Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1884-10-09
LETTER FROM THE WEST.


Mr.. EDIToR-Thinking that some OF
your readers might be interested in my
impressions of the West | Jot down
..astily few items gathered while ma
king a flying visit through the States OF
Illinois, Iowa and K.nSas; and while
Eastern Ohio is suffering for want of
ain, the traveller will notice that ere he
reaches the Indiana line there is a
change in the appearance of mother
earth, until the whole country Is covered
with carpet or green as fresh and In
viting as early sIring. The hay, corn,
oats and potato crops of the West are
immense. All through Illinois and Iowa,
large empty corn bins are seen on every
hand. which the happy farmer expects
to fill this fall. This is the first good
crop for three years. New corn is sell
ing on the streets at 80 cents, potatoes
At % cents, and hay at So per ton.
My first S opping place was Kaukee
City, situated on the Kaukakee river,
and having population of 1000. Among
the industries of the city | will mention
the wooden mill, the Coriss wheel and
knitting factory, linseed oil and paper
mills. The asylum for the insane IL ioca-
ted here, and huiit at a cost of 81 ,eO0,-
900, is fine stone edifice, situated on a
gentle elevation, which gives the in-
mates fine view of the placid waters
of Kaukakee; the capacity of the insti-
tuition is 1200, and it certainly is an
honor to the great commonwealth.
j. ". Henry is building barn in
Iroquois county, ILL.,. which. when COM
pleted, will he the largest barn in the
State-being 1872 feet square and AZ feet
high; it will require 100000 shingles
to roof it, and will cost $4,000. Mr..
Henry is dealer in fancy cattle.
But if you want to get warmed up 60
to Chicago. The push, shove. hurry and
eastls is wonderful. started out for. a
stroll, in no hurry: presently the people
began to rush up behind NE. and iOstle
me out of the way; those that were not
walking with all their nights we're down
to dead run; Iscaught the inspiration,
and found myself running as fast as
any of them, when l suddenly jumped
behind a lamp-post, wiped my heated
brow, and exclaimed, what fOolp 1t
was either run or be run over. so 1
chose the former. To see the street cars
running along without any visible mu>
tive power, looks like magic; steam is the
power that runs an endless cable under
tie ground, which cable the engineer
cluthes into or lets 90 at pleasure.
Lincoln Park is where the lover OF ma
ture delights to linger; tie cool shade,
placid waters and prolusion of flowers
are inviting in the geological garden the
greatest attraction to me were the buffa-
10, prairie dogs and seals.
/ spent . pleasant day at the State
fair, held at Chicago, and as there were
no familiar faces among the $4,000 pres'
ent, felt that l was monarch of all |
surveyed" Everything seemed TO be
on exhibition, except the little jersey
COW, and she was excluded because of
the fear the stOckmen have of the pleu>
ri-pneumonia. The various breeds of
horses were there in abundance. |
feasted my eyes for considerable time
on fine English draft horse, and indeed
talked of buying him. but when the
owner quietly said Geo." the feast
was suddenly brought to close. Among
the cattle, the Short-horn seems to be the
favorite; then there was perfect sea of
grnnting, squealing. black hogs, from the
1900 pounder down tOthe little piggy that
"couldn't get over massa'S barn sill"
They also had some chickens. All the
hens were cackling.all the roOsters were
Growing, all the turkeys were gObbling
in true Chicago style. 1t was enough
TO nuddle the brain of Sioux Indian.
Presently man run over my foot with
d wheelbarrow, another sluDg wet bran
all over me, when got mad and left the
hall in disgust. The smallest engine i'll
the worid in practical use was there,
pulling dimiHutige cars around on a
circular elevated platform ;engine about
5 feet long, cents was the fare, and
they went whiZZing. A man sharpening
shoes on horses foot was a novelty, as
was the sewing machine without .
treadle. The incubator man was gath
ering up the pennies, and the ladies
hung in great crowds around the crazy
quilt. The races were fine, the novel
features of which were the ladies' race
on horseback. against pack of gray
hounds. and the hippodrome race-two
men riding four horses, one foot on each
horse; it was half-mile dash; the RI
ders- stood up, and came in under the
whip. There were no intoxicating
liquors sold on the ground, and no arr
rests; no games of chance, and was
withal splendid exhibition of the pro-
ducts of the Sucker State. Am off now
to Southern Kansas and Indian Terri>
tory, where you may hear from me
again: I. c. MERCER.
GO TO THE POLLS TUESDAY.