The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1870-01-27

and bids fair to become one or the hrSt
in Kansas | was told company was
formed to dam the river, and when they
shall have accomplished the work they
well have an abundance of water power
to propel any amount of machinery. The
capital of Kansas, Topeka, is situated 30
miles west of Lawrence. | was told the
lands in that section were Of very fine
quality, especially south. Returned to
Tonganowie after having very fine visit
with my son-in-law's brother, DR.. P. L.
Rice and lady. had like to have for
gottefito mention that attended a Meth
cdist meeting at Tonganowie, in a logI
School House, and heard very sensible
and interesting discourse, by the Rev. Mr..
IWoodcock, formerly Of Pennsylvania. 1t
reminded me of M boyhood days, when
my father settled in the north part of the
town of Manlius, Onondaga County, N.
with this exception, there was a
Melodeon here, andan those days Q818)
such things had not made their appear
ance. Verify, what mighty progress has
| been made since that time in the arts and
sciences
Wednesday morning, Aug. 25th, took
the parting hand Of my daughter, of Nj
and Mrs. Manson Rice, and started for
home in company with my son-in- law to
{Leavenworth Remained therd I'm Ill 2115
pm. then took the train for st. Louis
Ran down to Kansas City. Made short|
halt Could not see much of the town,
but what saw was pleased with its APP
pearance. Passed through many new and
active little towns until night set in, then
came the monotony of "riding on a rail"
Arrived in st. Louis on the morning of
the Goth at O'clock Taken in Buss
through many of the principal streets to
the ferry. Crossed the river and took
the train for Chicago on the Chicago,
Alton and StsLouis Road. l confess l
was much disappointed in ST. Louis. /
had an idea it was as muddy town as
Chicago used to be in 1898, but to my
surprise found beautiful town-streets
well paved and cleanly-ornamented on
either side with splendid buildings. In
east St. Louis you have splendid view
of the city. Passed on through Illinois
to Chicago, $50 mlles-arrived there at
8 o'clock in the evening landed on the
north side of the main river, and attempt
ed to find my way to the depot, but the
splendor and brilliancy of the streets,
filled with human beings, completely
confused my brain, and I became lost!
At length l found a guide who helped
me out of my trouble. At o'clock, took
the train for Mishawaka, Indiana. Stopp-
ed with my friend HI. ID. Higgins, and
/ was as welcome and as we'll cared for as
any one could wish.
Monday morning August 30th, went to
Laport, 80 miles, and visited nephew,
Samuel R. Barnes, and an old neighbor,
Daniel Kill. Found the town as active
and lively as could be in the absence of
water power. Nephew extensively en-
gagged in the furniture manufacturing
business. Town said to contain about
5000 inhabitants. Returned to Misha-.
waka, and remained until Friday Sept g.
Took my departure and went to Peru, a,
distance of 100 miles Passed through
not very inviting to the husbandmap.
Passed several small towns. Plymouth,
! the shire town of Marshall Co., is a place
of some note Arrived in Peru at pm.
Found my dear old sister anxiously wait
ing for me. We had a happy greeting
it being over ten years since had seen
her. She is the widow of Henry, or Harry
Blake, as he was usually called. They
were residents of Syracuse, or rather
where Syracuse now is, I think as early
as 1915 or 1916. She could give very
correct history of Syracuse from the time
it was a little hamlet up to the time of
its being incorporated as village. She
has two sons who have been residents of
Peru and vicinity over 25 years, and who
claim to be I" Attorneys at Law" Alex
ander and Orris Blake. She has another
son, Philander, who is "a tiller of the
ground" and who resides some seven
miles out of Peru. The youngest daugh-
ter, wife of Dr. Gilbert, dentist, also re-
sides in Peru. Her oldest daughter, wife
of Hamlet D. Thayer, formerly of this
town CLAY resides some 20 miles from
/ Peru. Those compose her family now
living Here let me introduce an episode.
In the commencement of the rebellion,
Orris Blake Esq raised company of vol
unteers, and for his activity and patriot
ism in the cause of his country, received
at the hands of the Governor of Indiana,
Captains commission. Philander Blake
received Lieutenants commission in the
same company for his union principles.
They subsequently did service under
Gen. A. Mcdowell McCook. I have a
letter in my possession written by DIR.
Gilbert (brother-in-law to the aforesaid
Blakes) dated "Peru, Ind, June IL, 1862"
in which he refers to the bravery of said
Blakes in the battle of Shiloh, or Pitts
burgh Landing. The DR.. said "Both
Captain and Lieutenant Blake were on
Gen. McCook's staff during the battle of
Shiloh or Pittsburgh, and were where
bullets flew thickly, but were neither of
them harmed. Gen. McCook made Bell
Blake daughter of the Capt, young
Miss oftwelve y ears of age) present Of
beautiful gray horse as compliment