New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-04-27

THE GERMANS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS
Within the last two years the well directed
efforts of landowners and other interested
persons have induced large emigration from
Germany TO Southern Illinois. There were
previously numbers Of Germans in that region
scattered among isolated settlements; but they
were SO little in communication with their
own people, and, by consequence, 30 ignorant
of the affairs of the country, that they voted
the Democratic ticket, while in Missouri, on the
contrary, they occupied large districts, to which
the newspapers printed in their own tongue had
access, and they voted the other ticket. South
ern Illinois is an indefinite term, but we may
say that it is triangle formed by the Ohio
and Mississippi Rivers and the Ohio and
Mississippi Railroad, although the region IS
often considered to extend from 80 to 100 miles
further north The triangle we speak of is
nearly equilateral Each side of 1t is about
$50 miles long, and line bsecting it and ter
minating at Cairo as the apex, would be about
100 miles long. The northern portion, about
50 miles wide, is prairie lnterspersed with
groves, and mostly level, while the southern
portion is more or less hily, and unless cleared,
covered with heavy timber. The Illinois Cen
trail passes through this region from north to
south, terminating at Cairo, while from
the same point a road is now in process OF
construction leading to Vincennes, Indiana.
The climate is warm, Spring is early, and Fall
is late; the soil being for the most part fresh,
is highly productive, and the whole region is
eminently suited for the growing of great
variety of fruits, particularly of the early
sorts. Wheat is raised of superior quality, and
on the prairie hay is cut for export
The inhabitants are mostly from the South
ern States still there are people from every
part of the world schools have been few and
poor, and public enterprise has not been marked.
In those portions remote from the river and
railroad, life has been Of the most primitive
kind the fashions, customs, and even news
of the world entered slowly; domestic manu-
features and rural industry supplied almost
every want years brought few or no changes,
and the people were born and lived and died
knowing little of the rest of mankind,
and caring less The war changed them
much. Gen. Logan taught them that they had q
country, and the return of their soldiers from
the wars with new smart clothes and well-cut
hair gave them the idea that there were other
places than Jonesboro', Marion, or Golconda.
Before the war; farms with fair improve
| ments and in rural and secluded settlements
could have been bought, had there been anybody
with money to buy, for IS to $40 an acre while
some farms, not so desirable, but still containing
much of the elements of bacon and human
beings, were held as low as SO an acre, or per-
hans So 50, Since the war these prices have add
yanced 100 per cent, while near railroad towns
tl,e price is from geo to $40 an acre, and in
choice locations more than double this Within
ten miles Of the Illinois Central, this Company
still owns much land, which is held from $40
to 900 an acre, with long payments.
The recent influx of Germans has made q