Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1859-06-13
Correspondence Of the Empire.
DIRKER HOUSE, ST, MARYs, /
lima 9th 1880

having uehfu great many ulUeIent Opins
ions in regard to the damage sustained by
the crops, have taken bmo pains to gain
all the reliable information could collect in
Miami, Shelby, Auglaize and Mercer, on
this important subject, In Miami have
seldom beheld a better prospect for corn,
wheat, barley, rye and oats. 1t is true the
corn in some fields is badly bitten, but ii
will generally, am told, sprout up again -
The wheat is believed to be but slightly in
jured
In Shelby, the wheat is generally heavy
on the ground and promises well. This
county produces a great deal Of small grain
and grass. The corn has been nipped in
many places, but with seasonAble showers
will yet do we'll All along the rail road
from Sidney to Lima, the crops look better
than anticipated.
From WapakOneta to this place, took the
old fashioned stage coach, and had fine op,
pOrtunity to view the country, in company
with right social set Of travellers who new
er met before, and perhaps will never meet
again. They we're from the east, west, north
and south, all going to the ancient town Of
St. Marys, and reminding me Of the good
old times when travellers become acquaint-
ed had good social chat, and often times
formed enduring friendships. The Doctor
and his lady gave us an interesting descrip-
tion Of southern customs and southern in-
stitutions which interested us very much
The eastern gentleman, who was in the
wholesale jewelry line, gave us some items
in regard to the manufacture and price of
jewelry that astenished us of tho backwoods.
We learned from him that I" all is not gold
that glitters,' and that there is not much
wasted after all, in manufacturing jewelry.--
Our western companion had travelled oil
through Iowa, and says that he left Keokuk
on Monday. The frost had not injured any
thing there, nor had it done any damage in
southern Illinois, or in any part from which
he had heard Indeed according to his con-
versation there was very little grain or corn
in southern Iowa to destroy He said that
his farm in Iowa was large out Of 200 acres
of wheat, he did not believe he would get
bread for his family, as it had nearly turned
to cheat and that his 500 acres of corn was
inundated with water. His picture Of Iowa
was anything but encouraging. Still no was
not discouraged, and hoped for full crops
again from so good a soil when the seasons
are more propitious. He claims that the
soil of middle Iowa is the richest in the
West. Our companion from the north says
that very little or no damage was done by
the frost in Michigan, and that there will be
plenty of peaches, apples and berries, as
we'll as splendid crops of wheat, barley, ETC.
All along the plank road, from WapAkonets
to st. Marys, over which we have just trav-
elled the country is in high state of inn
provement, and the wheat is heavier thar
any we have before seen. Twenty years
ago it was all wilderness, and it was diff
cult to find the way through it to this place
A friend Of ours attempted to make the TRIP
through, lost bis way, and to keep clear o.
the wolves climbed tree, where he remain
ed oil night, In the morning, il was with
great difficulty he reached settlement
Now it is as fine farming region as can b'
found. West st. Msrys, at that time, was q
small place and was the depot for those en-
gagged at work on the canal and reservoir
| East st. Mary was then laid out, larg,
hotel built and furnished, but the undertak
/ ing was in advance of the wants Of that pc
riod The Hotel was sold and became th'
property of its present worthy proprietor
Fred. Dieker, and is now one of the bes
houses and kept by one of best landlords il
. the State
! East St Marys is constantly growing il
wealth and population. The water pOwe
furnishes a number of large grist and saw
mills with cheap and permanent power 70
fifty run of burrs, and is the finest wate
power north of Dayton. Grain bears bet
ter price here than in the southern portion
of the State as it can be easily shipped b.
canal to the lake.
The Reservoir, ten miles long, four mile
wide and from ten to twenty feet deep, is
mile and half west Of this place. tis
beautiful sheet of water and a fine place 70
I fish, wild geese and ducks. A party wen
out to fish this afternoon and had iine tport
Bass have increased in numbers within tn
, last two years in the Reservoir, and it
q thought that they will finally exterminat
the catfish, who were the original iahabi
tants Of these waters. This is certainly
9 very desirable exchange and a mark Of i'm
}. provement, which keeps pace with the civil
S iEation of the other inhabitants of thi
country.
q West St. Marys is principally occupied b
families as residences, and nearly all th
IS business is now conducted in East St Mary
y where large number Of manufsotu rerl
Il commodius stores and stoFe.houses are to
s found. The two places contain about tiftSs
. hundred inhabitants.
But find that must here close, or til
Is you and your readers. leave for Lin
& to day.
!; HdS-Ths Cincinnati Enquirer Of Saturds
, says Governor Chase, we understand, wa
in this city on Saturday and Sunday lat
. busily engaged 10 laying political wires fc
i the nomination of ken man from this eouni