Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-06-06
LETTER FROM ILLINOIS.
WARSAW.
Hancock Co., H., :
May 26th, 1874.


One of the attractive features of these
western towns consists in the attention
paid to flowers and other outdoor or
nameption about the homes OF the cltl-
zens.
The dwellings are not built close to
the sidewalks. but each house is sur
rounded by door-yard, whichis usually
neatly sodded, and planted with, OF
which the majority are fruit bearing
trees, thus combining utility with beau
ty, for the truth is that many OF our
tees are as beautiful as the most costly
ornamental trees, not alone when flow
ering, but also when the fruit is matur-
inc. How beautiful is the appearance
of a shapely cherry oy apple tree when
full of fruit; merely ornamental trees are
left in the shade.
More taste for the out door orna-
ments of home are exhibited here in
this prairie country than is to be found
in orr own State. Of course don't
mean to say that West Virginians care
nothing at all about such things, but
only that the people here excel US IN
these matters.
] visited Keokuk, about week ago,
and took a stroll through the city,
dropping in at a number of the princl,
pal business houses. 1t is neat and
pretty city of about 5000 inhabitants,
and is 2l3 miles North Of the Misslss-
ippi river, at the foot Of what are
known as the "Des Moines Rapids,
and inasmueh as the steamers OF the
lower Mississippi cannot pass this point
at low water, but discharge their sup
river" freight at this place, and couple
of railroads reach out from this South
eastern corner of the State, as if from
a natural gateway, and in consideration
of these circumstances, the denizens OF
that bustling little city delight to des-
ignate it as "The Gate City, a name
that is given wide spread publicity by
means of a sprightly and portly diurnal,
yclept "The Daily Gate City The
river trade of the place is considerable,
steamboats, arriving and departing daily
to and from st. Louis and other points
above and below the city.
The Federal Government is at pres
ent engaged in the work of constructing
a ship canal around the rapids OF the
Mississippi, and its massive walls look
stout enough to withstand the ravages
of the elements and the corrodlng In
fuence of Old Father Time for centu-
RES. When this work is completed 1t
will be of incalculable advantage to the
commerce of the country.
A fine bridge, with draw, operated
by diminutve steam engine, spans the
channel of the "Father of Waters,
connecting the -"Gate City with its
suburban neighbor of Hamilton Illinois.
The bridge is of iron, and furnishes a
passage way for a railroad and also for
those who travel on foot, on horseback,
or in various kinds of vehicles, "cr any
other way" those who travel .by this
route may select to go, except by boats.
But / have said so much about Keo-
kuk that have not much room left for
inserting some of the "doipgs Of tother
place, by which mean the city OF
Warsaw.
Well, Warsaw has had some right
pleasant times this spring in the way of
excursions, pic mics, and ''sich like. "
Some ten days ago the public schools OF
this place made mp an excursion to
Memphis, Mo, and were very kindly
received by the Memphisites, and last
Friday Memphis returned the compli-
meut.
Alexandria, Canton, and La Grange,
in Missouri, ard Quincy, Illinois, each
contributed to swell the crowd, until
about fifteen hundred visitors were here
all being bent upon day of enjoyment.
The public schools turned out in pro-
cession, to the number of six hundred
and thirty scholars, to greet the excur-
sionistS. The line was headed by the
Warsaw City Cornet Band, and Jailed
by the coIored school, and when the
visitors landed at the levee, they were
escorted to the Public Spare, park of
about two acres, where they were well
coined in a neat little speech by Pro-
fessor J. T. Long, the Principal of the
City Schools. There was the usual
speech makings, as there is on all such
occasions, and plenty Of music by three
bands, and as there was no chance for
dancing, the young folks played croquet
and base ball witnessed match
game of base ball between the college
Ratters," Of. Canton, aud a made up
crowd belonging to Warsaw. The
"Ratters" won an easy victory. After
witnessing this match, I haveconcluded
that playing base ball is ''hard work if
we'll followed"
The prairies look beautiful now,
clothed with brilliant and luxurious
yerdure. If one can get some elevated
position, the beauty of the landscape is