Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1866-02-01

DAFEtPORTi Iowa, Jan 20, looo
Er. KkruBLIcAS.-I did not know but short
aud comprehensive note from wanderer from
Plymouth, mot o overland route" memory at
ally might insersst some Of your p,tro s, who have
an idea Of getting the other side Of sunlown in
pursuit of the 'far west
there is one thing very certain-that il is bound
to be the manufacturing city on the upper Missis
sippi. Its close proximity to inexhiustbs coal
beds, and its pneres, give advantages that not
in the possession OF any other city on the upper
Mississippi But what may interest our citizens
most, is, where that splendid limestone comes
from, and where il thu ultimate destination OF their
timber. Ancisntly, the Indians would say, if you
offered them a pint Of whisky for two dollar
mink skin--"swap." Well, swap il is, and swap
il tciH be. Well, here is the Cutter, ready to
take US back, over such bridge As the God OF
Nature alone can make-n length over half mile
back to Rock Island, Illinois.
Well, now, here again. at Rock Island, COM
fortably ensconsed in nv own room at the Union
House, kept by our kind host, Chas Hausgen. an
old Raroader, and familiar with miny on the Fit.
Wayne Road, will wind this thing up.
Rock Island 10 more Of a city in name tn IN it is
in natural resources. But it is very good place
to stop until you can find a more con,enal local
ity.
From Chicago to Joliet, had but little oppor
tunity of noting the face of the country. At the
latter place. how ever, the inhabitants seem to in
clude every of hcathenism, together with many
good and estimable citizens. 1t is possible that
this is on account Of one Of the Penientarss being
located here. II so. the propretors OF one horse
concern, ca led the - Hotel, must be incl udei
in that category.
From Joliet (which is in VIII county,, to OF
tawa the county seat of Lassele county, the coun-
try, in appearance, is similar to our own.
In Lsssello county there are insxhaustible beds
Of stone coal Within one quarter Of mile Of the
Rock Island Depot coal can be and is bought at
81 per ton, whilst at the same time coal is retail
ing in Chicago at S7,50@sS-only Ga miles Of
transportation requisite. Ii is not strange that the
poor in Chicago grumbe at Railroad monopoies.
visited these mines myself, and they seem to be
almost inexhaustibe especially in the neighbor-
hood Of Ottawa. Farmes, who had come with
| their ''bobs" from so miles north of Ottawa, and
stopping at the Farmer House, 80 well and CON-
fortably conduc ted by min host, Henry Rhel, said
they woul prefer hauling il that distance than 10
chop tho wood at home; and il was generally
conceded that this Rock Island Railroad moLoP-
DIV is one grand swindls.
Some ten or twelve miles west Of Ottawa is
Lasselle, in the western edge OF the same county,
where we come TO the terminus OF the Illinois ca
nal, and the Illinois Central Railroad and al
90 the Illinois river; and between those two places
YOU may tell Wheeler, and my good insured friend
Billy Hill. that they get stone enough to bui Id
up their corner. to iefy any of the elements
to which, it seems, that Plymouth is so destined 70
face.
In the name Of God, whs, has Plymouth done to
subject her enterprisng citizens to such immeasur
able. and app ,rently periodical losses.
/ had intended in this letter to have given yor
as near as could description of Peru. which il
directly across the Illinois river from Lssselle.
..ish you could sect. Little hills close together
bu, room on the top of each for a hou,s-moss o.
which ara built OF stone. But As have my note
with me, can see to this, perhaps. in another ipse
dixit. But must say here, that from Peru. tlro
Bureau and Henry counties to Rock Island. nevs
saw such beautiful farming lands. More anon.
Respectfully, ASTRAY.