The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1871-01-02
Letter from Illinois.

UALENA, ILL. Dec. II, 1870.
70 Edllor Of the Press:
Drifting into this old town-a city long be.
fore Chicago had reached that di i9nity-I have
been holidays-ing with frierds in the most
quiet manner, embarsoed within doors by
weather which would do credit t, Francouia
or Bangor. MY Maine friends, here residing,
who sometimes make mock at the cold and
barrenness of the Pine tree State, are Just
now compelled to hold their tongues. Time
was that Galena was central depot for tray
Ell and merchandise bound up the Mississippi,
or beyond the river-and with its lead mines
and agricultural surroundings, sprang into
considerable Importance as commercial cen
ter. Several Maine men have pitched their
tents-and stood for the prizes of Western
life-in business or politics-Hon. Thomas
Drummond, Of Bristol, Maine, now on the
supreme bench in Chicago, laid the tounda-
tion ofhis legal eminence in Galena practice
Of several years.
Hon. E. B. Washburne, so long in Con
sress from this district, Dow horse beefny In
Patis-is weli-known Maine boy. --,.
Col. G.. L. Stephenson, steam boat inspsc.
tor for the upper Mississippi, native of .old
.Gorham," has resided here mauy years.
VIM. Cary, Esq, native Of Turner, hung
out his shincle here dozen years ago, aud
is commanding a fine success as a lawyer and
politician. He was prominent member of
the Illinois Constitutional Convention last
year, is member elect OF the coming Leeis-
lafnro ar,1i ic Oh I, e, f,,o ~
didate for the Speakersbip.
Residents here count it no mean distinction
that they furnished to the war so yaluabI
military men, as Gen. Grant and Geu. Raw
lins,-the one gone up higner-,he other con-
descending to serve the people in the wretch
ed capacity of White House tenant. From
my window l have pointed out to me the
house presented to Gen. Grant after the war,
by citizens OF Galena. 1t stands unoccupled.
awaiting his retiring to private life, and his
possible election to the mayorship of Galena !;
which he once said was the height OF his am
5ition, In view OF the terrible necessities of
the sde-walks The sidewalks still clamor
for repairs, and would admit of vast deal of
engineering, civil aud military, ION this
line.'
This is due In part to the broken aud billy
surface of the city, the streets getting up and
down at ali possible angles and curves. As a
consequence, the summer scenery Is in pleas
ant contrast with the prairie levels few
miles southwark.
Although checked in Its progress by rail-
ways that have crossed the country above 1t
aud below it, Galsna Is still place of ccnsid-
cradle business activity. Large quantities Of
lead ore-the ga'ena of minerology-are still
mined and smelted among these bluGs. A
gentleman informs me that about twenty
thousand hogs have already been packed here
since "the season" opened, and the usness
is still very lively. Galena Is said to rank In
this respect only third or fourth in the State,
after Chicago.
This latter city through which l passed a
few days ago, is usually mad In the pursuit of
business, grain, lumber, pork, cattle, whislxey,
beer, what-not, ct cetera. Just nov 1t has
gone stark mad after Nilsson, and Is as m uch
crazier than Boston over the fascinating
Swede, as its capacity for enthusiasm IL great
er than that of the more staid and sold hub
Excuse this buried penciling, aud COM
pound with your conpositor TOR the best Job
he can make out OF my plumbaao hyerogyph-
les. Yours Truly, W.