Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1871-01-05
Letter from wisconsin.
MILWAUKEE, Wis, Dec. 81, 1870.

W
Editor Rutlo1ad Herald 1t is we'll
known how quickly national air, ma
tional emblem, familiar face, or object,
from home, will excite the blood, arouse
the enthusiasm, and stimulate the plea
sure of foreigner, or a stranger in a
strange land,-just SO were my feelings,
kindled and animated this morning, when
happening to take up "Rutland HER
AID" and glancing over its columns,
thereby recalled to my mind the many
pleasant recollections of Vermont - OF
Rutland-and it's ''old Green Mountains"
SO much am I pleased at the sight of my
"old friend" that I am even tempted to
, take up my pen and enter once again into
communication with its columns, pro-
: vided-"Barkis is willin." At the outset,
the question arises: what can I say that
, will be interesting to the good people of
Rutland? Well, really, can think of
nothing better than a brief description of
this part of the Countrywide Great West;
at the same time mapping out summer
trip, than which nothing can be more de-
lightful in the United States. This mag
nifoent NORTHWEST" is becoming grad
ually developed-laid openly means of
railroads aud eraeorPriaine settlers 1t is
but lately that the undulating hills, tho
innumerable, beautiful lakes, and the vir-
gin woods, and plains of Minnesota and
Wisconsin, have been fully discovered
and appreciated by the people of the
Union. Every year the tourists increase
in numbers, and every year hotels are
springing up at favorable resorts. Min
nesota, with her immense wheat produc
ing Districts, and Wisconsin with her
mineral resources and manufacturing adj
vantages, will in few years advance into
the front rank of the Great States of the
Union.
I take it for granted that some of your
! readers planning journey 10 the
West next summer; I suppose of course
they will first direct their course to that
in many respects, alas bright example
of New York, viz: Chicago. Having ar
rived in the Garden City" let me advise
them, by any and all means TO ''take run
up" to st. Paul and Minneapolis, and
down the Mississippi River back to Chi
oago. can recommend such trip from
experience, as it was my great privilege
to enjoy it last summer. ! left Chicago
: on the Northwestern Road, and proceeded
, first to Milwaukee. of which [ will say
: few words 1t is indeed A H"Aufiful city,
and APPLY called the ''Crearn City OF the
} West" from the color OF the Milwaukee
brick, which is mostly used 10 the con-
= struotjon of the residences and business
houses Some think Milwaukee more de-
sirable as place of residence than its old
rival Chicago. Situated upon the low
Milwaukee bay, it has indeed, a beautiful
site Chicago has far outdistanced Mil
waukee, in energy, wealth and growth.
Milwaukee for the past few years has ex-
hibited great stagnation in business, and
lack of energy Except in the wheat trade,
it being the largest wheat market in the
country; but it has started up from it's
s dormant state and everything is brisk
again. The subject of manufactures is
l. being actively agitated. 1t is found that
this spot is peculiarly advantageous for
manufactures, both in location, cheapness
of living, and in the facility for procuring
skilled labor, there being among the large
' foreign population here thousands of
5 skilled artizans, who have learned their
: trade in Europe The business men are
'taking hold" of the subject, and there is
2 no reason why Milwaukee may not
| double her population ere another decade
8 has passed. This city is also becoming
D great fruit market; and is now the center
t of q vast amount of trade, from the great
3 States of Iowa, and Minnesota. Milwau-
, kee is now building Court House which
A will cost over a million of dollars.
From Milwaukee, journeyed westward
across Wisconsin to Prairie DuCbien, my
t eye constantly enlivened with the charm
ing scenery of Wisconsin. Beautiful lit
e tie lakes-almost without number-dot
, the surface of the land in all directions;
beautiful groves and wooded glens, varied
every now and then by rough table-lands
: and hills, burst constantly on the vision.
Arrived at Prairie DuChien, where one
: ought to tarry and hunt for few days. I
= crossed the Mississippi, and took the cars
l for st. Paul, where I arrived in due time.
I 1t is needless for me to add that the i'm
8 posing buildings and fine residences in
st. Paul and Minneapolis at once arrest
t the attention of the traveler,-needless to
3 add that weeks could be spent, pleasantly
and proftably, in the region about st.
: Paul. I must hurry on and mention the
l grand contamination of all the pleasure to
be derived from the journey, which is the
ride from st. Paul down the Mississippi
i to Dubuque, or to st. Louis, if one wishes.
People may talk about the Rhine. but 1
q fully believe the assertions of those who,
u having tried both, give the preference to
the Mississippi from st. Paul to Dubuque.
Almost Immediately after leaving st.
! Paul, one is struck-rendered silently
!. the grandeur of the scene. Tall majestic
!. mountains line each bank of the
9 winding river then ever and anon a
Q break in the mountains will disclose
to the enraptured eyes of the traveller,
! broad fields, extensive meadows and acres,
D and acres of waving corn and wheat.
: Then again the steamer, guided among
i, the sand-bars by the skilful hands of the
pilots, will emerge into beautiful lake,
and glide along in the great solitude,
causing one in his reveries to imagine
: himself in fairy land, and waited along