Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-06-28
moro pretentions than Che tomb Of Gen.
oval Harrisop M North Bend

Innuuununnunruunr nusn.nnun1Hc1n
moro pretentions than Che tomb Of Gen.
eral Harrison at North Bend.
The St. Louis, Alton & Chicago is .
frst-class road, the officers and employees
gentlemanly and accommodating, and the
time made is better, l think, than on any
other road which we travelled. This road
aud the Hannibal & St. Joseph road we
found smooth and pleasant, with good
cars, and on the latter road all the officers
we met were gentlemen; the telegraphic
operators especially at Palmyra, Brook
field and St. Joe, aud Conductor Williams,
meet.
We passed through several nice towns
and villages between Bloomington and
Springfield. The names aud order are as
follows: Shirly, Funk's Grove, Mclean
Atlanta, LauDdale, Lincoln, Broadway,
Elkhart, Williamsville aud Sherman.
We left Springfield June 7th early in the
morning, on the cars Of the Great West
ern Of Illinois, and after pleasant run
of six hours, arrived at Quincy. on the
East bank Of the Mississippi River, al
IL o'clock and 20 minutes M; passed
through large prairies Of ten to fifteen
miles in width, to Berlin, small village
the lands generally under cultivation, and
the country well improved. Two miles
further brings us to Island Grove, a beau.
tiful clump Of timber we'll named Is
land grove. Fifteen miles further brought
US to Jacksonville, the seat of most Of
the benevolent institutions of the State
and, as l learned, termed from its literary
institutions the Athens of the State. The
country is fine to this place, becoming
more rolling as you approach the town
and there is more timber. Before reach.
ing Chaplin, the next. station, we got into
the timber, the country becoming more
rolling, ending in succession Of hill:
and hollows at Bluff City, eighteen miles
from Jacksonville, and continuing much
the samesto the town of Meredosa,en the
Illinois river, q stream about as large here
as the Great Miami river. The bottoms
on the West side OF the river are extensive
low and wet, to the bluffs soil sand and
clay. Leaving the river bottom, the road
runs up narrow valley, timber on both
sides, with a succession Of low hills OF
ridges, to Versailles and Hersman. Here
the country becomes more level, with
prairios and timber interspersed. to Mt
Sterling, large village, and the countr,
better improved, to Mounds Station
when you come To high, level prairies
which are continued until we pass Clay ton
Camp Point, Coatsburg, Paloma, Cliola-
all nice villages. After passing CAM
Point, the country becomes rougher, anC
the creek banks and bottoms are rock,
or grayelly, to Quincy, where fine stone
is found IN abundance. Quincy is large
town, and seems to be place Of import
ancc IN business point Of view. wa
not favorably impressed with the place
but have been assured that il was pleas
ant and very enterpriSing town.
And now, having reached, and beiDl
about to pass the Western boundary o
the State, it is proper that should sun
up the impression made upon my mind b,
the slight inspection l have been able L
make in this hasty run through a small
portion OF the State. And first though
a thousand times described, or attempte'
10 pe--no one. nas ever pTOOaDly W
formed corrcct idea Of It's boundless prai
les who has uot seen them. Their exton;
their beauty and their fertility exceed til,
most cxtrayagant notions formed by az.
description which any one has given
aud when the prices at which these land
can be purchased is taken into account, j
seems passing strange that men will TOT
on tho stony knobs " Ohio, Indiana an,
the older settled States, whilst SO man,
fertile acres In the Circuit Vest, uncultiya
ted and uuimproyed, Invite them to pleas
ant homes aud profitable investments
Illinois is a glorious State, young giant
and thousands would DO we'll TO leave th
worn out lands Of other States, and th
crowded streets, lanes aud alleys OF GU
towns aud cities, 10 engage IN the nobl
employment of tilling these grand oil
prairie acres, and enjoy the happiness an
independence proiiersd here 10 the indc
pendent American farmer.
My next will DO from Missouri.
Yours, w. CLARK.