The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-09-16
sonthern Illinois.
EyASsyrLLE, Sept. IA, 1855


EpIroR JouRNAL.-I was pleased on read
ing an account Of those grapes that found
their way here from Golconda, Pope county,
Illinois, and as have just returned from
a tour of two weeks through that interest
ing, though somewhat moderated, portion
of Southern Illinois, | can verify the truth
of the statement made in your journal as to
the fruit being finer than have ever seen
elsewhere. The apples, peaches and grapes
are very fine 1.-The growing crops of grain
are in most Aourishing state, although the
farmers in that section suffered, with most
other districts, from the long drouth this
summer. tfl i r-r
My object, in writing this, is to call at
tention to this long neglected portion of
country, which has as fine climate and as
excellent soil as any portion of these Uni
ted States. Many false impressions are en-
tertained, / know, respecting this section of
country, which is called the Egypt of IiI-
nois. / do not see any resemblance to the
country of that ancient name, in the district
of Pope county. 1t may be they are not very
enlightened butare very rural and thinlypop-
ulated by highly educated persoTsf query ?
There are now many German emigrants
settled there, and am sure, if the possibil-
tiles of obtaining land in that district were
known, it would soon be peopled by as in
telligent, and honest, and industrious class
ofsettlers as any part of the country. There
are all the inducementsfo fora large farming,
fruit-growing, and manufacturing popula-
ton. There is an abundance of coal, iron,
and timber of almost every size and kind. To
the farmer it offers many advantages be-
tween the ridges of the land, there are end
less ranges for stock, and during the sum-
mer months abundance of feed for cattle
and hogs.
| Lusk Greek, with its thousand branches,
at each rise of the Ohio river, finds its way
into the most distant parts. Land can now
be bought by actual settlers at from three
to FIVE dollars per acre; and some portions
that know OF, can be obtained on time at
those terms. 1t does seem lamentable to
me, that so~fine a climate, good soil, and
every other advantage necessary for the
creation of wealth and the maintenance OF
health and happiness to an enterprising peo-
pie should lie so close at home unimproved,
while thousands are seeking locations in the
distant regions of Nebraska, Kansas, and
other territories.
There are good Touring and saw-mills in
the county, but no market for large quanti-
ties of produce nearer than Golconda or
Shawneetown; yet in every district stores
are kept where produce can be exchanged
for groceries and other commodities. A new
road has been opened quite recently from
Golconda into the heart of the county, and
already many cabins have been put up on
it, and land cleared, and the beginning
made for many houses. If you feel any
pleasure in helping to turn attention to thi:
portion of Illinois, which is as adjacent tc
this city as some of the Indiana inland
counties, and the people are customers tc
this place, think you would be comforting
good on many families seeking home
but not knowing where to establish them.
selves. am willing to offer any informa.
ton can to sober and industrious persons
who would like to locate in this fertile sec
ton Of Illinois. Yours, truly,
Z. G. SMITH.
CRESCENT Cry GALLERY.