The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1881-09-29
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
BLoOMINGToN, Sent. 24th. 18S

BLOOMINGTON, Sept. cath, 1881.
We expected to have returned to Cairo
yesterday,but the pleasant weather, the fine
driving and the beauty of the city, added
to our enjoyment of the hospitality and the
society of the family of Mr. Oberly, with
whom we are visiting, has proved to strong
an attraction to be overcome by our rcsolu-
ton and we have concluded to remain until
next week.
Our trip over the |. G. II. X. was pleas
ant one-slept from Centralia to Blooming
ton. Our train arrived here at eight in the
morning. We had been told before leaving
home that we would find one of the hand
soonest towns, and finest country in the west,
but our expectation was hardly up to the
reality. Bloomington is, as a lady would
express it,
A LOVELY CITY.
The streets are all as broad as our Wash
ington avenue, with rows on each side, of
maple, elm or boxelder shade trees. The
dwellings, even to the modest cottages, are
surrounded by large grounds, ornamented
with evergreens and fine shrubbery, brought
from the 600 acre Phoenix nursery, which lies
in the outskirts north OF town. The place
contains about 10000 population, spread
over large scope of undulating country.
The town lots are each three or four times
as large as those of Cairo, and what most
readily attracts the notice of Cairoites, each
lot has back entrance from 30 feet alley
that runs east and west and north and
south, through the centre of the block
The city of Bloomington undoubtedly
contains more wealth and refinement than
can be found in any town of its size in the
state. There is probably hundred private
residences that would attract the attention
of stranger in any city, among these the
residences and grounds of Senator Davis,
may be considered as taking the lead.
But il is not
ITS ELEGANT HOMES,
that gives the city Its reputation for beauty.
We have in Cairo residences that are I'M
surpassed by anything have seen here.
That which is most pleasing to the eye is the
conspicuous absence of rickety, tumble
down, implanted, unkempt old houses and
board shanties. The average of the small
est cottages to be seen would cost
from $500 to $7O0, if built in Cairo,
while the majority of dwellings-not in
GLIDING what we call fine houses would
cost from two thousand five hundred to
ten thousand dollars. The business part Of
the city and the public buildings are all In
fair proportions with their surroundings
The material used in their construction
is mostly iron, brick and cut.stone.
THE BLOOMINGTON WATER WORKS
are not large, but are ample for tho use Of
the city. Water is lavishly used. In
every side of courthouse square is placed
fountains with drinking cups, and iron
troughs tor watering horses. These foun'
tains are kept running day and night, and
must, and naturally would be great factor
in the cause of temperance. | have
not seen single case of drunkenness sine,
my arrival here. The cost of the watel
works, including machinery, and not in.
Guiding mains and pipes, was $4,000
The source of supply is vein that Is al
most an under ground river that fills a
we'll so feet in diameter and 30 feet deer
(these are approximate fgures). The
water is clear, cool and lightly mineral -
properties: iron, sulphur and magnesia
The standpipe is bricked up and is said to
be the highest in the world.
THE NEWSPAPERS.
Three of them, daiies, are well patron
lied. (Their advertising amounts to, for
each $500 per month, better showing
than of the Cairo papers, with their $3.50
average.) The Bulletin is metropolitan in
style and its job Office and press room Is
fitted out in frst.clas order, with the best
material and latest approved machinery
The paper has large and increasing cir.
culation, and what rs most important, Is
making money.
Frank Walker, Of Cairo, is doing hand
some work as foreman Of tho job office
Joe Burke is at the head Of the bindery
aoh,cLara halonua IN tha renorter',