Year: 1878

SPRINGFIELD, Ills, Oct 4, 1873.


EDITOR CHIEF: The country, for many miles around
this city, is without scarcely hill or hollow-one
surface of level bottom land. This being the case,
the streets straight and broad and the buildings
look very handsome. There ID not very much busi-
done here. and the lveliest times during the
meeting Of the Legislature. 1t is desirable place
for homc-quiet peaceable sociable.


While here, We have counted one hundred and
twenty-five covered wagons all of which were Kansas
bound ehave talked with several of the Travellers
and they unanimously agree that a man can make a
living easier, and stand a much better chance Of
saving mp something, by going to Kansas than any
where else. We then asked them what they knew
about it, and they generally answered that they had
read the papers. One old man. from Indiana, we
tried to scare by telling him that Kansas grass
unprecedented State, to which he answered: "You
can't cod me; know what I'm about Kansas
don't have hoppers every year" THAT is so, sir"
We said; "go to Kansas, my good man, and You will
do WELL" We then told him all about the State
the advantages in schools its intelligent newspapers
and how much better her crops were this year than
many other States. He thanked us for the informa-
ton, and proceeded on his way The last saw of
him, he was disappearing in the west, with ten
canvas schooners'


One would not come here and miss seeing the Lin
coin monument especially if he were IN American.
We rode out on pleasant day, and made an examin-
alton of the magnificent pile of stone. When We
told the custodian who were, he id he very
delighted to meet said he was formerly of Kan
sas," and lived the farm of n B. Wood just north
Of Troy; had never seen Sol. Miller, but read the
Chief every week, and considered it splendid
paper My name is Power-J C. Power" he went
on to state and should be pleased to show you
the monument" We said we should like to be
shown around; so, with the greatest patience and
politeness, he explained everything we wished to
know. The obelsk is one hundred feet in height
and in order reach the topmost portions you have
to climb one hundred and ten short steps; and
though the ascent lie a weary one you will be well
repaid for the trouble for from there you can get
good view of Oakwood Cemetery, and Springfield
has more lovely appearance than you had i'm
agined. In the catacOmb rest the bodies of our mar
tyred President and his three children, aud there are
two vaults reserved for the other members of the
family-Mrs Lincoln and her son Robert. In "Me-
mortal Hall placed for exhibition the memorials
of regret and coincidence sent to Mrs Lincoln soon
after the heartrending assassination, and many
relics of good old Abe. There also here some of
the tools which the burglars left behind them in
1876, when they attempted to desecrate the tomb of
our much loved Your readers have been in
formed what failure they made, and how they were
caught after. The bronze statue of Lincoln
faces the south, and he is represented holding the
Emancipation Proclamation in his left hand, while
with his right hand he is holding pen, as if he
were about to sign the document. The statne was
unveiled, and the monument dedicated, October Is,
1874. As work of art it ranks in the first class,
and is perpetual honor TO country, as well as
fitting symbol of remembrance to the great and good
man. CARLOS NoGGs.