The Hawaiian gazette., 1876-08-09
Centennial Letters. mo. 3.

CHICAGO. Ill, July Z, 1876
DEAR GAZETTE My last letter brought me t,
Cedar Rapids. Iowa since when, good deal Of trav
el and various scenes of interest have been passed
through,-so many in fact, that l am in great dan
ger Of forgetting much would like to record
Chicago stretches her boundaries East, West NORTH
and South, and the suburban towns seem to extend
her precincts many miles. The first impression that
1 received arriving at the city proper from the
Northwestern railroad, disgust at the depot are
Engagements. Having a vivid remembrance Of some
Of the beautiful depUts in New England many years
ago, iancied this queen city Of the West" would
have something superior to anything had seen
and to be set down in dirty, open space, and then
walk with the crowd some little distance through an
uncovered dirty walk, up a long uncovered flight o.
steps to the street above where the omnibusses aud
hacs men were cyngregated, seemed forlorn indeed.
Still fororn the ladies' waiting room, where
1 sat for few minutes. Dingy and dirty with no
appearance of refinement about it, my first impress
ions Of the city unpleasant in the extreme. This
Of the depUts the Northwestern route, and
have since had to enter in various parts Of the
city, but in all of them find the appearance Of
being overcrowded and dirty. On making some in-
quries this subjest, informed that the rail-
road companies are, and have been for long time,
DESTROYS Of combining and building an elegant depot,
and that they have been in negotiation with the City
Council to this effect ever since the great FIRE, and have
offered what they consider adequate price for =
piece Of land on the lake front which is adapted to
their purpose. But the City Council refuse to grant
it except for an exorbitant price, and they will
erect permanent buildings until this question is set
tied especially as the land they seek is in just the To-
cation most desirable. One would fancy the City
Fathers would desire the advancement Of the city
enoug grant this. During my first short sojourn
in the city, favored with a ride through many
Of the principal streets, and had pointed out to
some few spots where the ruins of the FIRE are yet
standing. But what they among such blocks of
elegant buildings which have arisen phGnix-like to
repair the wastes
The ride through the tunnel under the river, when
oae of the bridges was up and the street blocked with
carriages, $50 that it would require some minutes be-
fore could get chance pass over), was another
novel sensation. Cool and dark, SO that it is con-
tinuay lighted with gas, it was dungeon like place
and had to confess a feeling of relief when saw
the faint streak Of daylight the further end and
began to emerge The more SO. as in some places
could see tiny streams of water trickling down the
arched stone sides.
The streets of Chicago where the private residences
built both the South and West sides $50 far as
have seenl, are very beautiful some of them pala-
tia, and building is continually going on. strau-
ger wonders where many rich people are 10 be
found occupy all these new residences especially
as every TO echo the cry Of hard times and
not much money. The churches Of Chicago ele-
CANT. The Union Park Church (Cougregational, is !
one Of the odern and was erected without any
limit to expense and in consequence is laden with an
elegant debt The worshppers elegant, too, in
dress and manners but at a church welcome given 10
the church parlors their pastor and his wife
Mr.. and Mrs. Nandervecr, it seemed to a stranger
looking that half the people present stran-
gers TO each other and for easy cardality and social
intercourse the simple little church parlors in Homo
lula ahead The ST. Johns Episcopal church has
erected a splendid new edfee, but with great pru- /
denee Worshipping in the basement until they 4
have enough finish the main building with
s7ondent left for visit to brother in the northern
part of Wisconsin So far north in fact. that the
place is not laid down the maps. The railroad 4
terminates at Chippewa Falls, thriving little town 1
on Chippewa river. and then followed long stage
ride of IL miles TO Bloomer. This place found to
he thrifty, growing tle town in the lumber region.
where busy little stream, Of the tributaries Of
the Chippewa. was driving ssw, planning and Touring
mills, and no doubt in few years the iron rail will
be pushed on TO the NORTH and the new atlas-make
viii lay down this aud many other little towns on the
now blank space. and tourists will seek the charming
lakes and streams, far in the north Of Wisconsin.
During the fortnight spent here bad occasion to |
note the sudden changes temperature which these
lands of the temperate are subject. Travelling
one day in almost melting heat. the day Terminated
in heavy rain storm with thunder and lightning, /
and the wind shifting in the night to the northwest
aiOng cold storm Of four days and nights succeeded,