Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1882-09-09
Letter From Illinois.
SPRINGFIELD, liz, Sept. )

/ A-tbo'' LitNVt 1CftS%Ittts
Thinking some of your readers
might like to hear from the Pra-
ries, have concluded to write you
from this place, Springfield, the
capital of the State. which has a
population of 10000. and is grow
| ing, as you know. This was the
former home and the final resting
place of the illustrious Lincoln. A
handsome monument, in honor of
the murdered President, is an OBJ
ject of especial interest-his re-
mains being deposited beneath il.
Since | wrote you from Ken
tucky,I have again been to Cincin-
natl, and while the guest of Mr.. X.
II. Huntington, Of the extensive
milling firm of Z. H. Huntington
& Co., he kindly showed us thro'
the 1000" while there had a ride
on a real elephantl, thence to Cliff
ton, one of the beautiful suburbs Of
the Queen City; from Clifton to
Burnett Woods Park and the
Queen City Club, where a most
elegant repast, including NUNS
Extra Dry, was partaken Of with
great relish. Leaving Cincinnati
via Q. q NJ. r r.. we went TO Co.
lumbus, Vineennes, and Terre
Haute. Ind. and from Terre Haute
to st. Louis While ia ST. Louis,
among others, we had the pleasure
of meeting Mr.. Jas. T. Cunning
ham, of the Treasury Department
of the Wabash, st. Louis q Pacific
Railway, and his brother Henry,
TO whom we are indebted for many
c0urtesies.
70 those Of your readers who
| have been debarred the privilege
of seeing the different phases OF
Western life, / will give an idea of
how Sunday is observed especially
in st. Louis: Going down Fourth
Street near Elm, we were attract
ed by the sound Of music. Upon
entering the building from whence
the sound came "a great big beer
saloon) we beheld an orchestra
composed of fourteen beautiful
females, dressed in white, and all
wearing dresses which had been
made for as many little girls, at
least we judged SO by the length
of the skirts. From here we went
to lafayette Park, beautiful
little place surrounded by hand
some residences. Within stones
throw is Schnader's Garder-this
IS quite a resort for all classes, and
their beer is first-rate. Entertain
ments of all kinds were going on
all over and around the city ; at
the fair grounds four to five thous-
and people were assembled to wit
ness a game of base ball, between
a home club and a visiting club
from the East. OF course we at
tended these places simply for the
purpose Of informing others who
have not the opportunity Of ascer-
certaining for themselves. While
many Of them were enjoying
themselves as described, the
churches, we are told, were well
attended. From st, Louis we came
TO Illinois, and have been to places
too numerous TO mention. While
at EdgeWood, Eflingham county,
we narrowed a gun and dog, and
had a couple of hours hunt for
Prairie chickens We drove two
miles from the village and return
ed in the time mentioned with five
beauties. 1t is fine sport and we
enjoyed it very much. Near Edge
wood l was shown q peice Of land
which was bought las. winter one
year ago, for SO per acre; sowed
in wheat last fall, and 2400 bushels
thrashed from it this harvest,
which was sold for S1.00 per
busbel. How is that for a new
beginner? 1t is now broken up
and will be soWn in wheat again
this month, Many farmers in this
section have already soWed, and
others are getting ready as fast as
possible.
Wheat is now selling for 80 to
80 cents. OLD corn is scarce; the
prospects for the new crop are
generally good. The largest crop
of oats ever rassed in the State
has been harvested this year and
is selling for q and 80 cents per
bushel, according to locality. The
estimate is 1875, $50 bushels, that
being a 270, $50 bushels more than
the largest crop heretofore produc-
ed in this State, and the quality
is generally good. A large part of
the crop has been threshed and
the amount damaged by rain be-
fore stocking or threshing is quite
limited.
The principal streets have been
crowded nearly all day by people
waiting to see the procession of
Forepaugh's circus, which was to
open up here. A telegram has
just been received saying there