Year: 1876

KANKAKEE, Illinois,


June 30th, 1876.


lt is so often that voice from the
West is heard through the columns of
our newspapers, that am not certain
but the story has all been told ere this,
and even the keenest pen will now fail
to produce anything that shall serve to
interest or amuse. But every one must
have their turn to speak, and ] have
never taken mine, so | will at least have
the pleasure of noting down my thoughts,
and possibly some of the many readers
of the Bellows Falls TIMES may grant
them an indulgent reading. My range
of observation, at present, is confined to
what is within and about the little city
of Kankakee, and although this is only
a little spot on the face of the broad
earth, its inhabitants deem it well wor-
thy of something more than passing
notice. A few years ago, people spoke
of this as portion of the far, new,
western world, but quick-footed civiliza-
tion has placed us in the back ground,
and aOe must travel on many, many miles
ere we reach the land of the accident,
from whence come now the thrilling sto-
ries of rough, frontier life. So we'll ar
ranged are the facilities of travel at the
present day, that it seems but step
from Vermont Green Maintains, to the
prairie land of Illinois. Thrift and en-
terprise are ever noted as prominent
traits in the character of the Western
world, and it is true, that one cannot
fail everywhere to observe an increase of
life and activity, over most of the east
ern cities. At present Western men
wear the badge of hard times, in the
shape of long faces, and rusty coats, as
well as their eastern brethren. But the
old adage that "while there is life, there
is hope" is an ever true one so the dem
izens Of the West are living in conf
dent hope of better days. Our present
abiding place, Kankakee, is city high
ly favored in its locality, both as regards
beauty and utility. The meaning of its
somewhat uncouth Indian name, is
beautiful river" and the stream from
which the name originated, is well de-
scribed by the adjective prefxed by the
red man. The broad prairies which
surround the city, have also their points
of beauty, though to the eye of Yer
monter, the picture seems incomplete
without any rocks and hills to relieve
the monotonous level The practical
farmer, however, is quite willing to dis
pense with the beauty, since his fertile
and easily titled fields, are what brings
the gold into his Golfers. This season is
a somewhat discouraging one to the far
mers in this region, for the country is
flooded with rain, and many of the low
lands suffer severely. The fruits of the
season are abundant with us, and straw
berries for six, and cherries at four cents
a quart, fill the markets daily.


Fifty miles northeast of Kankakee, is
the great emporium of the West, Chica-
go, and one can almost fancy that they
hear the murmurings of its busy, rest
less life.


One thing worthy of remark, here, is
the fact that most of the wealthy citi-
zens of this place, were originally Yer
monters. One of our most prominent
men, has sent his young sons to
be educated in one Of the institutions of
Vermont A canvass of our United
States, would show that her mountain
homes have sent into the worlds busy
field, many worthy son and daughter,
of whom she may justly be proud. And
for the principles, firm and sure as her
rocky hills, which they there imbibed,
many prosperous man may send to this
fair state of his nativity tribute of
thanks. Some one recently remarked
that Vermont was good state to be
born in, but very poor one to die in.
! say, not SO for can think of moth
ing more desirable, when life, with its
cares and tolls must be laid by, than to
die in Old New England and sleep be-
meath her hills" d.