West-Jersey pioneer., 1869-12-10
For the West Jersey Pioneer.
A TRIP TO THE WESTERN STATES.
'sFRoM CINCINNATI TO CHICAGO-CHICAGo TO
SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA"
BY ISAAC II. NICHOLS

Again we are on board the rushing train,
and Cincinnati is left far behind. The Lit
tie Miami Railroad passes through fine
agricultural district, and numerous beauti-
full farms are seen all the way to Aenia.
The distance from Xenia to Columbus, the
Capital of the State of Ohio, was quickly
passed over and that fair city of the interior
was reached. The Capitol building is fine
structure, as are also the many State edi-
fees located here. After leaving Columbus
no towns of any considerable Importance
were stopped at until our arrival st Crest
line, where the traveller strikes the Pitts
burg, Fort Wayne, and Chicago Railroad.
At this point fifteen minutes were allowed
for refreshments and the daily papers from
Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland, Toledo,
and other points are received. Time being
up we started for Chicago, the great trade
emporium of the west. Many noble towns
and villages were passed through, some
widely known for their manufactures, such
as Massilon, where the celebrated Buckeye
Mower and Reapers," I" are made.
The fertile State of Ohio, however, was
in few hours left behind, and we entered
upon the broad rolling lands of the old
Hoosier State. Through valley and hill,
along the margin of huge swamps, then out
into a noble prairie where thousands of
sheep, horses, and cattle, are seen quietly
grazing upon the luxuriant, juicy grass, of
natures own growth. In looking out upon
such scenes, we oftentimes felt like exclaim-
ing with the Psalnlist, verify ''the cattle
upon thousand hills are His and He has
made all things well Fort Wayne, Column
bia, Warsaw, Plymouth, Valparaiso, Ho-
bart, all thriving and improving towns,
were passed, and at about nine o'clock on
the Indiana line, and were soon swiftly run
ming o'er the grand old prairie lands of the
Garden State of the Union, the old Sucker
State-or Illinois-the home of Lincoln,
Grant, and Douglass. By noon we were in
Chicago, the great western metropolis.
'1Chicago!' rings out in stentorian tones
from the throats Of numerous hack and cab
drivers as we step from the cars to the
platform, while continual rushing and hal
loaing is kept up, of ''this way to the Mad
ison House" bingham House," "Chicago
House, (equal to New York city, and
numerous others of greater Or less note.
In the midst Of all this hubbub and clamor,
we managed to escape from the noisy crowd,
and in company with a friend, made our
way into the heart of the city. Having
gained it's business centre, we took a stroll
through several of the principal thorough
fares. Lake and Dearborn Streets were
travelled from beginning almost to end, and
we must say, (having visited most of the
great cities of the Union), that for beauty
thriftiness, together with Yankee drive, and
sharpness, Chicago leads the van. The bus
mess houses of the city are large and hand
some, and the amount of sales actually
The City Court House is a fine edifice situ-
ated in the great public square. We as
cended its winding staircases to the cupola,
from which we had a grand view of the
city, its suburbs, and Lake Michigan. The
Board of Trade Rooms were next visited,
where the great trade in wheat, corn, buck
wheat, and other cereals, is constantly
being carried on by the buying and selling
of thousands, and millions of bushels.
| Speculation here rules rampant, s'corners'
being often made, and fortunes gained and
lost in an hour Chicago may properly
be called the greatest grain, (as well as spec
ulating) market in the world. Large guam
titles of all kinds of cattle and stock are
also bought and Sold The Chicago mar
kets are well stocked with suitable eatabies
- s,,nnIv the wants of her thousands sof
citizens. Bear steaks, venison, buffalo, ana
L. 4os,, of numerous other animals, can be
I'D hot smoking, and juicy, at WORD, oy
....,,,;,o into any Of the restaurants or hoteis
n the CITY. Among the many ilne pup,io
,,;,d;nos we noticed moro especlany' on0
a.oat Crosby Opera House, in whien 'i'e
sssNat;ona, Republican Convention 90.
H., y ,om;nated U. S. Grant our pIeseno
Chief Magistrate, and the lfaoa10 rs.ah -
mo one Of the most complete Prin'ns A.'a a.,.
,.1sso,t. ,s IN the world. They are posn
.saan;f,oent lar specimens Of architecture sAll'
mss ma ..oss nron,inent point of interest IN
rb;caoo. however, is the statu'0 " s4'o low
SENATOR Douglass. 1t has oeeh pi.aoss' on
- - the finest thorougfares, OF tne Guy,
III aps Avenue, near the shore Of that mag g
a;scsnt -ss sheet Of water, known as the chief
Of lakes-grand old Michigan. a fine