LETTER FROM THE WEST BY SARAH E. COGSWELL DESCRIBING GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN

Crescent Park, Grand Rapids, Michigan

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, October 3, 1890.

Letters from the West.

   Ionia, Mich., Sept. 27, 1890.

   EDITOR DEMOCRAT:—Perhaps some of the points which have proven of interest to a traveling citizen of Cortland may not be altogether uninteresting to your readers at home.

   Leaving Homer, N. Y. by the 6:15 A. M. train, Wednesday, Sept. 17, my friend Miss Cina Stedman, of Homer, and I arrived at Syracuse at 7:15. The lateness of the west-bound train, with its multitude of passengers en route for the State Fair being held at Syracuse, was in our favor, and we were soon speeding on our way to Buffalo. The heavy clouds of the morning were gradually lifted, until just after passing Rochester, the sun came out mildly, and so not wearisome to the eyes, and continued to shine throughout our journey, which by the way was a delightful one in every respect, the heat and dust of traveling earlier in the season having past.

   Going by way of the Suspension Bridge our view of Niagara Falls was limited, but as we were making good time, it was thought best not to delay for the better view until the return trip. Passing through the southern portion of Ontario, Canada, we arrived at Windsor, on the opposite side of the river from Detroit, at 10:30 P. M., stopping for the night at the Crawford House. The Detroit river, with its numerous lights, is a magnificent scene, not soon to be forgotten.

   In the morning, after having been shown through the Canada branch of D. M. Ferry's seed house, with which there is much of interest connected, we took the ferry-boat for Detroit, from thence to the Union depot. A longer stop at Detroit, also is anticipated when returning.

   Passing through Ann Arbor, Jackson, (at which place is located on the railroad, the State prison), Charlotte and Hastings, we arrived at Grand Rapids at 1:30 P. M., (Thursday), took a hack for 134 N. Prospect St., the home of Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Gould, nee Miss Ella Calvert, formerly of Cortland, where we received a cordial welcome.

   Grand Rapids, according to the census of 1889, had a population of 41,934, and has a much larger one now. The eastern portion is built upon a hill, the remainder on a level. It contains very many fine buildings, including churches and private residences. The City Hall, with its tower clock and the Government Building containing the Post Office, are among the number. A new and spacious Court House and a Dutch Reform Church are being erected, also business blocks and many dwelling houses throughout the city. Announcements of services to be held in twenty-six different churches on the east side of Grand River were given in the Daily Eagle of Saturday.

   Several parks are laid out in and about the city; the one known as "Crescent

Park," situated toward the north-eastern part, being on the hillside, is terraced, having a fountain in its centre, and leading down from it is a long stairway, overhanging the summit of which is an electric light, which gives a very pleasant effect, and can be seen for a long distance down the street.

   Outside the city limits, east of the Grand River, is North Park, on which is erected a beautiful commodious cottage, (its interior finished in hard wood) for the reception of picnics parties. Refreshments are sold here, but no liquor can be had within the radius of a mile. From the rear windows a charming view of Grand River and the surrounding landscape is secured. The wharves are generously supplied with boats, while the grounds are provided with hammocks, croquet, sway back, &c. Still further improvements are being made.

   Nearly opposite the Park is the Soldiers' Home, consisting of the main building, the bakery, and the hospital, all of which are large, fine, buildings made of white brick, at whose front are spacious grounds now being laid out in an appropriate manner. Adjoining North Park and also situated upon the Grand River, is a Park belonging to the Home, having the customary furnishings with the addition of a bathing house.

   A dummy car, run from the terminus of the grounds to the city, carries passengers to and from the parks.

   Upon either side of the road leading to these parks from the city, is a forest which adds much to its attractiveness as a drive, especially during the warm season.

   To the south-east of the city is a park situated on "Reed's Lake," supplied with buildings, boats, &c., and to this place parties who desire to use Sunday as a day of recreation and general sabbath-breaking resort, a balloon ascension being one of the seemingly attractive features of the occasion.

   Still further out in this direction is the "Masonic Home," a fine white brick structure.

   Electric, cable and horse cars are used throughout the city.

   Sunday morning we attended the Park street Congregational Church, the pastor, Rev. A. R. Merriam, preaching. A visit to the Sunday School, not forgetting the Primary Department, was one of much interest and profit.

   An investigation concerning the W. C. T. U. gospel temperance service revealed the fact that their meetings are held upon Thursday afternoons. The rooms are used upon Sundays by the "Christian Scientists."

   For the evening service we attended the Fountain street Baptist Church, Sermon by the pastor, Rev. J. L. Jackson, D. D.

   Much can be said in favor of each sermon, the singing, the congregations, and even the church edifices themselves, but time and space are limited.

   Arising at 5 A. M. on Monday morning a trip downtown was rewarded by the view of rows of wagons, beginning at the head of Monroe (Main) street and running down as far as Ionia street, on both sides, backed up to the sidewalk and standing hub to hub, loaded down with everything conceivable in the line of vegetables and fruit. The same kind of wagons form a girdle around Monument Park and run over into the side streets.

   Along with the vegetable wagons comes an army of buyers from all over the city, and in an incredibly short time the immense amount of produce is distributed among the scores of grocery stores throughout the city and by them delivered to customers.

   Outlying the city limits is as rich and finely cultivated garden country as the sun ever shone on, which is filled in the most part by foreigners, who, given a small piece of land, far excel their American neighbors. These foreigners, who are mostly Hollanders, own from one to two acres of land each, every inch of which is utilized.

   Close to five thousand persons derive a livelihood from raising the vegetables consumed inside the limits of the city. In order to be in readiness for each morning's journey, a distance of five miles in many cases, it is necessary to rise at 8 o'clock. The vegetables are usually prepared during the afternoon of the day previous.

   A visit to Leonard's immense crockery store was another interesting feature of the forenoon. Three floors (with elevator) are required for the stock; the first floor used for crockery in general, the second for fancy crockery, the third for toys, willow ware, tin ware, &c, and housekeeping utensils generally.

   In response to a message from friends at Ionia, that they would meet me at the arrival of the afternoon train, I bade adieu to the friends at Grand Rapids by whom I had been so pleasantly entertained, cherishing a hope that I might return before many days.

   My next letter will contain a descriptive sketch of the Michigan Criminal Insane Asylum, also of the State House of Correction.

   Yours sincerely,

   SARAH E. COGSWELL.

NEIGHBORING COUNTIES.

   CHENANGO.—Oxford has but one hop yard, of some five acres.

   [Civil War veteran] Andrew Jadison, of North Pharsalia, has obtained a pension of $14 a month, with $1,400 back pay.

   The Times says that a party of Oxford hunters are getting ready to go to the North Woods after bar [bear].

   The Maydole hammer factory at Norwich recently put in a new 300 horse power Corliss engine, to drive their machinery with.

   The corrected census of Norwich gives the following figures: Town, 6,489; village, 5,181. Town and village in 1880, 5,766. Gain in ten years, 733, or nearly 13 per cent.

   Henry Loomis, of Smithville, had eight sheep killed by dogs on Wednesday of last week. The dogs also went into Clem Miller's flock of sheep and being discovered, killed only one sheep in this flock. Mr. Miller heard the commotion among his sheep, and going cautiously up to the spot where the dogs had a sheep down and were tearing it to pieces, he almost succeeded in catching one of the brutes by his hind leg; but the dog discovered Mr. Miller just as he was about to fasten upon him and ran away like a scared wolf.

   MADISON.—It is expected that Dr. Justin will again test his dynamite cartridge at Perryville October 10.

   Dunne Carskadden of Oneida has been appointed to an $800 position in the New York custom house.

   E. Blair, of the Cazenovia Republican office has received an appointment in the government printing office at Washington.

   It is estimated that the hop crop will cause a million dollars to be disbursed within a radius of fifteen miles of Brookfield this fall.

   A determined effort was made Friday night to burn the hotel at Eaton owned by Mrs. Sarah Hunt. Fire was started in three places, which were saturated with kerosine.

   Jessie F. Carpenter, of Cazenovia, has purchased a handsome residence site in the fashionable northwest quarter of Washington, D. C., paying $93,572 for the 336 square feet.

   TOMPKINS.—There are 302 pupils in the Ithaca High School.

   B. J. Davis killed a large snake he is sure was a copperhead, in Washington Park, Ithaca, one day last week. By the way this has been a good year for snakes in this vicinity.

   Charles Stephens, of Buffalo, a man on the University Library building in Ithaca, was on the tower last Monday, which at the present time is nearly seventy feet from the ground. When the load by the steam elevator reached the top, Stephens stepped in to go down, but the brakes were off and the tub went down with lightning rapidity. His left leg was wrenched out by the ankle joint and moved almost to the centre of the instep. He was taken to the Lehigh Valley House and cared for by Drs. Lewis and Babcock.

  

Some Natural Gas in Auburn.

   While boring for water on the premises of Lawrence Burns, 16 Madison Avenue, Auburn, Wednesday, a vein of natural gas was struck at a depth of 80 feet. The gas flowed freely and when ignited sent up a flame four or five feet above the mouth of the six inch pipe, with which the well is lined. The drilling is now being done through solid rock and will be continued until water is struck. The gas now flows freely and the men employed in drilling believe the supply sufficient for fuel for Mr. Burns' house if he desires to utilize it. Whether the supply is sufficient for public use cannot be determined until the boring has been continued. The result is eagerly awaited.