Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-05-16
LETTER FROM ILLINOIS.
WARSAW, Hancock, Co., Ill,
April '25th, 1874.


is in Hancock County, the westernmost
county of Illinois, and about 2o7 miles
above St. Louis, and about six miles
below the rapids of the Mississippi,
where the "Father of Waters In Its
march to the bluff meets distractions IN
its path, and gets so turbulent over the
interruptions, as to prevent navigation
of the stream at that place, except at
high water. -.
The first settlement by Europeans at
this place, was French military post
called Fort Johnson, erected about 'le
middle of the seventeenth century, ana
which vas abandoned TO the English
by its original owners, prior to the
American war of Independence ABOUT
seventy wears ago Fort Edwards was
built by Capt. Zachary Taylor, after
wards President of the United States
1t was intended TO protect the frontier
AGAINST the incursions Of the Red Men,
and was abandoned in 1925.
The psme is still retained i'll the sign
of the Fort Edward House" The
traces of the fort my still be seen upon
the bluff, about fourth of mile east
of Main street
The city contains about 1000 nhab-
itants, and is scattered over enough
ground to accommodate population
three times as numerous.
The principal manufactures of the
place are flour, plows, and barrels, IN
the latter branch of business a dozen
shops are busily engaged. The largest
flour mills are the Plymouth Rock Mills
of G. Albers 81 Co., who are turning
out about two hundred barrels daily,
and Cross Brothers take the lead in the
manufacture Of plows. | went through
the latter establishment few days ago
and observed the modus 0ptranh OF
producing several kinds OF plows, though
principally corn plows tor one horse.
We would call them one horse barshear
plows. The mould boards are all OF
cast steel, and ground perfectly bright.
They would be too delicate for our soil,
especially our clay soils. All OF the
machinery at this place is driven by
steam power.
Among the traditions of this locality
is one to the effect that the celebrated
Indian Chief, Black Hawk, was born
within the limits of this county, but al
thopnh ! cannot vouch for its historical
correctness. ] will not say anything to
dispel the charm attaching to such ira
djt0HS.
Sus, a few miles above Warsaw sits
"Nauvoo CITY," the beautiful City OF
the Latter Day Saints and vile they
ha! their Zion" from 1899, the date OF
their expulsion from Missouri, until
1876, when they vere driven from the
State, and took up their long journey to
the Nalley of the Great Salt Lake, in
Utah. At Nauvoo the first Mormon
Temple hy the voluntary contributions
of the Saints. At least they gaze the
money and labor, at the dictation OF
.Ioseph Smith, who compelled the Faith
fal to contribute ouc-tenth of the sub
stancc--not exactly to the Lord-bat 10
tho Church
The temple was Just completed the
day before the town was evacuated, and
a few months after this magnificent
structure, perhaps the most splendid
building west Of the Ohio, at that time,
was given the flames, the work OF an
inccndiary.
The site of the temple. ] believe, is
now a thriving vineyard ! have not
vet visited this interesting locality, bat
purpose doing so shortly.
have had the pleasure OF meeting
with one person from Jefferson County
since have been here, DR.. W. ID. Lem
ON. who was raised on the HazletieId
Farm near Duflields. OF course he was
clad to hear from the "folks at home.
for he still has a tender place in his
heart for the land of his nativity. lie
has a fine practice, and ishighly esteem
ed in the community.
Two other natives of Jefferson, Jas
Il. Cuttings, and w. w. Sackman, are
residing in this county. both are farm
crs, the latter near Carthage. the coun-
ty-seat, and the other in the northern
part of the county, | believe.
This city has seven churches, three OF
them being German organizations, and
one Roman Catholic.
Three Temperance mass meetings
have been held during the past week,
and Union Temperance Society or
ganized. They contemplate circulating
pledges of total abstinence for sigma
lures, and also to raise funds to detray
the expenses of enforcing the proyis-
ions of the State Liquor Law They
deprecate the idea of praying bands Wis
ting the drinking saloons, OF which
there are seventeen or eighteen in this
city dealing out "pizen' 10y the glass,
and in larger quantities. The Germans
don't take hold of temperance reforms
very readily, for YOU know that dose
Sharman beeples generally indulge in
the use of Lager as beverage. | am
happy to state that there are some Ger
mans in this city, who are staunch sup
porters Of the temperance cause, and we
hope that they may lead many of their
nationality to discard the use OF even
Lager.
In the way of amusements we have
somewhat of a variety. The Kendall
Comedy Company have been playing
this week at Saeuger Hall, but as have
not witnessed any of their performances
cannot speak authoritively of their
merits, Those who have sheen there,
say that their acting is very good.
j lnScn Willin,na =. nro,nd uifh q