The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1862-05-28
Letter From Ashes !

AettcF FROM ASbcSs
CHICAGO, May 10th, 1862.
Dear 7imes:-Though manya day has
passed and gone since last we sat down for
a cosy chat, yet you are by no means for.
gotten. What have been the changes that
the lapse of time has made since "Ashes"
appeared in your columns? We cannot
take retrospective glance without sadden-
ing thoughts, and so let the matter drop,
promising more frequent call hereafter |?
Chicago is Chicago still, busy active,
prosperous. Her merchants are now SELL
ing goods to all the Northwestern States
and also to Missouri and Tennessee, and
the spring trade Of 1862 is the best they
have experienced since that Of 1857. I'm
provements are now going on apace, 1900
buildings are now in progress Of erection,
and at least 1000 more will be added dur
ing the summer. There has been large
emigration tending this way-not from the
eastern states as formerly-but from the
South, Union men-meh of means-who
have been forced to leave the scenes Of Sc
cession violence and bloodshed and betake
themselves, to point where the Stars and
Stripes still offer them that protection, to
which they have ever been accustomed
They make substantial citizens, and are
a valuable acquisition in every view.
The railroads ccntering here with the
single exception of the Illinois Central are
doing heavy traffic, and with their de-
creased expenses and economical mode of
working are perfectly satisfied with the re-
suits. In a stroll through several Of our
heavy jobbing houses a few days ago,
could not help remarking the great increase
in the amount of stock on hand, which is
the more noticeable in comparison with the
stock which has been exhibited during the
four past years. In one housa whose name
is well known to the people Of North
Iowa, | was shown five stories of large
brick building literally covered with mer-
chandizc of every sort, staple and fancy
dry goods, cloths, cassimeres, yankee no.
tions, etc, etc, and were told that fire.
quently country merchants have filled their
entire memorandum out of this one house.
For visitors we have many attractions, and
the crowded state of our first class Hotels
exhibit the part that pleasure seekers are
looking to their interest in this regard
Camp Douglas with its 10000 inhabitants
is one of the most noted places in the vi
cinity The six or seven thousand rebels
are apparently enjoying themselves hugely,
and express no very earnest desires for
liberty. They evidently are quite disgust
ed with the programme Of jeff Davis and
deeming themselves in safe quarters, evincl
no anxiety. The thousand and one ru-
mors which are continually retailed in a
great news centre like this, of the progress
of the war, and the taking Of sundry and
divers important points, tend to keep up q
state Of feverish excitement among our
citizens not at all desirable, and yet there
is no way Of avoiding it. For instance
last Monday it was implicitly told that Rich
mond was in possession of Gen. Mcclellan
the bells were rung and general rejoic.
ing was gone into. When 10 and behold
| it turned oUt to be malicious canard.
The lectrre Of thc Hon Edward Evorot,
delivered last night on "The origin and
character of the War" was as might have
been expected brilliant effort. The gifted
speaker sustained his high reputation-no
only as an orator but as statesman. To.
day we have balmy spring air-the trees
are putting forth their spring attire and all
nature rejoices at the restoration of season
| able weather. Yours,
"AsHEs."