Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1859-08-20

WESTERN coRRRspoNDENcr,
FOND Du b~Ac--scxNERr AND ApvAN7Aofs,

AZ the Southern extremity Of Lake winnebaso
stands Fond Do Lac. the fountain City" FIJI.
teen years ago, when frs: thy ehildhood's eve rest
ed upon the site it seemed q waste Of vet prairie
land. seeming, q general camping place fr shs
Menononee Indians. Three houses, only, conipos.
ed the town Of F. upon either side a dis
lance, perhaps, Of three miles stretched o belt Of
timber, beyond again, the prairie. To the pioneer
the scene was such as might arouse the feelings
of desolation, mingled with those Of admiration,
for its wildness, and loneliness. To delineate how
rapidly this section Of country became settled,
'twould be but to mark the lightning speed OF
progression a. il rattles across the wide west, from
year 10 year when we state that Fond Du Lao
is a city of 10000 inhabitants, The central spot
from whence eliminates a power of mighty interests,
both politically and socially, IL is sufficient to dss-
cribe in part its rapid growth. Standing at the
head of Lake Winnebago in q position to receive
all the advantages incident to an inland city.
where ell further emigration west mus. Of neees.
sity pass, it is destined to become one of the great.
est and most influential cities of the State. The
country round about is of excellent location and
soil-rich and yielding abuntan,ly highly provid-
ed with every advantage, of a farming country;
chiefly openings and prairie. Broad undulsting
prairies may be seen upon either side of Fond Du
Lac of about 6 to 8 I miles in width west q heavy
belt of timber merging again into a prairie beyond;
cut, here and there with a stony ledge, small
lake. or creek. My readers can Imagine such .
section of country SO diversified, to be a scene Of
no common beauty. And years ago. when scarce
u roof or heightened fence, was to be seen within
10 or IL miles of p, l have stood and look
ed abroad over the flower graced prairie, and
caught the breeze and perfume, laden from the
green forest beyond, wondering if there was an
other spot in the whole wide world equally %
beautiful as this wild uninhabited region of the
great North West. Gazing thus, my childish
thoughts would wander back to the old Bay State,
where it's sounds Of life re-echoed among the hills
and residences of art: science. literature and
progression were traced upon almost every SEQ
ton, and l thought how great the change from
that home of my birth, to this wild, beautiful spot,
dressed in it's role of unsullied nature, as il was
centuries ago. save the footprints of the Savage.
How my admiration donned it's flares. robe, to-
receive the great scene.
Now the waving grass of that prairie plain is
broken, dry, short. pale the long train of swihly
rolling cars, sweep across the fats. dart through
the groves and woods. making a different melody
from what heard fifteen years ago. Three and
four steamers come and 20 from the river docks
one from Green Bay, another from Oshkosh, and
two others from the Wolf River. The city proper
is about "a miles in length. Fond Du Lac River.
q small stream, runs along its western limits, emp
ties into the lake about half a mile below the city.
Seven large churches. rear their tall spires toward
the blue above, the domes of other large and beau
tiful buildings glisten in tho sunlight. The
Court House is a slightly building of three stories,
situated in a beautiful park upon Main Street.
The Lewis House is q hotel that has no rival in
the State.
The streets are in good order, we'll sidewalked,
and shaded mostly with elm, maple and locust.
The city is divided into three wards; upper, mid
die and lower ; the latter lying near the mouth Of
the river. Commercial traffic is confined solely to
this ward. The only objection ever raised against
the Fountain City" is, that during the spring.
the lowlands are drencbed with water, the streets
at times almost impossible.
1t is called Fountain City," from tho fact; il
being low. and level, good water could only be OBJ
tanned by boring many feet. When this is done
the cold, reviving liquid spouts up from the cool
depths below, always cold, fresh and invigoratins.
Probably there is no place in Wisconsin blessed
with such excellent water, as 1.-THE fountain water(
Fond Du Lac. The Cars, two trains. from Mil
waukee, pass through r to Oshkosh making
immediate connection with Green Bay and Wolf
River boats. Fond Du Lac. has at the present
time every evidence Of a great city, and centre
metropolis for the future, that is not far distant
with its enviable position. Both commercially and
in agriculture it will soon stand upon an emmi-
nence with any city Of our Middle States.
Yours. truly. SOPHIA E. WALKER.
APPLETON. August. IL. 1859.