Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1880-12-15
S6tsfh1C0rd Bound.
ATLANTA, GA, Dec. Sd, 1880.


Possibly your readers may be inter-
ested in brief account of our trip south
down to this point and date. From Chi
cago we went to Peoria over the celebra-
ted Rock Island road, run of seven hours,
distance one hundred and sixty miles
Found the weather quite cold and the
Illinois river frozen over. Peoria, in a
business point of view, is noted for its ex-
tensive distilleries and its mammoth glu-
cose factory. There are twelve large dis
tllleries running day and night These,
with the glucose establishment, consume
daily an almost incredible amount of
corn, and with their Stops fatten hogs
and cattle by thousands. The daily re-
ceipts for U. S. Revenue from the distil-
leries is $4,000. These figures give one
some idea of their extent, OF the capital
invested, and of the gross product.
Whisky and glocuse! The first Illicit in
every highest sense. The latter question
able. Yet these form large percentage of
the industry ola city of 80, 900 inhabitants.
Of the smoke and stencil of their torment
who shall speak? Of course your readers
know that "the great pagan" as the In
ter Ocean styles Mr.. Ingersoll, once re-
sided in this city. His former house was
pointed out to me, large, fine appearing
three story brick building 1t is now
used for hotel on the European plan.
Mr.. Ingersoll purchased it for $50, 900
but never paid for it. A mortgage
took it. By the way, the Peorians
say Robert is not the model in every
respect he has been made to APP
pear. The man who is trying to re-
form the world by seeking to destroy peo-
pies faith in christianity does not pay
his honest debts. When I expressed sur
prise at this | was assured it was true
and notorious besides. That in this res
pect he is regarded as unreliable. Tome
this was new. had supposed him in all
such matters above reproach; that being
a model in morals his attacks upon the
church had all the greater force. "Physl-
clan, heal myself" Let the great reformer
edo JUSTLY" before he undertakes to tell
people how to be saved.
1t is money he is after and only that.
His lectures on Burns and his poetry were
failures financially and he dropped them.
The class of people who were interested
in such lectures had heard better and
would not attend. But his ridicule of
the Bible and the church drew crowds
such as they were. Receipts were large
and Robert was happy. That is the full
extent of his efforts at reform as many
say who know him best. GLOW are the
mighty fallen!" We left Peoria at $50
A. NJ, crossed the river at Pekin ten
miles below and reached indianapolis at
6P. NJ. This run is directly across all
that part of the great state of Illinois, ly-
ing east of the Illinois river. The road
passes through Bloomington, Champaign
and and Danville. The distance is PIP
miles, three-fourths of which is prairie
and the best in the state. This is great
corn region, and the immense cribs at the
various stations showed the extent of the
harvest. Danville is about seven miles
from the Indiana line. The coal fields
here are very extensive and the coal is of
excellent quality.
The farms and farm houses Of the
neighboring state tell their own story.
We are verify in hoosierdom. The log
house of % years ago begins to abound.
The stick and clay chimney, built out
side, still stands. The coon skin Is
stretched on the smoke house door. The
gears hang on the porch. The house
yard is enclosed with worn fence.
Sycamore blocks make the style. The
stable is across the road, built of logs and
is without chinking Of course not all
farms answer this description, but many
do. Some OF the towns are thriving and
pleasant, Charlottesville is such place.
Wabash college is located here, one of the
best schools in the west. At Indianapo-
liz we met friends and a hearty welcome.
According to the late census this city has
a population of $4,000. Not as many as
the people wanted, but all there are.
We arrived the day after the obsequies
of Gov Williams and found many build
ings still draped in mourning. Wespent
Thanksgiving with our friends and had
royal good time. Snow had fallen
several days before, and by Friday morn
ing it was or inches deep, the greatest
depth for the season in many years.
The run from Indianapolis to Louis
vile is made in four hours and half,
and from Louisville to Nashville in eight
hours. The road between these cities
passes over the poorest part of Kentucky.
The principal places are Elizabethtown
and Bowlinggreen. By this route Nam
moth Cave is reached, being nine miles
from the nearest station. We reached
Nashville two hours late and spent
the night at the Maxwell House one of
the best hotels in the South.
More in my next.
Yours Truly,
w. A. HENDERSON.
On TIME AS UsUAL.-Jones now goes
tn business reoularly That attack of