knocked of before they finished their job
This matter is attracting some attention, and efor
:, understand, will soon be make to remedy the
# feet. But enough for this time.
s Yours, &c. X.