West-Jersey pioneer., 1876-12-21
9 For the West Jersey PIONEER
A TRIP ON ILLINOIS PRAIRIES.
WEST HALLocK. ILL.,. Dec. is. '76

WEST HALLocK, ILL.,, Dec. Is, '76.
Messrs. Editors: Wishing to make a
changein location, Mr.. land myselfd
to go (as it is termed around here, over the
river--tha5 is, we were going over on the
prairie on the East side of the Illinois river
in search of land to buy or rent. Early
on the morning of the 27th, we started to
walk to Chillicothe to take the train to Pc
oria, which left at 8 o'clock a. m. We
walked fast, fearing we would miss the
train. We had four miles Of woods 20 go
through, then we came to level sandy
prairie, called La Sale prairie, which is on
the West side of the Illinois river, and is
three miles wide. This prairie is so fat
that in Spring, when the snow melts, water
stands in ponds all over the country. When
we were one mile from town, it began to
snow furiously, and it was with difficulty
that we made our time, getting there just
before the train left. After ride of about
an hour, we arrived in Peoria. On our way
to Peoria, we had agreed to 60 to Rankin
to examine the country in Vermillion Coun-
ty, having heard that Mr.. Rankin, the foun-
land to sell and to rent. We bought tick
cts to Champaign City, Gas we could not
get them direct to Rankin on the Indian
apolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad,
and changed cars in driving storm. At
10 a. m. we left Peoria behind After cross
ing the river over Railroad bridge at tie
South end of the city, we passed along the
East bank of the river, through swamps
with ponds and creeks abounding, which
were being rapidly hidden by the falling
snow We passed rapidly along, going
through Pekin, thriving town, with pop
ulation of 5696, until we were within two
miles of fremont. Here we came to a halt,
and made my way through snow almost
waist deep, to the locomotive, and found a
long freight train in our way, having COLI
ded with the locomotive of another train.
Fortunately no one was injured, except one
man, who had his leg split nearly the whole
length, but he tied it up with some hand
kerchiefs, and was soon out helping remove
the debris caused by the disaster. After
waiting long while, all on board began to
experience the pangs of hunger, but there
was nothing on the train in the shape of
provisions, so I proposed to Mr.. L. to visit
| farm house about fifty rods distant. We
accordingly started, and after sundry falls,
reached our destination, and were hospita-
bly, received. Our leaving the train and
going to the house for food, served as an
example for the rest to follow, and before
the meal was ready, the house was crowded
with hungry travellers, each longing for a
plate of the baked beans that constituted a
| part of our repast. After doing full justice
| to the meal, we returned to the train and
endeavored to be patient until Che road was
| clear. After starting, we went at good
speed. As we neared Champaign we began
to make inquiry among our fellow travellers
| concerning lodging, but no one was able to
give us any information except a colored
man who was acquainted with the place,
and volunteered to see us comfortably dis
posed of for the night. On olr arrival, we
found ourselves obliged to walk three-quar-
ters of a mile through the snow. We for nd
our way with difficulty to the place where
our friend thought we could get shelter, but
to his surprise, the house had been burned
since his last visit, so he took us to the
Doyl Hotel, where we passed the night. In
the morning, we went to Paxton, twenty
miles further North. On our way, we be-
came acquainted with Mr. Lyon, who was
well acquainted in Paxton; and who took
us on our arrival, to land agent. The
agent took us to see some property, but as
we could not agree on the price, we soon
left for Rankin, about ten miles distant
but failing to accomplish our object, we re-
turned the next day to Paxton, and spent
the time strolling about. The next morn
ing, we went to Gilman, 1riquois County.
We spent some time there, looking around
the country, and were SO pleased with what
we saw, we determined 70 invest in prop
erty there, providing we effected a sale of
property at home. Three days sight see-
| ing convinced us that we could nowhere
fiud anything to suit us better, so we left
for home, reaching there at 1 80 o'clock, a..
m., tired and wet in consequence of the
walk across the prairie. '.-s
Yours, E. Ell. S.