The Goodhue volunteer., 1863-09-16
Oar Trip.

We have been away on business, rustica-
ting-down to the rural to wns OF Chicago,
and Milwaukee. And we would not forget
to mention that we have procured new
supply Of printing material, so that if any
Of our numerous friends and patrons are
distressed to have nice.job done, we think
we can administer to their suffsrings.
1t was our good fortune to make connec-
tion at the little town Of Wjnona, with that
splendid "iloa;ing palace" the Northern
Light, than winch there is not better boat
on the "Fathcr Of Watcrs.' Capt. Cab
bert, and Clerk, John P. Farley, hold a
large place in the affection of the travelling
public
The temptation was too strong for
a weak mortal like us to resist, so we went
down to Dubuque-thence back to Prairie
Du Chen, thence to Chicago. Dubuque is
not what it was in 1856. Then nearly all
the up river trade found its way there
Now, although that traao is much larger
'""H the", 'ItIo VI ~ SotS 'o"u AN0I past
Prairie Du CHEN. We do not mean that
any Of it stops at Prairie Du Chen, but it
turns off Ahera-to Milwaukee and Chicago.
such Of 1t al does not turn off at La Crosse.
Speaking Of Prairie Du Chen, We must
say, that it IS the most desolate, God forsa-
ken, diiapidated place, we have ever seen in
the West. Its buildings are old and in
ruins; its business has left it, and altogether
it wears very WOO 'begone appearance.
We wero there part of two days, and dur
ing that time we did not see single team
III % place, except the hotel bus, nor did
we see the slightest indication Of business,
We see more business in Red Wing every
ten minutes, than we saw there all the time
we stayed. We pray to be delivered from
ever spending another day and night in
Prairie Du Chen.
In one respect, at least, they keep ahead
Of other places that is iu respect to charges.
AT the Mondell house, we were charged
tho modest little sum Of two dollars Ger
day, for the privilege Of stopping at that
fourth rate Hotel.
We saw tho celebrated Wizard Ice Boat.
In attempting to get it on the ice, it got
across the railroad track, and became
wreck. which it has been ever since, and il
likely long to be. It is pity that the in,
vention could not have had thorough
trial. 50 -,
We have been up and down the M,ssis
sippi river many times, and we have noted
carefully the indications Of business atsthe
principal towns ard cities. along its banks,
aud we say with confidence, that but very
few Of them can compete with Red Wing
And for beauty Of location Red Wing sur.
passes them ALL -
Winona is, and will continue to be aI
natural outlet to the trade of large por-
ton u Southern Minnesota; I.s Crosse
will always be shipping point Of cousid
erab'e Importance, but outside o, these
there is no place between st. Paul and Du.
huque, that enjoys better prospects than
Red Wing.
There has never been time when the
merchants and business men of Chicago
aud Milwaukee, felt as independent as now
Trads never wrs so good in either place as
this fall. Merchants complain that they
in both places that they cannot get goods
enough to supply their customers. and ~,
stacks Of goods meet the eye, whichever
Way one turns.
While ia Chicago. we took 3 stroll into
Bowen Brothers. They were as busy as
bees. They have perfect army Of clerks,
and every one has all that he can do. Their
goods are assorted. and slowed away in the
story that il dedicated to that particular
class Of goods: 20 tha. il > person calls for
an article that IS in another story, he is d.
rec.sd.to The place. and b finds clerks
there n raj. upsn hin. Nsssrs. Bowen
Bros. r,ceivs large share Of ths Aiacsso-
II trade, and ore special hvori.es with our
Red Wing ,nerchants vho trade y Ohica-
90, on account of The ever present snil'ng