The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1875-05-22
Letter from Missouri.



ST. JosErH, Missouri, May II, 1875.
MEssRs. EnrroRs 49, Thinking letter from
the West might be acceptable and perhaps
Interesting TO your many readers, have taken
this opportunity 10 write to You. | say perhaps
interesting, for know some one accustomed
TO writing could make il really so. arrived
here about seven weeks ago, after pleasant
Journey over the Baltimore and Ohio Rail
road, since which time We have had some Of
the severest weather have ever experienced
for the season. When on my way here | took
'srest' Of three days in St. Louis, which
gave me ample time and opportunity 10 view
most Of its fine public buildings. The Gus
tom House, now under course Of erection,
will be one Of the finest in the country, occu-
plying an entire square, and having direct
railroad communication by means Of a tunnel.
Taken altogether St. Louis is one of the
finest cities Of this country. II is distant from
Us sOs miles.
ST Joe is Q thriving little city Of 81, 900 ia
habitants, the county seat OF Buchanan county,
and is situated on the east bank Of the Ms
sour river, which Just at this point makes a
bend ofabout4 miles out Oft straight course,
and on the opposite side, or rather upper side,
Of the bend the city Is located. The river is
about one mile wide here and Is spanned by
an immense iron bridge, supported by four
piers or abntments, one span being used as q
draw, for the accommodation of boats passing
up and down the river. For the past two
weeks il has been flooded, and at one time
was two feet higher than at any time last year,
which persons say $ something unusual, as it
Is generally the highest in June. II takes il
two or three days to rise and the same length
Of time 70 fall: In consequence Of q great
many railroads running in here, steamboaiing
is almost entirely done away with on the
Missouri, and would Be entirely SO, as far as
we are concerned, but there are points on the
river north Of Us which are not SO eligibly
situated as regards railroad facilities, corse-
quently boat occasionally passes up the
river. But three have gone up this seasos,
all Of which have touched here, as they gen
orally have some cargo 10 discharge, the finest
OF which came in last evening at " clock,
discharged the cargo thar was intended for
this place and left this morning, Fort Benton
being her destination.
ST. Joseph is certainly the metropolis Of
the northwest. 1t is the convefging point Of
quite number Of railroads, prominent among
which are the st. Louis, Kansas City and
Northen X. r., Hannibal and ST. 10. r. X.
Kansas City, St. 10. and Council Bluffs II. r
Missouri Pacific r. r., st. 10. and Denver
r. r., Atehison and Nebraska r. R., beside
several others ofless note. These eompanie
all have separate depots; the depot Of the X
| g. st. 10. and G. b. road being the finest an,
situated al the foot Of Francis street, il near
est the business portion Of the city; all tn
others are in the southern part. The II. an,
St. 10. Go. are putting up large freigh
depot at foot Of Sd street, and intend to NOV
all their Offices there The principal busines
streets here are I'd, Cd, 18th, Felix and Fran
chs streets. Second and Sd streets are occu
pied almost entirely by wholesale houses
Fourth, Felix aud Francis are oeenpied b
retail houses and ladies' stores. We have tw
daily papers, Herald, Republican, Gareff,
Democratic; also two independent weeklie.
one printed in German. The Pacific Hous
situated on North Third street, the large
aolel in the city, occupies one-half sqnal
and has all the accommodations Of first-c
hotel. We also have some very hne publ
baiIdings, viz A neS Courthouse, not ye
eompleud, which occupies an entire SONAR
, City Hall, one Of the finest Opera Houses
The west. many hne Churches, Colleges, ct
The Opera House is open about two nights
the week, and since | have heen here has b.
+ such companies az the Royal Prussian Bans
Boston Philharmonic Club, Madame Jsuns
/ their respective roies The Mctropolifa
1heatre Is open every night, though i doesr
seem 70 take. We have n very good mark
4 here also. have met quite 4 number
4 Marylanders since my arrival, and in G,
there is not State in the Union that Isl
3 represented in ST. 10. The clerk Of The G
cut Court, Mr.. !. Van Riley, who died &
weeks ago, was Maryland man from one
the lower counties. Your very valuable al
ever welcome paper, the .f3roeafs, reach
. here promptly every Tuesday evening, and
assure you none Of It's readers are more an
ions 10 receive il than l. g.