Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-02-17
No. %, w. MADISON STREET. /
CHICAGO. ILL.,, Feb. 8, 1872. /
MEssRs. EDIToRs:

u
stored columns, afforded me great deal of
pleasure. For around the Old Family" clus-
ter aIany pleasant membranes. My Alma
Mater, / have always regarded it with son 5
affection: and AS /" distance lends enchantment
u tie view il is doubly priced, now that lam
lucate, here in this Western Hub. This
last reference, naturally suggests the question,
WHAT BROUGHT You HERE2
Well. briefly, desire to see the ruins OF what
Icas Chicago, and to grow up with what Chica-
20 is To- be- 81, early in November, left the
pleasant city Of Lypchburg, aud by rapid
whirl. through Washington aud Baltimore, aud
thence VIA tie great Pennsylvania ia branch
OF which you are TO have through dear old
.Jefirrsonl reached here in 40 hours from L.
distance Of over one thousand miles. found
the riiy smoking yet from It's ruins, but its
population unawed by the great contiagratiou.
! With determination worthy Of every NEED
Of praise, they have prosecuted the rebuilding
of the waste places though the blasts of winter,
until vast deal has already been accomplish
ei. Now, then, the SpriDg-time approaches,
extra endravnrs are beginning 10 manifest
themselves and ere long fully 10000 mechan-
les aud laborers will be engaged in the erection
of dwellings, business houses, aud palatial ho-
tells.
Never having visited Chicago before the FIRE,
caunot speak knowingly Of the elegance Of
It's principal thoroughfares. 1t presents now
| an awkward appearance, true the iudointable
will Of its business men was never more strlk-
ugly exhibited, perhaps, tlan now. AT the
time If the fire, Chicago Contained popula-
ton Of over 800 900 souls. Some 80, or40, 900
left after the hre, but it is calculated fully this
number uf strangers have made their residence
here since the cohhagraton.
With the opening of Spring, emigration will
now thitherwards with great impetus, aud Ill
one year Chicago will contain population OF
$50. 00O-at least such is the opinion Of those
whose opinions are worth something.
NEWSPAPER
One cause of the growth Of Chicago, is the
puhlic-spiritedness OF her local press. IN vul-
gar parlauce, blowing" does a great deal OF
grud. Her Press is characterized by spirit,
enterprise and ability. The Tribune, having
the largest circulation, is Republican, bun
not radical. 1t is violent anii-Grapt, and
seems to favor strongly the Reform movement.
Its rival, the Times, is Democratic, and one ui
the best papers in the country The Journal,
republican, is able, and not radical. The Post
Mail. and several other well-conducted go To
make up an able press representation.
cHIcAGOs BUSINESS,
Is immense. notwithstanding It's serious in
terruption. For the year 1871 there were re-
ceved ut the various elevators III this CITY, over
| Sc 600 900 bushels of wheat, whilst the amount
OF corn, rye, &C., bore in fair proportions
There have been received at the stock yards
since October LIST, over one million three hun
bred thousand hogs, averaging 297 each, 200,
600 Of which were slaughtered here; the bal
aucc shipped eastward. Cattle, sheep. &c, IN
almost countless numbers add to the immen-
sity of the stock trade must not forget ~
mention the article whisky. Il is manufac
lured here in immense quantities, but do
not think the product equals the demand Tor
home consumption.
RAILROADS.
II any oT,a doubts the value Of railroads, and
their influence in building up city, they can
have their doubts solved nv visiting this Won
deriul city. 1t is indeed raili"ad town
Thirteen main liues, reaching in alfdlret. 'ooS'
except into the Lake, afford facilities which Is
rapidly making this the sANand af A"-riSa"
cities. As many as two hundred passenger
trains arrive and depart daily, with an equal
number If freight trains loaded with the pro-
ducts of the West, aud the necessaries from the
East aud South.
REAL ESTATE.
Many handsome fortunes have been made by
the rapid and wonderful advance IN real estate.
Some of the figures seem fabulous For i'll
stance: In lS4l, Mr.. C. n. Holden purchased
a lot Of ground IN Dearborn street, for which
he paid SIS per front foot. His friends thought
him deu.ented and seriously talked of sending
him to a Lunatic Asylum For the same lot,
Mr. Il. was the present week offered four thou
sand dollars per front foot And this Is not
All exceptional case.
TUE MCCORMICK BROS.
Amongst the solid men al Chicago, as Vir-
giuian take pleasure in naming NleSsrs. Cy-
rus II and I.eander j. McCormi K, the cele-
hrated Reaper men They are natives Of Rock
bridge county, Virginia, and still entertain
strung love for the glorious Old Commonwealth.
As IN evidence Of this, instance the liberal do
nations Of Cyrus Mccormick to Washington
College, $50 900 towards establishing Pro-
irsSorship, and $4,000 for the erection Of a
chapel in memoriam of Stonewall Jackson
The reputation Of their reaper is worldwide,
1t is equally popular on the Prariesoft the West,
in the beautiful Valley Of the Shenandoah, and
throughout the grain producing districts Of Eu-
rope. By their skill aud energy, the McCor-
mlck's have acquired splendid property, and
whilst their losses by the FIRE were great they
have resumed operations vigorously, with 4
strong hope at least Of partially meeting the
drmaud from the agriculturists Of the country.
have met with Mr.. Leander Mccormick, aud
found bin true Virginian.
Politics.
Already the Changing Of arms for the great
political campaign Of 1872 may be heard, in IL
linois large and respectable element of the
Republican party is violently opposed to the
denomination Of Grant. In this class may he
named both of her United States Senators,
MrSsrs. Truubull and Logan, aud several of
her NJ C's. Indeed, it is doubtful whether
Grant will be able to command the vote OF the
Illinois delegation in the National Convention.
There is a strong feeling here in favor Of the
REFORM MOVEMENT,
And il the Democratic party will dlvest itself
of It's old prejudices, aud come into the move
nent. with such candidate as Trumhull, or
Graiz Brown, or Chase, the prospect is that
rampant radicalSm will find It's Waterloo next
November. God speed the day.
RINGS.
Speaking Of things political. reminds NE
that we have a q" ring" here IN Chicago, COM
peirg for vilainy strongly with Tammany,
I'll which so much has been written of late
The Chicago Board Of Aldermen are graceless