The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-05-04
Correspondence Of The Jc6ersonion Democrat.
From illinois.
WILMINGTON, Will Co. ILL.,, !
April 10th. 1860.

WILMINoroN, Will Co. ILL.,,
April 10th, 1860
EDIToR DEMOCRAT AN hour uncalled
for in the active duties of life is found, and
in compliance with your request, propose
to improve it, possibly to my own benefit
if not TO tho interest of your readers.
When, in tho years that arc past, in a
distant land, OH tho banks OF q majestic old
river that flows from tho snow.capped
mountains down to the Pacific, used tC
listen to tho heart.stirring notes Of those
sons of tho Northland, those honest sons o
Germany, as thoy sang of their homes OF
the Rhine, and saw memory's tear standing
on tho brown check, as tho ochoing straini
swept across tho river, plaintivo in tho &C
cent of tho "Fathcrland," my Imagination
would fly away ncross tho ocean to thcil
far.uf homo, and l tried to realize theil
feelings, for thcy wcro strangers, on q for
cgn shore, whio !. though far from homo
was still in tho land of my birth-our own
glorious America. A few evenings since, as
tho last light of sunset threw the shadows
of tho trees across tho tranquil waters OF
the river on tho banks of which wo have
found our home, tho full, clear tones of q
rich, melodious voice, went thrilling through
tho timber from a neighboring bank, and
cchoing along tho rivor, reached us at the
door. | looked, but could not SEQ the sing
or, and tho touching notes. called up OLD
memories, aud tho mind went back to oul
old home and associations in Ohio. NJ
homo, no near friends thcro now: DO you
. tbaf I pf fIn 1;ef ,iy
and the song of tho "Fatherlaud."
On tho banks of the Kankakoe, famed in
the marshes of Indiana, whero it has its
rise. for its "aguo chils," is our homo.
Hero, hundred fcot down It's high banks
tho water flows clear and rapid over limo
Stone bod. going on to meet. six miles below
tho Dcs Plain; thence. through the banks
Of tho Illinois, thcy flow onward to the
"Fnthcr of Waters and tho ocean forever.
Trees shade tho river all along, and in
many places sufficient timbor for all practi-
cal purposes, stretches back into tho prairie.
On either side. nice farm houses dot tho
prairie. and thousands of broad acres. rolled
| by the glittoring steel Of tho plough, give
their rich soil to tho sunlight Across tho
river, hero three hundred yards wide. is
seen commencing the gcniler slope of tho
southern bank. dark with tho new grass.
and stretching away to wdo table.and,
well shaded, where range hundreds of cattle.
that, in the warm, sunny days. como and
stand in tho cool, clear waters of tho river.
Amid tho trees, on this southern bank. as
it follows tho beautiful bow Of tho river
sweeping away from tho village of Whining.
ton. stand the fine residences OF somo of the
villagers. calling to mind many of tho choice
| spots have seen along tho banks OF our
own noble river, the Ohio.
From our door, the "stand point" which
havo taken for q milo south .easterly up
its course, in full view, stretches tho river
broad and majestic. making ono grand curyo
| up to tho long bridge over which thunder
daily the loaded trains of the ST. Louis. Al
ton aud Chicago Rail Road. Hero dividing,
it's course is around an island, and at the
same timc past tho village, coming. as it
wero, purposly around the island in its
lesser channel, TO tunn the machinery of
three or four largo mills. Once on Water.
! Uhe Main street running parallel with the
river.) wo find two largo brick Hotels, and
a third stands near tho depot. Morchan.
disng of every description from tho sollng
of bales of shooting down to the vending OF
tin whistles and wooden nutmegs." is done
in buildings from Pats shnnty up to the
thrce.story brick, with It's wide doors and
glass front; and, 1t report be true ,ghOiesaie
robbery is committed day and night, to the
amount of forty.fivo thousand dollars por
nnnum, in tho salo of bad whskey. There
arc four churches in town, four situate on
Kankakeo street, ono large, fine stOno edj'
tico, sonding its white cone far heaven
ward"--nOuo of mean prctenions--though
they look best inside. Ono largo brick
school building stands upon tho public
ground. Tho increase OF pupils demands
another.
Tho schools are conducted upon tho union
plan.
Some fine residences givo tho town an
inviting appearance, but wealth docs not vet
make the show hero that it does east.
Money is worth too much per cent. to bo in
vested in buildings.
The town is Republican. as is tho county;
but Douglas has his lricDds here who strong
iy urge his claims TO tho Presidency.
Tho last "got-off on him--is from a man
| in Knox County, who wr!tos that he is a
Roman Catholic. So far us ! am "posted,
carry his own state.
Our first visitor from Ohio, was the Jec
Jersoaida. welcomed by oil the family as
fresh from the press, OF tho 9th. 1t reached
MS on Monday, April 9th, as early us il
would in New0urgh.
Tho old farmers say thoy havo never
known so favorable Spring :or itting the
ground and putting in crops, as tho present.
Wheat aud oats are up and looking finely
and most Of the corn ground is ready for
the seed.
CHEEKY troes have boon in bloom some
days, and apple are just beginning to blossom
Spring wheat. sown since April Sth, is up
Less of halfway description, and moro OF
tho farming interests, by and by, whom time
will enable mo 10 form safer opinions.
Tho largest FISH story" oxtant. is of ono
being caught in tho river, q few days since
weighing $50 lbs. Three men, "all tight as
II brick" went down tho river, "for q fish.
A quarrel arose as to who should have the
jug of whiskoy. Thick tongues woro not
sharp enough, SO tho two "Succors" pitched
in, aGd ono speared tho other, until the
$50 lbs. man receiving tho heavy spear ia
his body foil on his back in tho river, while
Pat" tho third. never too drunk for bis
wits, stole the whiskoy, jug and all"
Yours, T.
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