The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-09-25
LETTER FROM LINWOOD, Pa.
LINwooD, Delaware county, Pa,
Santan, bar 1dtb 1877.

LETTER FROM LINWOOD, Pa.
LINwooD, Delaware county, Pa,
September 14th, 1875.
DEAR WHICH, will embrace the pres
ent opportunity to give you an idea of my
trip to Chester, with what know and have
heard about that city. To begin then,
Chester, although not the county seat of
Delaware county, in which it is situated, is
by odds the largest city or town (as you
may choose to term it) therein. The town
is situated along the Delaware river for
three miles on its immediate shore, and is
about one mile or little over from the
river, northward. Thus it will be seen
there are several square miles in the incor-
porated enclosure. The entire population
is estimated at fifteen thousand souls, and in
these statistics we feel quite confident it has
not been over-estimated. The town is the
largest between Wilmington and Philadel-
pha, and is just fifteen miles from the lat
ter city and four miles northeast of Lin
wood. The city is subdivided into several
others, which have distinct names to them
selves. Among the subdivisions we men,
ton Lamokin lat this point the P. & B. G.
Railroad intersects with that of the P, W.
G. B. Railroad, Upland, Eddystone and
Leiperville. These are all included in the
Chester city limits, being branches of one
and the same vine. The general appear
ance of the place to a stranger is that of
delight, for it has many attractions which
are pleasing and beautiful. If the appear
ance of the place is indicative of the PEG
pie living thereat the inference is strong
that they are hard working, energetic,
pride-taking people, who have and still
work hard, and the result is far from being
in vain. Fine buildings are plentiful, and
the domes and steeples which lift their
heads heavenward are scattered here and
there over the town. Shade trees are no
uncommon thing, and these are pleasant in
themselves to a lonely traveller over SUM-
drawing brick pavement on a hot day.
The pavement of the streets of Chester is
second to none we have seen. There are
four Methodist Churches in the place, three
Presbyterian, three Episcopalian and two
Catholic. From this statement it would
seem that they must be very holy people
where there are SO many temples for wor-
ship, but we are sorry to say the churches
have much, very much wickedness to coun-
teract. For instance shooting the reed and
rail on Sunday is such temptation that
many will not resist it. Then the tidal
wave Of local option has not visited this
place yet, and much wickedness must re.
suit from this unfortunate circumstance.
We inquired of a gentleman, whilst in the
city, the principal hotels. Among those in
his reply, were the "Steam- boat House,
Columbia House, City Hotel, Delaware
House, and the Railroad House." "These
are the first-class hotels" said he, "but
when it comes down to drinking houses,
lager beer saloons, and such like, we have
fifty or sixty in ALL" Thus we infer that
Chester is not wholly temperance town.
The churches, to counterfeit what evils
these places bring about alone, would have
to be clothed with majesty and power.
The city also has an opera house owned by
the "Tuscarora Tribe This institution
is open publicly twice week, and no doubt
does a fine business. The public school
facilities are second to none in the State,
and good substantial school houses are
among the things that Chester has Just
reason to be proud. Besides these there
are various other private schools, colleges
and academies of which We might speak,
but we pass on.
The First National Bank of Chester is
a magnificent structure, being built of a
beautiful stone, resembling what is known
as serpentine, and is very nearly new.
Beside this, there is another bank, the
Delaware County National Bank. Among
other fine and creditable buildings we men,
ton the post office, which is certainly a
model building for the designed purpose,
and the residence of Mr.. Larkin, ex- Mayor
of the city.
The peace of the city is kept by regu-
lar police force, consisting of twenty eight
men, fourteen by day and the same num-
Der by night. Among the principal bust
ness and manufacturing houses we mention
Smedley & Hinkson, head dry goods mer-
chants. Barton & Cotton, cotton mills,
print and bleach works, etc. this firm alone
employ several hundred hands, Foulson
and Watson, sugar refinery: This firm
obtains the juice from which the sugar is
made direct from Havana, Cuba, and turn
out hundreds of barrels of sugar per day
Roach & Sons, steamboat builders: The
steamer Getty of San Francisco" which
cost six hundred and fifty thousand dollars,
was just being finished at the above firm IS
yards when we visited the place. The boat
is actually floating palace, and upon an
examination of her velvet seats and pala
tial state-rooms, one soon finds where the
money goes. This boat since our visit has
been launched and gave satisfaction beyond
expectations. Just here we would add We
had sight at the steamship Ohio" az
she went down the Delaware, ladened will
the large cargo of peaches, the greatest
quantity ever shipped in one bulk to Eng
land from the American continent. The
establishment of Archibald & Sons: Ma
rine engine works, situated Immediately OF
the river shore, is large and presents bust
ness, noisy appearance. The comminglins
of hundreds of hammers, striking at once
riveting boilers, etc. The Delaware Rive