Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1882-04-14
LETTER FROM ILLINOIS.
B1ooMrNoroN. Ill.,, March 20, /

BLOOMINGTON, ILL.,, March 2G, 1882.
Ed. VI. PhgRiD Since am in receipt of
several letters from the east complimenting
my literary effort lately published in The
PHOENIX, and since 1 am sure you can find
space for another in your paper, l will give
you a few more sentences about Illinois in
general and Central Illinois in particular.
This city, Bloomington, is rapidly increas-
ing in population, business and influence
The county and adjoining districts bid fair to
produce an unprecedented quantity of grain
this year, and prices promise to be satisfacto-
ry to raiser and purchaser alike. The land
throughout the central portion of the state is
rolling, and the highest altitude in the state
is found Just north of this city. Tho land in
many instances brings 5000 per ncre and is
accounted one of the best and safest invest
monts to be made.
Our population is largely made up Of New
England people, Maine sending a large share
and Vermont not being distanced by any
means. One of our best-informed fnanciers
is from Burlington in the Green Mountain
state, and is cashier of the First National
bank here. might mention other Vermont.
ers who have attained no little distinction, but
will reserve that for future letter.
1t has always been supposed, believe that
the New England states were ahead in Gil mat
ters pertaining to the liberty and advantages
offered women but may say that Illinois is
not behind them in this respect. Blooming
ton has a lady superintendent of her nine
public schools, lady member of the board
g 4 Al = 4
er among the fifty employed by the city.
Chicago has its pension agency presided over
by lady, and several of the county superin-
tendents of schools are ladies'
In politics this city and county are Repub-
lican, and the coming municipal election is at
present fruitful topic of conversation, as is
also the struggle at the polls for county Off
GERS. The county, being heartily Republican,
will probably be put into what is now Dem
ocratic Congressional district by the legsla-
ture which is at work on the new apportion-
ment bv which this state gains one represen-
tatlve.
In social pleasures and the drama Bloom
ington is never behind the east. Club and
private parties are numerous in the winter
season, and such Legitimate dramatists as
Booth, Mccullough, Barrett, and others,
tread the boards at our opera houses. Fast
houes and blooded stock of all kinds are nu-
merous, and riding parties are met by the
score in the summer season. For amusement
/ the city does not lack, and every one enjoys
himself best he may. Picnics, suburban
retreats, fairs three parks, skating rinks and
baseball grounds furnish outdoor pleasure, in
their season, for all and those who care to
indulge in the foaming amber can visit the
large brewery south of the city In the mat
ter of liquor manufacturing, that one brewery
is the sole source for this neighborhood.
| Having, no doubt, exhausted your space,
will cease writing for to-day; but should my
words meet the appreciation of your readers.
will hold myself ready to contribute more
| in the future. PERK