The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-09-03
correspondence.
GEN. RosENCRANs' HEADQUARTERS,
ARMY MISS. RIVER, NEAR
CORINTH Miss Aup 10

J
for chair to say few things with refer
ence to my trip south, what l have seen,
heard, &c. I hardly know where to begin
or end my story. Took cars for St. Louis
by way Of Madison, GAINESVILLE, Chicago and
Springfield, the Goth ult =, at Q a. m. Wound
our way up the devious Wisconsin River
bottom. Very little that can attract the
attention Of the traveller, but the swampy,
and in places sandy, land. The general ap-
pearlnc, of the valley is quite unfavorable
for at asst about fifty miles up the river
Wheat was very forward, but a very small
crop; I should say not more than from six
to ten bushels per acre. Corn not more
than one-third as large as in Clayton Co.,
Iowa, and in most fields pale at that
AS We neared Madison, the land looked
looked better and the crops began to look
little like the ,cest. Strange that compos
mentis emigrants should have settled up
this portion of the river bottom land, when
the government was holding out to them
thousands and even millions of acres of the
best land in northeastern Iowa, for the
small sum of 81 ,25 per acre. Land enough
for any man for 5000.
Shortly we arrive at Madison. Eece
signum, there stands her State House in
bold relief, surrounded with beautiful foli-
ag,. Here is much to admire. The fin
ishing hand of genius and architectural
skill, is. everywhere visible. While you
behold this spacious and tasty palace no
one need tell you that architectural skill is
on the decline; that the west lacks in real
taste in architure. Well may Wisconsin
pride herself upon her State House.
All aboard! and we are whizzing along
the track in full view of some of the seven
lakes around Madison. After passing over
the neck of one Of the lakes, you pass
along near the Water Cure establishment,
then through thin timber out on to kind
of level, thin timbered and brushy low
land. The lakes above mentioned are all
named, and may be said to constitute the
Switzerland waters Of the State. Nothing
very inviting until within a few miles OF
GAINESVILLE here the crops look better but
not equal to Northern Iowa.
GAINESVILLE is really the business mart of
central Wisconsin-be;ng second IN inpor-
tance to Milwaukee. 1t is butl justice to
say that GAINESVILLE, Beloit, Rockford and
Dixon, all being on Rock River, exhibit
more taste and true civilization, and wealth,
than any other four cities of their size on
any one river, east or west, that ever saw.
Long may Rock River retain her enviable
position for good society, taste, education,
and most desirable locality for manuiac-
lures and agriculture. l would willingly
argue her cause against any other extent of
country that | have ever seen, though
should say that real estate here, is selling
for about twice what the same quality OF
land is in most parts Of Iowa.
Nothing Of importance occurred until
just as we entered Irish Dublin" in Chi
cago-l 600 Irish shanties near the r. r.
track. Down with the brakes! Cars stop!
People running back Somebody killed.
No; but there stood large masculine look
ing Irish lady, that had been thrown from
the track while trying to save her poor
muley that was on the track. The lady
was not seriously hurt, but standing up
with good Irish pluck. You must bear in
mind that the I,sh women are much at.
tached to ther cows and pigs.
Took supper in Chicago cars at 900 IN
the evening for St. Louis. Next morning,
when near Springfield, was disappointed
in not seeing the corn uniformly as large
as in northern Iowa. Corn very uneven
and some of it small and pale, not looking
as though it would make a crop. Whea:
rather short and thin, and generally weedy.
Oats rather short. Timothy grass usually
good though not clean. In short was
disappointed in the general appearance of
the crops, and thrift Of the country along
the Il. r. could not, during the few
minutes we stopped at Springfield, see that
neatncss and evidence Of taste and New
England tidiness, that | have seen about
Rockford and Beloit. tried to get peep
at Presidenet Lincoln's former residence,
but could not. However, fell into con.
versation with one Of his former neishbors,
who spoke of them, especially of his wife {;
of her social qualities power to please, &c.
About II o'ck l was opposite St. Louis {;
in full view Of the almost myriad of steam
boats, with their uniform tall smoke pipes,
stretching for miles up the river. After
being in St. Louis, you are sensible there
is but one St. Louis in the west. will
not do St. Louis the injustice to attempt
description, as she has been described in
the minutie by abler pens than mine; but
will only speak Of few things that partic-
ularly strike the attention Of visitors.
While approaching, for miles you can
see the stately dome of the court house
towering high, as if in disdain upon her
surrounding five story. buildings. You
arrive at the river then-get into the omni-
bus-all drive on the ferry boat-thcn off
again-and you are going up the river
bank-up into the business part of the
city. The Court House occupies one whole
square, having four wings; three stories |;
built Of kind Of grayish stone, very dur
able and well finished The dome is about
25O feet from the ground. Passing up the
circular and curious angling stairs of cast
and wrought iron, you are struck with ad
miraton at the splendid finish and design