Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1883-07-03
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For the SPECTATOR.
A Letter from Illinois.
EUREKA. IL. June goth. 1888.

EUREKA, ILL.,, June goth, 1888.
Dear Editor u
| AS it has been some time since you heard
from me, may state something of interest
to your readers. have been living in Illi-
nois for nine years and am now a full
tiedged sucker" Eureka, the Greek-label-
ed city ofmy residence, is situated in Wood
ford county, at the intersection of the Wa
bash, st. Louis IL Pacific, and the Chicago,
Pekin & Southwestern Railroads. 1t is
within from twenty to twenty-five miles
from PEORIA Pekin, and Bloomington, and
is therefore the center ofa population Of one
hundred thousand. The town is most
beautifully located and is one of the health
lest and most moral of the state. It now
has population of two thousand, and is
destined to be the town of Woodford county.
Woodford county is always Democratic from
three to six hundred, though at the last cleo
tiona "Mahoneish" action on the part of
some of the party resulted in the election
of two "haf-breeds." The nomination of
solid Democrats is almost equivalent to their
election and of course that state of affairs is
satisfactory 10 me, and we,are hopeful that
the political character of the State can be i'm
proved upon, and we have good reasons for
expecting it, also general United-States
house-cleaning," since the clearing of the
Star-route robbers.
There is now being made determined
effort by our citizens, to secure the county
seat of this county. The election will take
place this fall and we have every assurance
that we will be successful. Our town is
nearer the center of the county than is Met
amora, the present capitol of the county,
and is far more accessible. Metamora is
on one side of the county, has but one rail
road and that branch road, and is a small
er and less important town. The present
county buildings are inadequate, and as we
must have new ones, the feeling is almost
general that they should be located at this
place.
In this city is located the Eureka College
and School of Music. They are coniunc-
lively operated and are popular institutions.
The college has an average attendance of
about two hundred and fifty students. The
commencement exercises were held here
last week and the town was crowded with
relatives and friends of the participants.
There are nine members of the faculty, not
including the assistant professors. The
School of Music is under the direction of
Professor Metcalf, graduate of Leipsic,
and one of the finest musicians in this
country. Professor Blitz, the instructor on
the violin, is also fine performer, and has
violin that cost him $500. The latter has
gone to visit relatives in Europe, but will be
present at the commencement of the next
term, about the first of next Semptember.
Just North of our town is located the
Normal District Camp-meeting grounds.
This is one of the finest parks in the state.
There is now in progress of erection on
their grounds large hotel, and taberna-
Gle will be built for services. Many other
costly and permanent improvements will
be made. The grounds embrace about
thirty three acres, and last year on one day
there were ten thousand people there. Har-
rison, the 'boy preacher" has been engag-
ed to conduct the meetings this summer,
which will commence about the first week
in August.
The natural advantages of this town are
abundant, never-failing spring furnishing
water for all animals, being conducted by
pipes to troughs. The public park located
in the center of the town is on the summit
of a hill around which the principal busi-
ness houses are located. There, we think,
we will locate the court house.
Business here at present is rather quiet,
the farmers all being busy at present. They
have been delayed considerably of late by
excessive rains, but indications are that
they will have good crops this season. 1
am still in the boot and shOe-business and
am doing good business, as the time 1
have remained here will indicate. l have
come to consider this home, and although
Virginia is great old State, still 1 think
Illinois will ego it one better.' To all
my old friends l send my kindest regards
and would be pleased to see any of them if
they should ever be in this vicinity, espec-
tally the Stout young Blackstone wrestler
nf iSha hoE fho
TAToR will continue to flourish and con-
tinue in the commendable course of the
past, l am, respectfully, yours,
w H. FISHER