The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1858-07-29

LlNNEus, Lynn Co., Mo-. July 81. .

| N"''''' 'A'NN'NS P'ppVSO W Uldho lew
observations, commencing with my landing on
the western bank of the Mississippi river
! Hannibal, the eastern terminus Of the st. Jo
seph RAILROAD, is picturesquely situated amid the
bluffs which form the shore on the Missouri
side. The city contains some five or six thou.
sand inhabitants-has a good landing, with
sufficient elevation to secure it from floods which
have so recently visitd other localities. The
ruggedness Of the town site has subjected the
citizens to great expense in grading the streets,
which improvement appears to have been prose.
cuted only according to the necessities Of the
case, and where business has not required the
removal of bluff there it remains, the dizxy
summit crowned by a residence which overlooks
the turmoil OF this sublunary sphere For
years Hannibal he's been point of considerable
importunce. and in the great struggle with 9th.
er towns for the supremacy, the railroad leading
to ST. Joseph, on the Missouri river, was com
menced. This, ii was believed, would secute
an advantage but st. Louis has already tapp,d
it by running road which nterseots some sew
enty miles west and Quincy is contendng for
the northern business by running branch to
Palmyra. road to Naples will give Hannibal
connection with eastern roads and secure por-
tion OF the great trade passing over this route.
This track, so far as completed, is by all odds
the toughest of any over which have travelled,
and passes over country nut little improved
A grant Of land was made to aid in the con-
struction of this road and the company, in To-
eating the route, have, so far as practicable,
avoided al! the towns, p,eferring to build depots
and station houses upon their own lands, which
policy greatly embarrases property holders, as
other points of business must necessarily spring
up which will divert trade into other channels
The county seat of each county has heretofore
been the place of business for that county, and
considerable villages have grown up. The irs
survey located them on the route, and stock, to
quite an amount was taken-property increased
in value; but to the great disappointment of
property holders they now find their county seats
are four, six, or eight miles from the line of the
road.
Prairie apd timber are so conveniently inter.
spersed along this route, as to AFFORD superior ad
vantages to the agriculturist Timber cannot
80 49, S""SS e"J'ih e'iO ySI tueIS Uul
few Instances where it cannot be had within
convenient distances The soil of these praires
is extremely fertile, and with the exception of
wheat, every kind of grain is produced in abun-
dance. Wheat is considered an uncertain crop,
although there Is enough raised for home oon.
sumption. Stock growing is the great business
oil the farmers, and the unoccupied praries afford
sufficient pasture ground for vast herds that
yearly roam over them. A large amount of pork
is fattened each year Tobacco is raised in arge
Quantities. Hemp is also grown.
This country affords every facility for rapid
settlement and prosperous growth +; yet one gene
ration OF inhabitants have passed on to the tomb
and another is fast following in their footsteps,
and yet but lew works of public benefit have
been accomplished. The roads they travel are
mere prairie trails; streams are not bridged if
they contain water to float a ferry, and barns
and lruit trees are Of rare occurrence ENTERPRISE
is wanting, public spirit, and in fact, all the
great elements necessary to secure progress arc
sadly deficient. The traveller who has to pay his
dime 10 be ferrled over a stream one hundred
feet III width, and founders through miry bot
tom lands where turnpikes are unknown; who
sees mills and machinery driven by horse or OK
power, slakes his thirst on cistern water, drank
from gourd where lack of thrift is leg ibly
written upon all and every surrounding. is very
certain to see everything in all unfavorable
light; yet as country, it possesses superior ad-
vantages Its general health--a soil which can
not be surpassed-the great variety of agrcul-
tural products which may be grown, and the ad-
vantages Of the southern as we'll as the eastern
markets, presents inducements which cannot
long be overlooked. The greatest drawback to
prevent prosperity is the lack of water slthough
enough for stock can be obtained on ca h farm
with but little trouble and wells may be had
for the digging, yet there are but few streams
that furnish mill sites, and many dry up alto.
gether, which occasions great scarcity of
mills.
Emigration is now strongly tending towards
this section, and the traveller at this point meets
many Virginlans, who have abandoned their
worn ont lands and are here looking for oca.
tons. Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Him
ols are numerously represented. We notice Mr.
W from Culdwa er, Mich, among this
promscuous crowd he appeared much puzzled;
he finds good locations the advantages are ap
parent terms satisfactory, yet as he considers
the population, and looks around upon the char.
acter Of the emigrants he shakes his head in
doubt. One thing is certain, unless emigration
Of different class sets in, the northern family
will have much TO contend with and their gain
will be purchased at the expense of many com
forts. Respectfully Yours,
A. PARLlMAN.