The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1866-06-30
Contradictions.
Letter from the West.
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA,
- rln

June 3D., 1866.
Perhaps few Western cities afford better point
of observation than Indianapolis. 1t is inland
has no water communication, is not manufac-
turing centre and is not tavorably situated for
controlling an extensive wholesale and shipping
trade. Hence its growth is more likely TO be
identical with the Development of the coun-
try around it, than that of river city like Gin
cinnatti or St. Louis, or lake city like Chicago
or manufacturing centre like Pittsburg. De-
pending mainly upon the agricultural resources
of the section in/which it lives, its increase has
been slower and steadier. Yet men are to-day
doing business in this, city of $4,000 inhabi-
tants, who saw the ground upon which it stands
when it was tensnted only by the aboriglnes OF
the forest. 4.s,. E
Nine Railroads radate from here to all points
of the compass, crowded with passengers and
bearing the rich products of their several Sec
tons to their destined markets. The stranger
feels at once that he is in great city. Horse
cars carry him through most Of the principal
streets. The streets themselves are wide, clean,
and well-paved with boulders taken from the
bed of the White river, on the east bank Of
which the city is built The people are brisk,
restless, active. The rush and clatter of business
are heard on all sides. The stores are large and
gotten up in the best style. The better class of
private residences are chiefly on the suburbs and
are uOuelS Vi cleBbuCc, anu HOOu .laStCJ
surmounted with ornamental shrubbery that
gives them an air of courtly repose seldom to be
found in city of such recent origin.
Il Not only in material prosperity and actual
growth, may Indianapolis be taken as fair spe-
cimen of the West, but equally so in those en-
larged and humane charities for which the West
ern people are deservedly noted. Large, attrac-
tive and thoroughly furnished institutions are
located here for the instruction Of the Blind, the
Deaf and Dumb, and for the care of the insane
and panper. Here too are the State University,
the Indiana Asbory University, besides several
Female Seminaries all of high order of schol-
arship. The State itself has made liberal provi-
sion for the education of her sons. The income
of permanent fund of over four million dollars
with an annual tax of sixteen cents per hundred
dollars on the real and personal property of the
State, go to the support OF thorough and we'll
organized system of Public Free Schools. Each
Township is likewise furnished by the School
Department with public Library of standard
historical, literary and scientific books, for free
circulation among the people. The city supports
four daily newspapers, three English and one
German, besides number of secular and relig-
ious weeklies. The largest and most hourishng
printing and publishing establishment is that of
the Journal, which has always been an able and
fearless advocate ofloyalty and Union. We paid
visit to the Office during our stay in town, and
found it well furnished with Hoe and Adams
presses and doing large amount of Book and
job printing The city is wel-suppled with
good Hotels, has an extensive Rolling Mill for
the manufacture of Rail Road iron with agricul-
tural implement and other factories ofless impor-
lance The General Government, by a recent
act of Congress, has purchased eighty acres of
ground near the city, on which it is erecting a
large and magnificent Arsenal for the use of the
Ordinance Department.
Indiana ranks among the first states of the
Union for patriotic devotion during the late war.
Her soldiers were among the bravest and truest,
her people among the most loyal and unyielding.
She bears on her proud record the names of such
men as Maj Gen. Alvin P. Hovey, Col. A. D.
Streight of Libby Prison notoriety, and Others of
equal fame. In spite of the teachings of such men
as Hendricks and Voorhees,, the State has remain
ed true to the principles of the great Union party.
Politically it has always been aclose State Even
those familiar with her politics rarely venture
much on the result ofa general election. 1t is
confidently hoped however, that in the coming
election for members Of Congress and several
important State officers, the Union candidates
will be chosen. r
Stepping outside of Indianapolis, in any d.
rection the traveller finds himself in one of the
finest agricultural sections of the West. Though
partaking of the generally level character of the
country, the land is sufficiently rolling for thor
ough drainage. Consequently there is less ten
dency to ague and similar diseases here than
where stagnant pools and marshes abound
This section was originally very heavily wooded,
but enough has been cleared to present a pleas
ing variety of landscape. Within a radius of
ten miles from the city, the farms range from
80 to l60 acres in extent. They are well-fenced,
furnished with tasteful and substantial dwellings,
and such farm buildings as are necessary
where stock is rarely housed throughout the
year and all crops prepared for market as soon
as harvested. A noticeable feature is the ele-
gance and taste displayed in the erection and
adornment of the country residences. The peo-
pie seem to take special pride in identifying their
homes and surrounding them with all the at
fractions of sylvan adornment
Along the water courses, and even elsewhere,
from four to six feet below the surface lies bed
of gravel. This material is used for covering
the prominent roads ofthe country and makes
firm and durable track for wagons.
The thorough system of Rail Road communi-
cation through the West, makes the land here
highly valuable for agricultural purposes. 1t is
of the most productive quality and the proximity
to good market, assures good prices to the
farmer. Within two or three miles of the city,
small tracts sell for from $3.50 to $3.50 per acre,
and 500 per acre is not an unusual price for
farms lying ten or more miles from the city,
Yet within sight of the city one may still see the
rude cabins of the original settlers, built Of I'M
hewn logs, with single chamber which serves
all the purpose of kitchen, bedroom and parlor
for a large family, entered by single door hung
on wooden hinges, lit by window offour panes
and the whole establishment covered with shin
giles split from the forest around
The timber is chiefly poplar, beech, walnut,
oak and maple, and the bottom lands of the
White river bear some magnificent specimens of
these several species. At a saw mill near India
napolis the other day, we noticed number of
walnut and poplar logs, measuring over four
feet in diameter Most of the buildings are con-
structed entirely of wood, and this is also the
principal fuel. The coal for manufacturing pur-
poses is chiefly brought from the Ohio mines.
The Eastern traveller cannot fail to be impress
ed with the inherent greatness and rapid devel-
opment of this Western country. Every train
brings a succeeding wave of sturdy emigrants,
strong in health and hope, vigorous in action,
shrewd in business and loyal to the institutions
of our free country. Every day is fastening
realization whose grandeur and glory never en-
tered into the most exaggerated visions of the
fathers who laid the foundations of Freedom and
unity on the Western Continent. l.. Nj. h.
Letter from the I'd District.
powrrris RrN lime 18th 1896