Charles City intelligencer. [volume] (Charles City, Floyd County, Iowa) 1864-1866, 1864-08-04
Correspondence Of the Charles City Intelligence

franklin, DELAWARE Co., N. Y,

- ~ ~ July %, 1864. 4
FRrxND HItDRErH IT have purposed wri-
ting you briefly since left Floyd county, but
thus far have written to no one except my
family. Had not SO long time elapsed since,
left; 9th Inst, Il might be interesting to
note few incidents by way of comparison.
The storm of the 9Th, witch you say "came
near being tornado came upon us o few
miles north of Cedar Falls, and an inside seat
between two others, was preferable to one out
side of . stage. coach. The next day the
marks Of the storm were most visible at Win.
throp, but Independence, Manchester and Du-
buque gave evidences that they were not left
out of its course, showing how rapid and ex.
tensive was the storm.
The necessary time and expense of trip
east, to the Atlantic, may interest some one,
and will give IL. The railroad fare from
Dubuque to New York City was s2O,l5, and
to travel night and day about 4s hours time.
I left Dunleith Thursday at els P. M.--de-
layed two hours at Galcna by another train
running of the track-anived at Chicago
Friday $40 A. NJ. When, very hot most
sleeping cars are too close for comfort) Left
c. at $50 by the Michigan Central road arriv-
ing at the Junction of Grand Trunk Canada
route) at near 7 P. Nat 8 P. NJ were at
Port Huron, Mich. and crossed the st. Clair
river to Sarnia In Queen vic's dominions.
While on board the boat the British officials
announce that "the Custom House officers
are ready to examine the baggage Of passen-
gen" when all trunks, boxes sc. must be
opened and contents inspected. l noticed
that few II any satchels were required to be
opened, and that in most cases as trunks were
| opened and the assurance given that they con-
tanned wearing apparel or the like, the officer
hardly touched an article In fact, with all
my John Bull prejudice, / do not see how rev.
enue officials could have done their duty less
Extensively. .".h ....
The cars that We entered were quite differ.
ent in many respects from those we had Just
left. The tone and manner of conductors and
R. n. officials showed unmistakably that we
we're :" across the line" I had bought De-
troit evening paper, but the chr was 90 dimly
| lighted that could not read It.
The night gave very little opportunity to
study the scenery, but the dampness and chill
illness was such as could be felt very sensibly.
more so in fact than had for years experien.
ced. Like III. and Mich. 1t was very fiat or
level. and should Judge vet at most seasons.
Daylight Saturday brought us to Buffalo, and
here the cars are crossed over Niagara river
upon Ferry boat. -.
| At 8 IS A. NJ left B. and could be at New
York at evening--or rather in the night ]
reached Hancock, Delaware Co. on the N. Y.
Erie R. R. at 10P. NJ. tired and glad to
find quiet o rum tavern, for nearly all N.
Y country hotels are such-to their shame.
The country east of Buffalo, along the line
of the n. Y. and Erie r.. X. is very 6ne, cal.
culated even to awaken a little justifable
State pride in native New Yorkeri
| About routes east, wish tie say few words
Unless you wish to see Niagara Falls, or your
business calls you there, apoid the Canada routes
The Lake Shore Mich. Southern) is quicker
pleasanter, more reliable and mholly American
thing we ought to remember at present
Che Fort Wayne pa Was the cheapest q,
Chicago by $4,00-) -..n..
About business. crop prospects, &C., I sup
pose my Iowa friends would be Yankee enough
to inquire, and viii try and crafty them
with few brief observations. And frat, d
tho risk Of being believed . braggart away
from you--not trust at home-I will say tina,
no where have ! seen any thing like as good
prospects for staple crops a. in your own &c.
dar Valley! ! lam not mistaken, and IL live
to return l shall probably carry with me q
liyelier sense than ever before, that there arr
some few less desirable places in the loys
States than Floyd county. Pardon the di
erosion. r..rs W g.
Corn, potatoes and oats are the best crop,
upon which to base comparisons, as the whea
in some sections is nearly all spring sown, a,
with you, and in others fall or winter, as In
Mich. and Western N. Y. July 9Th and I'll
| carefully noticed crops in Iowa. The corr
would average about three feet in hight, pota
toes, one to one and half feet oats one ant
a half feet, or more. and all looked remarka
bly, strong and vigorous. In Michigan 9th
and New York 9th the corn would not aver
age over one foot high. potatoes six inches
oats so short in places as hardly to be measur
ed, and all three crops looking feeble and
sickly without hardly an exception. 1t is at.
tributcd chiefly to severe and continued
drought, but am positive that with simila,
season, the same crops come forward some
weeks earlier in your quick strong prairie soil
than in clay or loan soils. Winter wheat /.
light in many places and spring wheat not yei
ripe here. The hay crop Is excellent quality
but very light. Grain Of all kinds must and
will be high for twelve months at least.
Business chiefly butter making. AID stock
raising among farmers is good, as II is In most
other branches. Real estate q we'll a. goods
is high and most people are said to be making
money--A friend has just shown me check
for S274,00 the returns for 500, 90 in gold
that he lately sent to New York to be sold.
| Whittier are we tending p Labor ID high,
but not a. high as with you 50, 90 per day
and board is the common price Haying ID
nearly over and $3.50 Is now talked q the
price. ..-g7.s-,. . a-rg4g.
The late 500 900 call makes quite scnsa.
tion. ~ we'll II may-The people here do not
seem quite 30 thoroughly, terribly in earnest
to put down the rebellion and sure that it will
be done rs with you, but may be mistaken.
This-Del-county borders upon north east
ern Pa. 4 extends within 80 miles of the Hud.
son Rivers three times as large, as Floyd co.
near %, 900 Inhabitants wealthy. very
billy and largely settled by New Epglandsrs
has churches, schools, academies, orchards,
fruits, pretty girls and occasionally trout
left in its cold. soft water streams, As the
writer can testify.
Rest assured am going to return. If not
| enrolled and drafted, or something else befals
! me before get there. + ~ Z
This week leave here to attend Yale Col
| lege commencement and visit some other por.
Il ton. a. o~~ R.~l.nA