The Kenosha telegraph and tribune. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1859-1860, 1860-06-07
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Champaign City, Ill, June /, 1860.

Nh@mPbiBH al, June i, loOOs
Surprising the readers of the Telegraph might
be interested by some observations of the country
in central and southern Illinois, I give some
hasty notes taken by the way
The country on the line of the Illinois Central
Railroad, south of Chicago, has made great adj
vances in the development of its agriculture! re.
sources, since my last visit. four years ago.
Then, between Chicago and this place--12s miles
not more than one-fourth of the land on either
side of the Central Road was enclosed, now it is
nearly all enclosed. There are, however, a vast
amount of vacant lands, only short distance on
both sides of the railroad of excellent quality;
these lands are owned by the Central Railroad
Co., and are held at prices ranging from twelve
to twenty-five dollars per acre-s pretty round
price for unmproved land.
Champaign City, formerly called West Urba-
ina, is the first town south of Chicago of much
importance except Kankak fifty six miles from
Chicago. This place Champaign City, is now
only some four or FIVE years old, having been
built up since the construction of the railroad.
1t is said to be one of the greatest corn markets
between Chicago and Cairo. was unable to
get the statistics of the number Of bushels bro't
here since last harvest, but the amount must be
immense, Large loads Of corn are continually
being brought in every hour in the day. To give
an idea of the extent of the corn business it may
be remarked that there are three corn Smelling
mills here driven by steam power, and two by
horse power these mills find employment a
good share of the time. The proprietor of ione
Of these steam power mills. informed me, that
it shelled out the at tho rate of 5000 bush>
els in ten hours. 1t takes three men with scoop
shovels, 10 keep the hopper filled with corn ears
while the mill is running.
Champaign City is beautifully situated, and
surrounded by most delightful country, There
is every evidence, that sufficiency of New Eng
land and Northern enterprise, pervades the pop
ulation, to give direction to the style ofimprove-
ments. The dwellings and business establish
ments are not large, but neat and in good taste
indeed it presents the aspect of new, neatly
painted city, without single old or dilapidate6
building any where to be seen. Besides, the
streets are wide, and almost without an excep-
ton have an ample supply Of shade trees. The
white elm, the most bea utiful of all shade trees,
is almost invariably the kind planted. This
is almost the only town l have seen in long
time which is not overstocked with business
establishments there is evidently room for sew
eral kinds of business here, which might be pur-
sued with advantage. 1t has but little competi-
ton over an extent of country twenty-five miles
east, the same distance ives land little less north
or south. .f..-
The crops in this vicinity are represented IS
being God with hardly an exception. Winter
wheat is now its full height and fully headed out
By the way, saw new wheat to day, harvest
ed his season, in Southern Illinois intend to
see where this wheat is grown in few days
Fruit in this vicinity is remarkably abundant;
the apple crop promises well the peach pros
pect it is said was destroyed by the cold last
winter This is not far enough south, to make
the peach crop a certainty.
The principal hotel in this place is kept by H.
McKoy Esq formerly of Kenosha Suffice it
to say the establishment, is most pleasant stop
ping place, and every way worthy of public pat
! onage. Our old Kenosha county acquaintance
Peter Martin, is also here, as good as new
apparently younger than eight years ago.
My next will be from Egypt, or at least from
its borders. f.