The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-02-07
Letter from the West.
ASHTON, Lee county, Illinois, I
February 3rd, 1885. !

AsHToN Lee county, Illinois,
February Srd, 1885.
MEssRs. VANDRRFoRD BRos.-I thought
might write few lines which would give to
some of your readers that have never visited
the West an idea of things, and also give your
Western subscribers an idea of what an East
erner thinks Of this country. Although meet
ing with many different faces find not few
MARYLAND people, who are always glad to ex-
change greetings with any from their native
State / still find they do not seem to think
that they are in the West. The emigration
Westward from Illinois is even greater then
from Maryland. / was in company this morn
ing with about dozen gentlemen, some OF
whom are going to Oregon and California.
The greater number of emigrants are going to
Dakota or Nebraska.
| stopped in Cumberland, in our State, a
few minutes on my way out, and found 1t
thrifty town. Piedmont, Grafton, Belaire,
CAMBRIDGE. GAINESVILLE. Newark and Mt Yer
non are all up and doing; theygo along rapidly,
like all Western towns with life. Mansfield
is a beautiful place. found Iiffin one of the
live little cities of the West, and spent several
hours with my old friends Chas. j. and DR..
Geo. s. Yingling, to whom I'm very much in.
debted for their hospitality. | found Charley
doing splendid dry goods and notion bust
ness, having about him a splendid corps OF
statesmen, who seem to be very attentive to
their business. Charley has still the same
life as he always exerted in Westminster for
business, and stands there like he did with
us-Grst class. was glad to see DR.. George
selling our Maryland cigars, which have a
splendid reputation in Tifin, and the DR.. is
furnishing every dealer in the town with them.
| found Tiffin alive in agriculture and manu-
featuring interests, and nearly all OF them
paving handsomely. They have electric lights
and every other modern convenience OF larger
places. Tiffin, l think, has 10000 people.
While business in many of the Western towns
Is off | heard no complaints in Tiffin. i
found the ADVOCATE (your paper ON many OF
the Tifin tables, Snditis appreciated and every
word read. Many things we're mentioned to
me which had been stated in the ADVOCATE.
They speak very highly of its prosperity, and
Pm proud oft Tifin las splendid churches
which are generally we'll attended, while, on
the other hand there are SO beer saloons.
Oliver Wentz and Mr.. Simon Leister are doing
finely. | regret for want oftime | was unable
to visit Mr.. Leister.
From Newark to Tifin, and even farther
West, is a grand country; but east of Wheel
ing it is rough, yet magnificent to the view.
Chicago was the next point OF interest. Well,
Chicago, the live Western city, is alive GER
tain. | have taken in the stock yards which
would take column to describe; the public
buildings, the large dry good and furniture
establishments, the grain elevators, the cable
street cars, the fine blocks of houses, and ev-
ery attraction, particularly Milwaukee beer,
which I'm now taking instead of the water;
whereas at home our water is good enough.
| could write of many interesting sights II
Chicago but have not the time. From Chica,
90 to Ashton is without exception the pref
test fiat country under the sun. Every city
town and farm laid off with wide streets, roads
and lanes Farms are all section, J section
or / sections, section being $40 acres, l mile
square. arrived at Ashton at dinner, and hac
the pleasure of dining with my uncle Corne
lius George, who moved from Carroll county
in 1866.
The first thing that greeted me after 9
general shaking of hands was the Westmln.
ster ADVOCATE, which, he said, he devoured
every word of. lie was able through its col
umns to tell me many things which had oc
ourred and which | had lost sight Of After
dinner, with cutter and fine rig, he took me
to the country. We visited Mr.. BAR, iron
Adams county, and also saw Mr.. Harris and
Mr.. Simmons, from New Windsor, and Mr..
Lambert, from New Windsor, who lives al
Franklin. Although hurried as / was fol
time. I saw the people generally from oul
county. / overlooked stating that | again
spied the ADVOCATE at Mr.. Harris. find
you have patrons through the West generally
From Ashton | 90 via Chicago to Grand
Rapids, the great furniture headquarters; then
to New York, and will reach home Sunday
next.
hope this win find you and Westminster
generally alive and active to the general In
terests Except street paYiug),
GEO. w. ALBAUGH.