Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-05-09
Especial Correspondence Of the Fmplre.l
A Railroad Ride TO the Lake,

SANDusKv, May 7, 1859
A railroad ride from Dayton to sandusky, at
this season Of the year, is a very pleasant jour,
ney, especially IL we fall into good company.
che road, notwithstanding the heavy rains and
high waters drrng the past few months, is ger.
orally in good order, and doing good business,
under the management of Mr.. Hudson. The
conductors, engineers, brakesmen aud other
employees of the company, are all quiet, polite.
and attentive TO their duties The road is well
equipped with machinery and cars, pnd is doing
a large freightug business
We have never seen the country look more
beautiful, from Dayton to this city, than II docs
at present The heavy rains have ceased and
the waters have subsded, and the wheat fields
never gave better promise Of bouutiful yield.
Fruit is believed to be out of danger, and once
more we may expect our barns, our grsnaries,
and our orchards 10 be filled 70 overlooking.
Farmers now employ all the force they can, and
are as busy as bees, aud the earth is in excel
lent condition for blowing. The towns look
somewhat deserted, as the farmers are too busy
to go to town but every business man is SAT-
guine that we are on the eve Of unprecedented
prosperity. Now is the time for spectators to
buy farms, houses and lots. The wilderness is
fast disappearing, all along the railroad, and
splendid farms are now being opened. The
towns are growing rapidly, and in few years
mora the whole Of Northern Ohio will be densely
populated. Timber on lands recently bought
along the railroad on credit, is sold for enough
to pay for the land and prepare II for the plow
This city is no longer troubled with muddy
streets, as it is now handsomely McAdamized
and paved Throughout Stone is so abundant
and cheap that tLe.e is no excuse for being
troubled with mud. Many Of the finest build,
ings are constructed of stone. The stone for
building. usually quarried from their cellars, is
about the right thickness, of blush color and
makes splendid looking building. The large
five story hotel, with a dome that looms up
above all Others from every direction, owned
by the brothers West, is built of this stone.
Lumber is also abundant and cheap. MIR
Hubbard has very extensive yard filed with
lumber from his pine .wonds in Michigan. He
procures all his timber from his own lands,
saws it, brings it in his own boats, and sells it
in his own yard.
The ice and fish trade now appear quite brisk
Among the largest and most honorable dealers
are The Messrs. Riker 4 Hubbard. A brig is
now unloading into the sandusky, Dayton and
Cincinnati railroad cars a cargo of ice from
Mackinaw, that is taken out IN blocks from two
TO three feet square, az clear as crystal. The
cargo consisted Of about 900 TONS which was
bought by Mr.. West at two dollars per ton, aud
a large portion Of il Immediately sold at four
dollars per ton to gentleman from Cincinnati.
The cebergs in the hold of the vessel reminded
US of the Arctic regions.
gentleman from the north says that abun.
dance Of ice can still be procured from Lake
Superior. Car loads are now being constantly
transported to Cincinnati. and monopolists OF
the article are in danger. Fresh fish are still
abundant here, but go OFF rapidly.
The grape culture on theislands now appears
to be the most sure road to riches. Grapes
and fruit are never effected by the drought frosts
or mildew on the islands in Lake Erie, and even
last year produced the usual crop. Thousands
of vines have been planted the present season
and it will not be long before the islands o
Lake Erie will be clothed with Vineyards
Kelley's island contains 9 800 acres, is a very
attractive watering place, and viii be visited
by thousands of pleasure seekers the present
season. The steamer Island Queen runs daily
from this City to Kelleys Island and the Bon
ME Boat touches the smaller islands and run,
f daily to Fremont.
Ward, of BuffSlo, is about to put on a splen
D did line of steamers that will run daily in con
$ nectiOn with the Cincinnati, Dayton and San
' dusky road to Toledo, Detroit and CLEVELAND
!, and Buffalo. The Bay City now runs to Detroit
A passage from this city to New York now onl'
costs from seven to eight dollars, and freight i
proportionably low. The New York Central
il is claimed here, has the largest purse, AM
will bring the other lines to their terms Thi
road has q heavy local business, upon whicl
they make no reduction, and say that thei
through business does not amount to more tina
= one fourth their profits at any time, and consC
: quently they can stand a los $ Of ten per cent
: without feeling it sensibly.
The Lake to day is as smooth as a mirrol
and n steamboat ride this warm weather
most delightful. From my window at West
e Hotel have a splendid view of the Bay, an
: numerous boats on its surface, steamng 0
t sailing to the islands and Lake. This Hotel
s one of the largest and best furnished in tn
J. west, and the brothers West deserve credit 70
their enterprise. AS the bell has summoned u
to tea, and must prepare to leave for home Il
the night train, will here close for the present
by informing you that the Lake is now highe
than ever it has been known TO be before, ben
two and half feet above its ordinary level
Yours,