, 1872-11-14
IMPROVEMENTS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS.

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Southern Illinois has improved perhaps mors
rapidly in the last few years than any other Sec
tion Of the Northwest. At present, the farmers
OF that section arc specially prosperous. Ths
fruit crop Was fair and remnnerative, but tht
winter wheat-the principal ataple-was yer.
fine in quality and the crop abundant. Price,
during the earlier part OF the season ranged q
from $1.20 to 31.40 per huahel, AMI
hence the producing classes have
their pockets full OF money and
Of course, are contented. Cotton also and tobac
co haye yielded we'll, and the range for these
products is becoming wider and their cultivation
is better understood. Corn, except on the rivea
bottoms, is not largely cultivated south OF tbs
Ohio aud mississippi River Valleys, and hence
farmers there hare escaped the depression Of
the low prices now ruling for that great staple
OF the Central and northern sections OF the State
For substantial prosperity, Southern Illinois
leads the other counties for the year Of grace
1872.
The crops OF Southern IIlinoia now yield a
better return than formerly to their producers,
owing to largely Increased railway facilities for
bringing them to market. Nearly every county
aect in that section can now be reached by rail
way, or lines will soon be completed to them.
Several important roads are completed that are
not found on the maps Of the year
west to Decatur, and both A1cola
and Tuscola have east and west lines, crossing
the Illinois Central, running through them.
The Decatur l. Mattoon line is progressing
4 road has been opened within the year through
Perry and Indianapolis Counties to Chester, on
the Mississippi River. 4 three-feet gauge road
is rapidly approaching completion between st.
Louis and Cairo. It runs through the counties
bounded west by the Mississippi River,
and ls intended to develop the valuable
coal fields in the counties through which it r11us
4 branch Of the st. Louis & Southeastern
Railway is finished from McLeansboro to Shaw
neetown. short line is opened from Carbon
dale, On the Illinois Central, to Marion, in Will
iamson County, to be extended hereafter to
6haWneetoWn, or to connect with the roads Lead
ing to that staid old city on the Ohio The longest,
and perhaps the most important, new railway
line in pr ocess Of construction in Southern Iii
nois is to connect Cairo with vincenneB, on the
Wabash. It runs through Alexander, Pulaski,
Johnson, Saline, White, and Wabash Counties,
and with the Danville and other roads will open
new line between Cairo and Chicago very lit
tie longer than the Illinois Central Railway.
The Wabash Valley, through which it runs moat
Of the way, is exceedingly productive,
and it is settled by thrifty, nnterprislng popu-
lation, whose business will greatly benefit the
mercantile, manufacturing, and commercial in
tereats Of our city. The road is nearly all grad
ed, and considerable portions Of it aro already in
operation. It is all to be finished in time for
the summer and fa.l buEiness Of tie coming
year.
As might be expected these railway improve
ments aza supplemented by q large immigra-
ton Of energetic, enterpriaing people from
other States. The inaction, not to say Natlesa-
ness, which brooded over Southern illinois .
quarter of 2 coutury ago has given place to
thrift and progress IN all that promotes the
intellectual and eocial welfare Of tho people.
Schools and churches aro everywhere doing
their appropriate work. Intelligent indus
try is rapidly developing tie vast agri-
cultural and mineral riches Of Southern
Illinois. With her genial climate,
her teezning soil producing the finest wheat
and cotton, tobacco and fruit; her magnificent
groves yielding their walnut, maple, and other
choice woods, even to the Boston market, the
progress Of Southern Illinois may now fairly
challenge comparison with any section Of our
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