The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-06-22
Written for The Spirit of Democracy.l
FROM ILLINOIS.
ROLAND, WHITE COUNTY, ILLINOIS,

ROLAND, WHITE COUNTY, 1LLrNoIs,l
June 10, 1875. {
En-. SPIRIT-Dear Friend: Thinking
perhaps that some Of your many readers
would like to know the prospect of the
future prosperity of this part Of the great
Prairie State, if you will be so kind as to
spare corner of your valuable paper tc
that end, will endeavor to state some
facts as they appear.
1st-We expect to realize, from pres
ent appearances, full average crop OF
wheat. have recently, in my calling
passed over large portion of the coun-
ties of White, Hamilton, Gallatiir and Sa-
line, and find larger amount Of wheat
growing than in any previous year since
| came to the State, ten years ago. 1,
is true see occasionally field some.
what injured by the hard freezing of the
past winter, and consequently will not
yield more than from six to ten bushels
per acre, while l see other fields. and
much the larger number, that will, in my
opinion. yield from 90 to 30 bushels per
acre, and will be ready for harvesting in
a,few days.
Corn-Notwitbstanding the cold,
backward spring,a larger amount of corn
has been planted than usual, and stands
well and looks fine.
Odts-Not so extensively cultivated
here as in some other sections of. coun-
try, but yields well and at present looks
prosperous.
Grasses-Our soil is we'll adapted to
grasses of all kinds, and tee present sea-
son will be one of an unusual large yield
of hay, which is now nearly ready to
harvest.
Tobacco-Our farmers have their to-
bacco nearly all et,and the largest mum
ber of acres planted that / have ever
known here before.
Fruit-Peaches for the first time in
ten years almost total failure the trees
were badly injured by the hard freezing
of the past winter There will be a fair
crop of apples, grapes, goose5erries, cur
rants, Strawberries and blackberries.
Health Of The country-The health Of
our country is good; no prevailing dis
ease or sickness in our community at
present. Health, prosperity and peace
are the great blessings enjoyed by us
from Him who rules in the kingdoms Of
men and worketh all things after the
council of His own will.
RAILROADS.
A country without railroads is like a
clock with pendulum too long; it ne
cessarly runs slow, and is forever be-
hind time. We have three railroads run
ming through our county, making three
crossings in the county. The Cairo &
Vincennes and Evansville & ST. Louis
roads crossing at Carmi, the county seat
OF White County; the Evansville & st
Louis and Shawneetown d Edgewood
roads crossing at Enfield, and the Cairo
& Vincennes and Shawneetown & Edge
wood roads crossing at Norris-City.
Norris City stands where five years
ago there was nothing but an old waste
commons, yielding perhaps not five dol
lars revenue by way of taxes to the coun
ty, now paying hundreds of dollars into
the Treasury Norris City is an active
business place, having steam saw and
Touring mill, l,with several large dry goods
establishments, groceries, stores, hotels
and saloons, saddlery, blacksmith and
other shops.
White County donated S250,000 to,
ward the construction Of her railroads,
1 notice by reference to my tax receipts
that my railroad tax is about 81 per an
num- Now, am 81 out, or is there a
balance in my favor? Let US see: In
1865 l raised and sold 1880 pounds of
tobacco; the net cost of putting the to
bacco on the market in New York was
$27; in 1874, the net cost of putting the
same amount of tobacco into the same
market was about SO. So you see that
on the small item of small crop of to
bacco is difference of $17; deduct 81,
increase of tax, leaves net balance in
my favor Of Sl3: Taking into conside-
ration all the advantages derived from
railroads, / am of the opinion that the
citizens of any county, mot having road,
can save money by largely contributing
Of their means to procure one.
l see by the ever welcome visitor, The
SPIRIT OF DEMOCRACY, that finds its way
weekly to our humble home in the Egypt
of Illinois, to cheer our hearts with for
eign and domestic news and sound De-
mocracy, that there is a good prospect
of hearing the iron horse snorting and
puffing over the soil of "Old Monroe"
/ do hope that no citizen of your coun-
ty will so stand in his own light, and in
opposition TO his own interest,as to with
hold his influence from so noble an en-
terprise, and onswhich the future pros
perity of the county depends.
In conclusion, permit me to say, if
God wills, will commence meeting at
the Christian Church house, on Jack
sons Ridge, on Christmas day, 1875.
AS ever, your friend and well wisher,
VIM. Truck.