PART 3
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Racoon, a small stream in Greene county, that enters the Illinois river twelve miles above its mouth. The bottoms on this creek, and on the Illinois river at this point, are narrow, and the surface adjoining is much broken into bluffs and ravines. Racoon Creek, a small stream that runs across the north end of Crawford county, and enters the Wabash. Racoon Creek, in the northeastern part of Morgan county, and runs into Dickerson's lake. Radcliff's Point, in Washington county, five miles west of Nashville, and a small settlement. Ramsey's Creek rises near the line of Montgomery and Shelby counties, runs a southeastern course, and enters the Kaskaskia ten miles north of Vandalia. A considerable settlement lies along this creek. This is sometimes called Booz Creek. Ramsey's Settlement, in the southwestern part of Madison county, on Sugar creek, twenty miles from Edwardsville. Randleman's Settlement, in St. Clair county, twelve miles southwest of Belleville, and near the borders of Monroe county. Randolph, a town site at the mouth of the Piasau on the Mississippi, on fractional sections twenty-five and twenty-six, township two north, eleven west and about equidistant between Alton and Grafton. It is laid out above the Piasau and betwixt that stream and the Mississippi, on table land, above the highest floods. Abundance of lime stone and good timber, water privileges and never failing springs, a good landing for steamboats and other advantages are found here. Lots to the value of $20,000 have been sold this spring and buildings are in process of erection, especially a large hotel. Randolph's Grove, on Kickapbo creek, above Big grove, above twelve miles south from Bloomington, in McLean county. In shape, it is almost circular, and is a valuable tract of land, containing lime stone, and a population of about forty families. The grove comprises about twelve sections of timbered land. A post office. Rapids of Illinois. There is a succession of rapids m the Illinois, both above and below the mouth of Fox river, with intervals of deep and smooth water. From the mouth of Fox river to the foot of the rapids is nine miles - the descent in all eight feet. The rock soft sand stone mixed with gravel and shelly lime stone. Nine miles above Fox river the grand rapids, commence, and extend ten or twelve miles. They are formed by ledges of rock in the river, and rocky islands. The whole descent from the surface of lake Michigan, at Chicago, to the foot of the rapids, a distance of ninety-four and one-fourth miles, is 141 87-100 feet. Rapids of the Mississippi. These are distinguished as the Lower and Upper rapids. The Lower, or, as frequently called, the Des Moines, because opposite the mouth of that river, are twelve miles long, and formed by beds of rock. They injure the navigation in low water, and sometimes entirely prevent the passage of large boats. The Upper Rapids commence at Rock Island, and extend eighteen miles up the river. The navigation of these rapids is about to be improved by the general government for which purpose an appropriation was made last congress. Rattan's Prairie is in Madison county, seven miles northwest from Edwardsville. It is level, some portions rather wet, and surrounded, with fine farms. Ray's Settlement is on the east side of Hancock county, in five north, five west - a fine tract on the waters of Crooked creek. Readfield, a town site in Pike county on section thirty, four south, five west. Rector's Fork, in Gallatin county, is a branch of the North fork of Saline creek, which it enters fifteen miles above Equality. Rhoades's Settlement, in Greene county, south of the Macoupin, and fifteen miles southeast of Carrollton. A mixture of timber and prairie. Richland Creek, a small stream and branch of Sangamon river. It rises in the prairies near the borders of Morgan county, runs a northerly course, and enters Sangamon river below Spring creek. The land on its borders is first rate. Richland, a tributary of the Kaskaskia, in Shelby county, rises on the east side of the county, runs southwest, and enters the Kaskaskia river near the line of Fayette. A large settlement in the southeastern part of the county. Richland, a small creek in St. Clair county, that rises in Ogle's prairie, runs south past Belleville, and unites with Prairie du Long creek, in the east part of Monroe county. The land upon its borders is proportioned into timber and prairie, and of excellent quality. Richland Grove, on Camp creek in the eastern part of Mereer and western part of Henry county, is a valuable body of timber, five miles, long, and an average width of two miles. It is principally in fifteen and six north and one east. Richwoods. Three tracts of timbered land in Greene county are known by this name, one of which is also called Linden bottom. The timbered tract north of Apple creek, and between Apple creek prairie and the Illinois bluffs, bears this name. A tract of timber lying between Carrollton and Bluffdale, several miles in extent, has also received this name. The land is undulating, rich, well timbered, and is occupied by a large settlement. See Linden bottom. Ridge Prairie is situated in Madison county, commencing near Edwardsville, and extending south to St. Clair county. It is on the dividing ridge between the waters that fall into the Mississippi west, and those that flow to the Kaskaskia east. Originally this prairie extended into St. Clair county as far south as Belleville, but long since, where farms have not been made, it has been intersected by a luxuriant growth of timber. Its surface is gently undulating, the soil rich, and is surrounded and indented with many fine farms. Ridge Prairie post office is at Troy, Madison county, seven miles southeast from Edwardsville, on the road to Carlyle. Ridge Settlement, in Clinton county, from three to six miles south of Carlyle, is a large settlement and in a good tract of land. Ridge Settlement lies in Union county, on the road to Brownsville, and extends into Jackson county. It is a high, hilly, timbered tract of good land, well watered, and has from one hundred to one hundred and fifty families. River Precinct is the settlement which extends along the Wabash river opposite Vincennes, in Lawrence county. It is a rich bottom, heavily timbered, and contains sixty or seventy families. Robinson's Creek rises in the northwestern part of Shelby county runs a south course, and enters the Kaskaskia river near Shelbyville. The country on its borders is proportioned into timber and prairie, and has a large settlement. Rochester, a town site in Sangamon county, at the junction of the North and South forks of the Sangamon river, ten miles east of Springfield, on the principal road to Decatur. It has a steam and other mills, and twenty-five or thirty families, and a post office. Rock Creek rises in Adams county, in one north, seven west, runs west, and enters the south prong of Bear creek. The land is timber and prairie, and excellent. Rock Creek, a branch of the Mackinau, in Tazewell county. Rock Creek, in Sangamon county, rises near Clary's grove, runs north and enters the Sangamon river, a few miles below Richland creek. The land adjoining is excellent. Rockford, a town site in Winnebago county at the rapids of Rock river in township forty-four north, and on the stage road from Chicago to Galena. Here is immense power for hydraulic purposes, and mills are erecting. Rock Island is in the Mississippi, three miles above the mouth of Rock river. It is three miles long, and from one half to one mile wide, with lime stone rock for its base. Fort Armstrong is on its south end. On two sides the rock is twenty feet perpendicular above the river, and forms the foundation wall of the fort. A portion of the island is cultivated. Rock Island City is laid out on a magnificent scale, at the junction and in the forks between Rock river and the Mississippi. In connection a compauy has been chartered to cut a canal from the Mississippi, near the head of the upper rapids, across to Rock river, by which it is said, an immense hydraulic power will be gained. The town site as surveyed, extends over a large area and includes Stephenson the seat of justice. Rock Port, a town site in Pike county, on the Snycartee Slough, and where it strikes the bluff and high grounds. Here the Atlas mills are in operation for sawing and manufacturing flour on an extensive scale. A charter has been granted and a company formed to open a steamboat canal from the Snycartee to the Mississippi rivers, at a point three miles above Rockport, where the Snycartee approaches within half a mile of the Mississippi, and thus furnish steamboat navigation direct to the town. Rock River, a large, navigable stream in the northern part of the state, that enters the Mississippi three miles below Rock Island. Its principal head is in a region of lakes and swamps, towards Fox river of Green Bay, its course south, and then southwesterly. Another head is Catfish, a stream in Wisconsin territory, that connects together the "Four lakes" the head waters of which commence in a swamp a few miles south of fort Winnebago. The country towards the head of Rock river is made up alternately of swamps and quag mires, ridges, of sand and shrubby oaks, with tracts of rich, dry, undulating land. The Terre Tremblant, or trembling land, is in this region, so called from the shaking of the surface while passing over it. The militia of Illinois suffered much in passing their horses through this country in 1832 while pursuing the army of Black Hawk. After Rock river enters the state of Illinois it receives the Peek-a-ton-o-kee, and several smaller streams, from the right, and from the left, Turtle river, Sycamore, Green river and several smaller streams. Much of the country through which it passes in Illinois is prairie. About the mouths of Turtle river and Sycamore creek are large bodies of timber. It generally passes along a channel of lime and sand stone rock, and has several rapids of some extent that injure the navigation at low water. The first are three or four miles above its mouth. The second are twelve or fifteen miles below Dixon's ferry. The next are below the Peek-a-ton-o-kee. The country generally along Rock river to the boundary line is beautifully undulating, the soil rich, and the timber deficient. This, however, will not prevent it from becoming an extensive agricultural region. Rock Spring is situated in St. Clair county, on the Vincennes and St. Louis stage road, eighteen miles east of the latter place, and eight and a half miles northeast of Belleville. It is an elevated, and a healthy, and pleasant situation, in a tract of barrens, selected by the author of this work as a permanent residence in 1830. Its name is derived from a series of springs that issue from ledges of rock a few rods from the public road. Here is a post office, and daily mail. Rockwell, a town site on the north side of the Illinois river above the mouth of Little Vermilion river, on the line of the canal. Rodgers's Creek, called also Turkey Fork, a branch of Crooked creek, in McDonough county. [See Vance's settlement.] Rolling's Prairie, in Franklin county, north of Frankfort, is six miles long and four miles wide. The land is level and good, the settlement small. Rome, a town laid off on section five, ten north, nine east on the west side of Peoria lake, in Peoria county. Here the lake is one mile wide. Population about 150. Round Grove is a small tract of timber described by its name in Warren county, in ten north, three west. Round Prairie, in the northeastern part of Schuyler county, on Williams's creek twenty miles from Rushville. It is a rich, dry, undulating prairie, four miles in diameter, and surrounded with timber. Round Prairie, in Wabash county, twelve miles northeast from Mount Carmel, four miles in diameter, very fertile, and has eighteen or twenty fine farms on it. Round Prairie, in Bond county, six miles west of north from Greenville, is from one to two miles in diameter. It is undulating and rich, surrounded with a large body of good timber, and has a considerable settlement. Round Prairie, in Perry county, on the east side of Beaucoup, eight or nine miles from Pinckneyville. It is one mile wide, and from one to two miles long, and has a good settlement. Round Prairie, the forks of Sugar creek and the south fork of Sangamon river, in Sangamon county, a fine tract of country, seven miles southeast of Springfield. Rush Creek, a small stream in Jo Daviess county, that rises between Plum and Apple rivers, runs a southwestern course, and enters the Mississippi six or eight miles below Apple river. The first six miles from the mouth is low, wet, bottom land; above are alternate bottoms and precipitous bluffs. At the head is a fine farming country, with considerable timber. Rushville, the seat of justice for Schuyler county, is situated in the central part of the county, at the south end of a beautiful prairie, on section thirty, two north, one west, ten miles from the Illinois river at the nearest point, and twelve from Beardstown. It has eight or ten stores, various mechanics and professional men, Presbyterian, Methodist, Episcopalian and Campbellite churches, and 1000 inhabitants. A charter for a railroad to the Illinois river opposite Beardstown has been granted. The court house is of brick, two stories, and the people have erected a brick school house. Good building stone and plenty of coal are found in the vicinity. The settlements around Rushville are large, and the village itself exhibits a quietness and neatness in its external appearance that is pleasing to the traveller. Russell's Grove, in McDonough county, north of west from Macomb, is a fine tract of timbered land surrounded with rich prairie, and a considerable settlement. Russelville, a town site and post office on the Wabash river in the northeast corner of Lawrence county. Sadorus, a small grove and settlement at the head timber of the Kaskaskia, on the road from Springfield to Danville. Salem, the seat of justice for Marion county, is situated on the eastern border of the grand prairie, on the Vincennes and St. Louis stage road, on section eleven, two north, range two east of the third principal meridian. It is a pleasant village of about thirty families. Saline, a navigable stream in Gallatin county, that enters the Ohio river twelve miles below Shawneetown, on section five, eleven south, ten east. It is made by three principal branches distinguished as the North, South, and Middle forks, which unite near Equality. The North fork rises near McLeansboro' in Hamilton county, and runs a southerly course. The South fork rises on the borders of Johnson and Franklin counties, takes an easterly course, and unites with the North fork. The Middle fork rises on the east side of Franklin county, takes a southeasterly course, and unites with the South fork a few miles above Equality. Saline creek is navigable for steamboats to Equality, fourteen miles. Salisbury, a village just commenced in the border ot the timber of Richland creek, ten miles northwest from Springfield, in Sangamon county. Salt Creek, in Effingham county, five miles east of Ewington, and on the west side of the Fourteen Mile prairie. It is large enough for a mill stream, and enters the Little Wabash river ten or twelve miles below Ewington. Salt Creek, rises in the prairies north of Du Page, runs an easterly course and enters the Des Plaines near the Chicago Toad. The timber is good and the prairie land dry, undulating, and rich soil. The settlement contains fifteen or twenty families; the land is tolerably good, and the surface rolling. Salt Creek Settlement, on the north side of Macon county, twenty miles from Decatur, of about one hundred families, The land is good, with plenty of prairie. Salt Creek post office is in the the above settlement. Salt Prairie, in Calhoun county, lying between the bluffs and Salt Prairie slough. It is a dry, rich prairie, six miles long, and half a mile wide, densely settled with about sixty families. Fine springs break out from the foot of the bluffs, and a large saline rises at the head of the prairie, which furnishes abundant salt water for stock. Salt Prairie Slough, a small arm of the Mississippi, in Calhoun county, six miles long, near the foot of which is Gilead. It is navigable for small boats, and affords an excellent harbor. Sangamon River, a prominent branch of the Illinois, it rises in Champaign county, in the most elevated region of that portion of the state, and near the head waters of the two Vermilions and the Kaskaskia rivers. It waters Sangamon and Macon counties, and parts of Tazewell, McLean, Montgomery, Shelby, and Champaign counties. Its general course is northwesterly. Besides a number of smaller streams, noticed in their alphabetical order, as Clary's, Rock, Richland, Prairie, Spring, Lick, Sugar, Horse, and Brush creeks, on the south side, and Crane, Cantrill's, Fancy, Wolf creeks, and other streams on the north side, its three principal heads are Salt creek, North fork, and South fork. Salt creek rises in McLean county, twenty-two north, ranges four and five east, and runs a westerly course through the northwest corner of Macon into Sangamon county, where, after receiving Kickapoo and Sugar creeks, and several smaller ones, it enters the Sangamon river in the northwest part of township nineteen north, range six west. Its two principal heads are called the North fork of Salt creek, and Lake fork of Salt creek. North fork, which may be regarded as the main stream, rises in Champaign county, near the heads of the Vermilion river of the Illinois, the Vermilion of the Wabash, and the Kaskaskia, in twenty-four north, seven east, in a small lake. It runs southwesterly through Macon, then south, then west into Sangamon county, where it receives South fork and Salt creek. The South fork of Sangamon rises by several branches, in the northwestern part of Shelby, and the northeastern part of Montgomery counties, runs a southeastern course, and forms a junction with tbe North fork in sixteen north, four west, seven miles east from Springfield. Sangamon river and its branches flow through one of the richest and most delightful portions of the Great West. Complaints are made of the extent of the prairies, but this offers no serious inconvenience for the present. These prairies for many years will afford range for thousands of cattle. The general asppct of the country on the Sangamon is level, yet it is sufficiently undulating to permit the water to escape to the creeks. It will soon constitute one of the richest agricultural districts in the United States, the soil being of such a nature that immense crops can be raised with little agricultural labor. The Sangamon is navigable for steamboats of the smaller class to the junction of the North and South forks, and, with a little labor in clearing out the drift wood, each principal fork may be navigated with flat boats for a long distance. In the spring of 1832 a steamboat of the larger class arrived within five miles of Springfield, and discharged its cargo. At a small expense in clearing out the logs and cutting the stooping trees, this river would be navigable for steamboats half the year. From a bend near the mouth of Clary's creek, fifty miles above the mouth of the Sangamon, the waters find a channel through the low grounds and sloughs to the vicinity of Beardstown, so that keel-boats can pass in this direction into the Sangamon. It is thought that with small expense, a communication might be opened in this direction. The improvement of the navigation of this river by slackwater, the connection with Beardstown by a canal, and the opening a navigable water communication across the state by this route have already been suggested. Sangamon, a village and post office on the left bank ot Sangamon river, 7 miles northwest from Springfield. It has a steam saw and flour mill and 10 or 12 families. Sand Creek is a small stream in Shelby county, ten miles northeast of Shelbyville, and enters the Kaskaskia river. Sand Creek Settlement, in Shelby county, eight miles northeast of Shelbyville. The land is good, and the settlement large. Sandy, a small mill stream that rises on the west side of La Salle county, runs southwest, and enters the Illinois in Putnam county. Sandy Creek post office is in La Salle county, on section ten, township thirty north, one west. Sandy, a small mill stream in Morgan county. It rises near the South fork of the Mauvaiseterre, runs a southwesterly course past Winchester, and enters the Illinois river above Apple Creek. Sandy, an insignificant stream, and branch of Cash river, in Alexander county. The land near it is rolling surface and rather thin soil. Sand Prairie, a prairie of some extent, and a settlement of eighty or a hundred families in Tazewell county, four miles south of Pekin. A rich sandy soil. Sau-ga-nas-kee Swamp, is a sloughed tract of inundated land in Cook county, about twenty miles southwest of Chicago. After perforating through a few feet of mud, the base is found to be lime stone. The canal commissioners are authorised to cause a survey of this route from the Illinois and Michigan canal to the Calumet, for a lateral canal. Sauk village, in Rock Island county, was three miles above Rock river, and four miles east of Rock Islands. This was formerly the chief village of the Sauk nation. Here were Indian fields fenced, with poles, bark cabins, plats of blue grass pasture, and a large body of rich prairie land. The white settlement here is large, with fine farms. Savanna, a town and post office on the Mississippi, in Jo Daviess county, above the mouth of Plum creek, and a point for the central rail road from the mouth of Ohio to Galena. Scatters of Cash. This name is given by the people of Johnson county to a succession of ponds in which Cash river "scatters" itself. They are in township thirteen south, two east. Seminary Township, a settlement in the southwest corner of Fayette county, being five north and one west of the third principal meridian. It is a township of land, thirty-six miles square granted by congress to Illinois for purposes of education. It has since been relinquished to the general government, and in place thereof, an equal quantity is to be selected from unsold lands within the state. The Kaskaskia river crosses its southeastern part, and the Hurricane fork runs through it near its western boundary. It is proportioned into timber and prairie, contains much good land, and about thirty-five families. Senatchwine stream in Peoria county, rises in thirteen north, eight east, and runs a devious course, nearly parallel with the Illinois, which it enters in section eighteen, eleven north, nine east, twenty miles above Peoria. There is much good land, both timbered and prairie, on this creek, and a settlement of twenty or thirty families. It derives its name from a well known Indian chief who formerly resided at its mouth. Senex, a post office in McLean county, fifteen miles east of Bloomington, on section twenty-seven, township twenty-three north, four east. Seven Mile Creek, in Ogle county, rises near the Buffalo grove, runs an east course, and enters Rock river six miles above Dixon's ferry. The country for twenty or thirty miles above Dixon's ferry is generally prairie, interspersed with small groves of three or four hundred acres each, gently undulating, soil dry and very rich. From thence on the road to Galena the surface is hilly, and broken. Seven Mile Prairie, in White county, seven miles west of Carmi, contains a large and flourishing settlement and post office. Sexton's Creek, a small stream in Alexander county, running westward, and emptying into the Mississippi a short distance below Cape Girardeau. The bottom land is rich, but the upland near it is rolling and rather thin soil. This by mistake is called Seaton's creek, on some maps. Shannon's Store, a post office and settlement, in Randolph county, eighteen miles northeast of Kaskaskia, on the road to Vandalia. Here is a town site called Columbus. Shawneetown is the principal commercial town in the southern part of the state. It is situated on the Ohio river, about ten miles below the mouth of the Wabash, in section six, of township ten south, in range ten east of the third principal meridian, in latitude thirty-seven degrees forty minutes north. The bank of the Ohio at this place has a gradual ascent, but is subject to inundation at the extreme floods. Between the town and the bluffs the surface is still lower, and more frequently submerged. Though no considerable sickness has prevailed in this town for some years past, it cannot but be regarded as less healthy than the more elevated portions of the state. Considerable commercial business is transacted at this place, both in the wholesale and retail line. It has eight or ten stores, several groceries, two public houses, and six or seven hundred inhabitants. The land office for the district is in Shawneetown. A printing office is here which publishes a weekly paper called the "Illinois Advertiser." There is also a bank here which was chartered by the territorial legislature, and which has lately recommenced doing business, after a suspension of several years. Shelbyville, the seat of justice for Shelby county, is situated on the west bank of the Kaskaskia river, on elevated and timbered land, on section seven, eleven north, four east. It has six stores, three groceries, a brick court house, forty feet square, two stories, with a cupola and forty-five or fifty families. The country around it is excellent land, a mixture of timber and prairie, and the settlements are extensive. There is a large sulphur spring in the town. Shiloh, a settlement in St. Clair county, six miles northeast from Belleville. Here is a Methodist meeting house and camp ground. Shipley's Prairie, a small prairie in Wayne county, five miles southeast of Fairfield, and has fifteen or twenty families. Shoal Creek, a fine stream that rises in Montgomery county, runs southwesterly through Bond and Clinton, and enters the Kaskaskia river in section six, one south, four west. It is formed by the union of the East, West, and Middle forks, and might be made navigable for small craft to a considerable distance. Its branches are Beaver, East, and West forks. The timber on its banks is of various kinds, and from two to six miles in width, with prairies between each fork. The soil is second rate, and the surface in some places is rolling, in others level. Shoal Creek Bridge and post office, in Clinton county, on the Vincennes and St. Louis road, nine miles west of Carlyle. Shoal Creek Prairie, an extensive prairie lying to the west of Shoal creek, in Clinton, Bond, and Montgomery counties. Its average width is eight miles. It is slightly rolling, and contains much good land. Shoal Creek Settlement, in Clinton county, twelve miles southwest from Carlyle. Shockokon, a post office in Warren county, on section twelve, township eight north, range six east, and on the road from Commerce to Monmouth. Shont's Settlement, in Mercer county, between Edwards river and the Mississippi, and seven miles above New Boston. Timber and prairie interspersed; rich, dryland, and uneven. Shook's Settlement, in the American bottom, in Monroe county. The land around is rich prairie. Shuey's Settlement is in the eastern part of Adams county, near the heads of Bear and McKee's creeks, and the land is less rolling than other portions of the same county. Silvan Grove, a settlement and post office in Cass county, sixteen miles south-southwest from Beardstown. It is at the head of Job's creek, and both the timber and prairie are excellent land. Sidney, a town site in Champaign county, on Salt Fork of the Vermilion river, on the south side of section nine, township eighteen north, range ten west, on the northern cross rail road from Springfield by Decatur to Danville. Silver Creek rises in the northern part of Madison county, runs south into St. Clair, and enters the Kaskaskia in section twenty-eight, two south, seven west. It is about fifty miles in length, has several branches, and passes through a fertile and well populated country, diversified with timber and prairie. Its name was given from the supposed existence of Silver mines, not far from Rock Spring, where the early French explorers made considerable excavations. Sinsinaway, a stream in the northwest corner of the state. It rises in the prairies of Wisconsin territory, runs a southwest course, and enters the Mississippi six miles above Fever river, and nearly west from Galena. Timber scattering, some cedar and a few pines. Sitgreave's Settlement, in Clinton county, twelve miles south of Carlyle. Six's Prairie lies in the southern part of Schuyler county, seventeen miles west of south from Rushville, and seventeen miles northwest from Naples. It is a rich, undulating, dry tract, ten miles long, and three miles broad, and surrounded with excellent timber. The settlement commenced in 1829, and now contains seventy-five or eighty families. The post office is called Mount Sterling. Six Mile is the name of a creek, and a settlement, in Pike county. The creek heads in the interior and enters Snycartee near the county line of Calhoun. The settlement on it is large. Six Mile Prairie, in the American bottom, southwestern part of Madison county—a rich tract of alluvion, with fine farms, and surrounded with a heavy body of timber, rather unhealthy. Six Mile Prairie, in Perry county, nine miles southwest of Pinckneyville, is nine miles long and six miles wide. It is level, tolerably good soil, and settled along its eastern border. Skillet Fork, a large branch of the Little Wabash. It rises in the prairies east of Vandalia, and running a southern course, enters that river in the northern part of White county. Its banks are subject to inundation. The land adjoining it is fertile, but too level for convenience. Skillet Fork Settlement, in the northeast corner of Hamilton county. Skillet Fork, a settlement in White county, six miles northeast of Carmi, in a timbered region, between the Skillet fork and Little Wabash. Slab Point, a point of timber and a small stream in the border of Montgomery county, a few miles west of south from Macoupin point, on the road from Springfield to Edwardsville. Small Pox River, in Jo Daviess county, rises southeast of Galena, runs west, and enters the Mississippi at the mouth of Fever river, in an acute angle with that stream. It is fifteen miles long, the county on its borders very broken, has some fertile and level bottom land, and considerable timber towards its mouth. Smallsburg, a town site with mills, etc., on the Embarras, six miles below Lawrenceville. Small's Settlement, in St. Clair county, six miles southwest from Belleville. The land chiefly timbered and barrens. Smith's Lake, in the Illinois bottom, Morgan county. It is below Meredosia, and unites with the river. Smith's Settlement is near Shoal creek timber in Bond county, four miles south of Greenville. Smooth Prairie is in Madison county, in the forks of Wood river, eight miles east from Alton. It is three miles long and about two wide, level and rather wet. Snake Creek, a branch of Indian creek, in Morgan county. Snycartee, (in French, Chenail-ecarte, said to mean the "cut off," or "lost channel,") an arm of the Mississippi, in Pike county, commouly called a "slough," in the dialect of the country. It is a running water at all stages of the river, and for several months furnishes steamboat navigation to Atlas. It leaves the Mississippi in section nineteen, three south, eight west, in Adams county, enters it again in Calhoun county, section seven, eight south, four west, and runs from one to five miles from the main river. It is about fifty miles in length. The land on the island is of first rate alluvion, proportioned iuto timber and prairie, but subject to annual inundations. Snider's Settlement is on the south side of Macon county. Somonauk Creek rises in Kane county, runs a southern course, and enters Fox river in La Salle county. It is a mill stream. South America is a settlement in Gallatin county, fifteen miles southwest from Equality, and near the corner of Pope and Franklin counties. South Fork of Spoon River rises in Warren county, near the head of Ellison creek, runs a southeasterly course, and unites with the main stream in section four, township eight north, range two east. Some of the best land in the state lies on this stream. This is frequently called West Fork. South Prairie, in Morgan county, is on the south side of Walnut creek. Spanish Needle, a trifling stream in Macoupin county that enters Macoupin creek, above Dry fork. Spoon River, a large and beautiful river on the military tract. A description of its principal heads maybe seen by reference to the articles, "Forks of Spoon river" and "South fork of Spoon river," After the union of these forks, the general course of this river is south till within a few miles of its mouths when it takes a southeasterly course and eirters the Illinois in section thirty-three, four north, four east, directly opposite Havanna. This stream is navigated for several miles, and, at a trifling expense, in clearing out the trees and rafts of timber, it might be made navigable for one half of the year to the forks. Large bodies of timber of the best quality line the banks of this stream, and the soil in general is inferior to none. The main river and several of its tributaries furnish excellent mill seats. The prairies adjacent are generally undulating, dry and fertile. Above the mouth of Spoon river is a large lake on the west side of the Illinois. Spring Bay, a singular basin, about seventy-five rods in diameter, adjoining the Illinois river, in the upper part of Tazewell county. In front it opens to the river, the waters of which enter and fill it at flood stage. When low, they retire and leave the basin dry, excepting a stream made by a number of springs which burst forth from the sand ridge on three sides of it. On this ridge are signs of an old settlement or fortification, A short distance below is the mouth of Blue creek, over which is a bridge of earth. Below this is a mound, forty-five yards in circumference at the base, and twenty feet in height. It is said to have been opened, and human skeletons found twenty feet from the top. Spring Creek enters Sangamon river four miles from Springfield. The country bordering is rather level, very rich and densely populated. The timber is from two to five miles wide, and of excellent quality. Spring Creek, in Putnam county, enters the Illinois four miles below the Little Vermilion. Spring Creek, a branch of the Iroquois river, in Iroquois county, excellent timber, and level, rich prairie. Springfield one of the largest towns in Illinois, and the seat of justice of Sangamon county. It is situated on the border of a beautiful prairie on the south side of the timber of Spring creek, on sections twenty-seven and thirty-four, in township sixteen north, in range five west of the third principal meridian. This town was laid off in February, 1822, before the lands in this region were sold. At the land sales of November, 1823, the tract on which the older portion of the town is located, was purchased and duly recorded as a town. It then contained about thirty families, living in small log cabins. The surface is rather too level for a large town, into which it is destined to grow; but it is a dry and healthy loqation. Springfield has nineteen dry goods stores, one wholesale and six retail groceries, four public houses, four drug stores, one book store, two clothing stores, eleven lawyers, eighteen physicians including steam doctors, one foundry for castings, four carding machines, mechanics and trades of various descriptions, and two printing offices from which are issued weekly the "Illinois Republican," and the "Sangamon Journal." The public buildings are a court house, jail, a market house, and houses of worship for two Presbyterian churches, one Methodist, one Baptist Reformer, one Episcopalian, and one Baptist society, each of which have ministers, and respectable congregations. The first house built in Springfield was erected fifteen years since. The town has increased more than half within the last three years. It has excellent schools for both sexes, and an academy. By a recent act of the legislature Springfield is to be the permanent seat of government after 1840, and an appropriation has been made of $50,000 and commissioners appointed to build a state house. Spring Island Grove, in Sangamon county, from fourteen to twenty miles west of Springfield, on the road to Jacksonville. It lies at the head of Spring creek, and is an excellent timbered tract, surrounded with rich prairie, from six to ten miles long, and from two to three miles wide, and has a flourishing settlement. Many excellent springs are found in this tract of country. Spring Grove post office, in Warren county, seven miles north of Monmouth. Spring Point, in Jasper county, on the national road. Squaw Prairie, in Boone county, lies between the Beaver and Piskasau creeks. It is round, rich, level, and contains about ten sections of land. Starved Rock, near the foot of the rapids, and on the right bank of the Illinois, is a perpendincular mass of lime and sand stone washed by the current at its base, and elevated 150 feet. The diameter of its surface is about 100 feet, with a slope extending to the adjoining bluff from which alone it is accessible. Tradition says that after the Illinois Indians had killed Pontiac, the French governor at Detroit, the northern Indians made war upon them. A band of the Illinois, in attempting to escape, took shelter on this rock, which they soon made inaccessible to their enemies, and where they were closely besieged. They had secured provisions, but their only resource for water was by letting down vessels with bark ropes to the river. The wily besiegers contrived to come in canoes under the rock and cut off their buckets, by which means the unfortunate Illinois were starved to death. Many years after, their bones were whitening on this summit. Steam Point, a point of timber running into the prairie that adjoins Brulette's creek, in Edgar county. Steel's Mill, a post office and settlement in Randolph county sixteen miles east of Kaskaskia, on the Shawneetown road. The soil is of a middling quality. Steven's Creek rises in Macon county, and enters the North fork of Sangamon three miles below Decatur. Stephenson, the seat of justice of Rock Island county, is situated on the Mississippi opposite the lower end of Rock Island. It has twenty or thirty families and is increasing. Stillman's Run, in Ogle county, formerly called Mud Creek, a small stream that runs northwest and enters Rock river a few miles below Kishwaukee, where, on the 14th of May, 1832, a battalion of militia, consisting of about 275 men, under the command of Major Isaiah Stillman, of Fulton county, were attacked, defeated, and eleven men killed, by a portion of the Indian army under the celebrated Black Hawk. Stinking Creek, see Beaver creek. St. Marion, a town site in Ogle county, at Buffaloe grove. St. Mary's River rises in Perry county, and enters the Mississippi six miles below the mouth of the Kaskaskia. St. Mary's, a town and post office on the west side of crooked creek in Schuyler county, in four north, five west, on the mail route from Rushville to Carthage. It commenced in 1836, and has two stores, one grocery, and a dozen families. Stokes's Settlement, in the eastern part of Union county, near the head, and on the south side of Cash river, contains one hundred families. The surface of the land is rolling, and the soil good. Stone's Settlement is fifteen miles below Quincy, in three south, seven west. Stout's Groves, a settlement in McLean county, on the Mackinau, in twenty-four and twenty-five north, one west, and twelve miles northwest of Bloomington. The north part is a large and heavily timbered bottom, principally oak, with some barrens. The south part is first rate timbered land. Strawn's Settlement, in Putnam county, about twenty miles below Hennepin, was commenced in 1831. String Prairie, in Greene county, lies between Macoupin and Apple creeks, commencing four miles west of Carrollton, and extending fifteen miles east, and from half a mile to three miles in width. It is a rich, level tract, and much of it in a state of cultivation. String Town, on the Embarras, in Lawrence county, sixteen miles north of Lawrenceville, has 100 families. Stubblefield's Branch is trifling stream that rises in the northern part of Bond county, runs southwest, and enters the East fork of Shoal creek, two miles above Greenville. A considerable settlement is near it. Sugar Creek, in Sangamon county, rises in the prairies towards the southwestern part of the county, where its waters interlock with the heads of the Macoupin and Apple creeks, runs a northeasterly course, and enters the Sangamon river a short distance below the forks. Its main branch is Lick creek. The land is good, surface rather-level, and the timber of various kinds, from one to two miles in width. The settlements are large, and extend from the mouth to the head of the timber. The lands situated between Lick and Sugar creeks, are said to be of a superior quality for grazing, etc. Sugar Creek, in the northeastern part of Schuyler county. It rises in the southeast corner of McDonough county, takes a southeastern course, near the boundary line ot Fulton, and enters the Illinois above Beardstowu, on section four, two north, one east. A large body of excellent timber lies on this stream. Red and yellow ochre are found in its banks. Sugar Creek, a small stream that risea in. the interior of Edgar county, takes an eastern - course and passes through, a corner of Indiana into the Wabash. Sugar Creek, a small stream in Clark county, that passes near Palestine and enters the Wabash. Sugar Creek, in Iroquois county, a branch of the Iroquois river. There is considerable timber along its borders. Sugar Creek, a small stream rising in township four north, in range five west of the third principal meridian, and running a southerly course through the eastern borders of Madison into Clinton county, enters the Kaskaskia near the base line, in five west. It passes through a fine country of land. Sugar Creek, in McLean county, rises in twenty-four north, two east, and runs through Blooming grove in a southwestern direction. It is a good mill stream, has firm banks, and gravelly bottom. It passes across the southeast part of Tazewell into Sarigamon county, and enters Salt creek in township twenty uorth, range five west. It waters a rich body of land, and has an extensive line of settlements. Sugar Creek Settlement, in the southeastern part of Tazewell county, on Sugar creek. It has seventy or eighty families, and is increasing. Sugar Grove, in the north part of Sangamon county, twenty miles north of Springfield. It is a fine tract of timber surrounded with fertile prairie, about three miles Long, and one mile wide, with a respectable settlement. Sugar Grove, in Putnam county, in fifteen north, six east; a beautiful grove of timber with good prairie and barrens around it. Sugar River, in Winnebago county. It rises in the Wisconsin territory, runs south across the boundary line about eleven miles west of Rock river, and enters the Peek-a-ton-o-kee. The country between it and Rock river is rather swampy, with ridges of bur oak timber. Along its course the land and timber are good. Sugar Tree Grove, in Henry county, north of Edwards river, in fifteen north, three east. Timber, various; prairie, undulating and rich. Summit, a town site in Cook county, at the "Point of Oaks," on the canal, thirteen miles from Chicago. Sweets Prairie is in the south part of Morgan county, three miles west of Manchester. It is level and wet. Swett's Prairie is in Madison county, four miles northeast from Edwardsville. Swigart's Settlement, in St. Clair county, is under the bluffs seven miles east of St. Louis. Swinnington's Point, a settlement in Morgan county. Swanwick's Creek rises near the Grand Cote, and enters Beaucoup creek, in Perry county. Sycamore Creek rises in the prairies near Fox river, and enters Rock river, thirty-five miles above Dixon's ferry. It is fifty yards wide at its mouth. The Indian name is Kish-wau-kee. Table Grove is a beautiful and elevated tract of 150 or 200 acres of timber, on the west side of Fulton county, and has a delightful prospect. Tamarawa, a town site on the right-bank of the Kaskaskia river, and near the line of St. Clair and Monroe counties, and at the lower end of the Twelve Mile prairie. It is an elevated and pleasant situation. Tarapin Ridge, a settlement four miles north of Lebanon, in St. Clair county. Taylor's Creek rises in Macoupin county, and enters Macoupin creek, in Greene county. Tecumseh, a town site on the Great Wabash river, in White county, at the Little Chain, (rapids,) on high ground, and well situated for business. It is on fractional section thirty-one, township six south, eleven east. Tegarden's Mill, on Taylor's creek, in Greene county. Ten Mile Creek rises in the Great prairie near Putnam county, runs through a broken but well timbered country, and enters Peoria lake five miles above Peoria. Ten Mile Creek, in Hamilton county, is a branch of Muddy river, and runs through an undulating tract. Here is a settlement of forty or fifty families. Thorn Creek rises in three forks in the northeast part of Will county, runs north and enters the Calumet in Cook county. Thornton, a town site on Thorn creek, near the southeastern part of Cook county. Three Mile Prairie, in Washington county, has an undulating surface. It is eight miles south of Nashville. Timbered Settlement includes the northeast quarter of Wabash county, and is ten miles from Mount Carmel. It contains sixty or seventy families. The timber is excellent. Tom's Prairie, in Wayne county, is six miles northeast of Fairfield, on Elm river, and has twenty or twenty-five families. The soil is second rate. Tottens Prairie, in Fulton county, seven miles northwest of Lewistown, is from one to three miles wide and ten long. It is good land and has a large settlement. Town Fork is a branch of Troublesome creek, in McDonough county. Tremont, the seat of justice for Tazewell county, is situated in a delightful prairie, between Pleasant grove and Mackinau, on section eighteen, township twenty-four north, three west, and was laid off by a company in the spring of 1835. It now contains six stores, four groceries, two taverns, two lawyers, two physicians, two ministers, one apothecary's shop, sixty-eight buildings, and about three-hundred inhabitants. The religious denominations are Baptists, Presbyterians, Methodists, Episcopalians, and Unitarians, all of whom, at present, worship in one house. It is contemplated to erect one or more houses of worship this year. It lies in the heart of a beautiful country of prairie and timber. Trinity is on the Ohio six miles above its junction with the Mississippi, and at the mouth of Cash river, on sections one and two, seventeen south, one west. Steamboats from the Ohio and Mississippi rivers exchange cargoes here, repair, etc. It has one tavern and one store, and is inundated six feet at extreme high water. Troublesome Creek, a branch of Crooked creek, in McDonough county. Troy, a town site in Madison county, seven miles south east from Edwardsville. Troy Grove is in La Salle county, at the head of Little Vermilion, twelve miles above its mouth, through which the stage road passes from Ottawa to Dixonville and Galena. Turkey Creek enters the Illinois river, in Morgan county, between Walnut and Sandy creeks. Turkey Hill, in St. Clair county, four miles southeast of Belleville, the oldest American settlement in the county was commenced by William Scott, Samuel Shook, and Franklin Jarvis, in 1798. It is now populous, formerly this name was used to designate a large tract. Turners Prairie, in Wayne county, eight miles south of Fairfield, is from one to two miles in extent. The soil is good, and the settlement contains about twenty-five families. Turtle River rises in Wisconsin territory, and enters Rock river, forty rods below the boundary line. Twelve Mile Grove is between the Kankakee and Hickory creek, in Cook county, and contains 600 acres. Twelve Mile Prairie, in Effingham county, west of the Little Wabash, is level, and in many places wet. It extends through Effingham and Clay counties. The national road crosses it in the former, and the Vincennes in the latter county. Twelve Mile Prairie, in St. Clair county, is moderately undulating, and good soil. Indian name Tau-mar-waus. Twitchell's Mill, a post office on Big creek, Pope county. Tyrer's Creek, a branch of the Mississippi, in Adams county, rises in two south, eight west. Union Prairie, in the southeast part of Clark county, is five miles long and three broad. The settlement is large. Union Prairie, in Schuyler county, four miles west of Rushville. Union, a post office in Champaign county, twenty miles west of Danville. Union Grove, in St. Clair county, is on the borders of Looking Glass prairie and on the east side of Silver creek. The land is excellent, and the settlement extensive. It is sometimes called Padfield's Settlement. Unity, the seat of justice of Alexander county, recently located, in the corners of townships fifteen and sixteen south, in ranges one and two west of the third principal meridian. It is on the east side of Cash river. Upper Alton, a delightfully situated town, on elevated ground, two and a half miles back from the river and east from A1ton, on section seven, township five north, range nine west. The situation of the town is high and healthy. The country around was originally timbered land, and is undulating; the prevailing growth consists of oaks of various species, hickory, walnut, etc. There are eight stores, five groceries, two lawyers, five physicians, mechanics of various descriptions, a steam saw and flour mill, and about 300 families, or 1500 inhabitants. The Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians, each have houses of worship. The Baptist and Presbyterian houses are handsome stone edifices, with spires, bells, &c. and provided with ministers. There are seven or eight ministers of the gospel, residents of this place, some of whom are connected with the college and the Theological seminary;—others are agents for some of the public benevolent institutions, whose families reside here. Good morals, religious privileges, the advantages for education in the college, and in three respectable common schools, with an intelligent and agreeable society make this town a desirable residence. Upper Alton was laid off by the proprietor in 1816, and in 1821, it contained fifty or sixty families. In 1827, it had dwindled down to a few from several causes. But since the commencement of Alton, the flourishing mercantile town on the, river, it has experienced a rapid growth and will doubtless continue to advance, proportionate to the progress of the town and country around. Upper Machinau Settlements, a string of settlements towards the head of the Mackinau, in McLean county, about fourteen miles north of Bloomington. The timber is divided into several groves, and is about twenty-four miles in length from east to west, and from one to three miles in width. The old Kickapoo and Pattowatomie towns were on the north side of this timber, where the blue grass grows in wild luxuriance. Here are over 100 families, and the land is excellent. Urbanna, the seat of justice for Champaign county, named by the last legislature. Ursa, a post office in Bear creek settlement, Adams county, on section eighteen, township one north, eight west and ten miles north of Quincy. Utica, a town site in Fulton county, two and a half miles from the Illinois river, on Copperas creek. It has one steam mill, one store, one distillery and ten or twelve families. Utica, a town site and a post office on the north side of the Illinois river at the Lower rapids, on the canal line, and 10 miles below Ottawa, on section seventeen, township thirty-three north, two east. It is four miles from the termination of the canal, and has two or three stores, and families. Valentine's Settlement is in Bond county, on the west side of Shoal creek. The land is good. Vandewenter's Settlement is on the Illinois river, in the south part of Schuyler county, twenty miles from Rushville. Vancil's Settlement, in Union county, on a branch of Clear creek. The land is rolling. Van Buren, a town site on the Mississippi in Whiteside county, 42 miles above Rock Island, and 50 miles below Galena. It has two steam saw mills, a post office, (name unknown) and ten or twelve houses building. Van Buren, a post office in Big Grove, in Champaign county, four miles north of Urbanna. Vance's Settlement, in McDonough county, is in five north, two and three west, six or eight miles southwest, from Macomb, and on the waters of Crooked creek. The land is excellent. Vandalia is the present seat of government for the state, the seat of justice for Fayette county, and was laid out in 1818, by commissioners appointed for that purpose, under the authority of the state. It is situated on the west bank of the Kaskaskia river, on sections eight, nine, sixteen and seventeen, of township six north, in range one east of the third principal meridian. The site is high, undulating, and was originally a timbered tract. The streets cross at right angles and are eighty feet in width. The public square is on elevated ground. The public buildings are, a state house of brick and sufficiently commodious for legislative purposes, unfinished, a neat framed house of worship for the Presbyterian society, with a cupola and bell, a framed meeting house for the Methodist society, another small public building open for all denominations, and for schools, and other public purposes. There are in the town two printing offices that issue weekly papers, the "State Register," and the "Free Press" - four taverns, eight stores, two groceries, one clothing store, two schools, four lawyers, four physicians one steam and one water saw mill, one minister of the gospel, and about 850 inhabitants. Near the river the country generally is heavily timbered, but a few miles back are extensive prairies. The "national road" has been permanently located and partially constructed to this place. Vermilion River, of the Wabash, rises in the great prairies of Champaign and Iroquois counties and enters the Wabash in the state of Indiana. Its branches are, North, Middle and Salt forks. North fork, rises in Iroquois county, and unites with the main stream below Danville. Salt fork rises in Champaign county, near the head of the Sangamon river, runs a south course till it enters township eighteen north, in range ten east, when it makes a sudden bend and runs north of east to Danville. The Salt works are on this stream, six miles above Danville. Middle fork rises in the prairie, forty miles northwest of Danville, and enters Salt fork. The timber on these forks is from one to two miles wide and of a good quality. The adjoining prairies are dry, undulating; and rich. Vermilion (Little) rises in the south part of Vermilion county, and enters the Wabash river in Indiana. It is a mill stream, with a gravelly and rocky bottom, and has a fine body of timber on its banks. Large and flourishing settlements have been made on both sides ef the timber to its head. Vermilion River of the Illinois, rises in Livingston county, through which it passes into La Salle county, and enters the Illinois near the foot of the rapids. Towards its head the surface is tolerably level, with a rich soil, large prairies, and but small quantities of timber, Towards the Illinois its bluffs become abrupt, often 100 feet high, with rocky banks and frequent rapids and falls. It is an excellent mill stream, about fifty yards wide, and runs through extensive beds of bituminous coal. Its bluffs contain immense quarries of lime, sand and some free stone excellent for grind stones. The timber upon its banks are oaks of various kinds, walnut, ash, sugar maple, hickory, etc. Vermilionville, a town site and post office north of the Vermilion river in La Salle county, on section nine, township thirty-two north, two east. It is a pleasant situation, a thriving village, and surrounded with an excellent country. Near it on the Vermilion river, is Lowel, a manufacturing town in embryo, with abundance of water power. Great quantities of bituminous coal exist in this vicinity. Versailles, a village of twelve or fifteen families on the west side of McLean county, 20 miles northwest of Bloomington. Vienna, the county seat of Johnson county, contains twenty-five or thirty families, and three stores. It is situated on the east fork of Cash river, in sections five and six, thirteen south, three east. The main road from Golconda to Jonesboro, and Jackson, Mo., passes through this place. It is in latitude 37 deg. 25 minutes north. Village Prairie, in Edwards county, two miles north of Albion, about three miles wide. A small stream called "The Village" runs through it to the little Wabash. Vincennes Road passes from Vincennes to St. Louis, through Lawrence, Clay, Marion, Clinton, and St. Clair counties, 154 miles. A daily mail in post coaches passes this road. Vinegar Hill, in Jo Daviess county, six miles north of Galena, is a prairie country, and contains one of the richest lead mines in this region. Virginia Settlement, in McHenry county on the west side of Fox river, seven miles from it. It is on the old Indian trail from Chicago to the Wisconsin. The prairie and timber about equally interspersed, surface rolling, soil a black sandy loam and very rich. Wabash Grove, in the east part of Shelby county, is on one of the heads of the Little Wabash. The timber and prairie are excellent and the settlement is large. Wabash Point, in the southwestern part of Coles county is the principal head of the Little Wabash. The timber and adjoining prairie are good, and the settlement is large. Wabonsie, a tributary of Fox river in Kane county. It rises in a large spring, runs southwest, and enters Fox river, 8 miles below the Big Woods. It is a fine mill stream. Wait's Settlement, is in Bond county, nine miles west of Greenville and on the west side of Shoal creek. The prairie is good, and the timber abundant. Wakefield's Settlement, in the south part of Shelby county, is a fertile tract well timbered. The settlement is large. Walkers Grove, a post office in McDonough county, seven miles south of Macomb. Walnut Creek, in Morgan county, enters the Illinois above Plum creek. Walnut Creek heads in the northwestern part of Tazewell county, and enters the Mackinau in section sixteen, twenty-five north, pne west. It has a free current, gravelly bottom, and runs through rich land. Walnut, a branch of Beaucoup creek, in Perry county. Walnut Grove, a rich tract on Walnut creek, in Tazewell county, about one mile wide and nine long. Walnut Grove, a settlement in the southwest corner of Edgar county. Walnut Hill Prairie, on the line between Jefferson and Marion counties. Some parts are tolerably good, others rather flat and wet. It is four miles long, and three broad and contains seventy-five families. Walnut Hill post office is in the southwest corner of Marion county, on the road from Carlyle to Mount Vernon. Walnut Prairie, in Clark county, near the Wabash, about five miles long and two broad. It is tolerably level, has a rich sandy soil, and a fine settlement. Walnut Point post office, is in Adams county, on section thirty-two, township one north, six west, eighteen miles northeast from Quincy. Walker's Grove, on the Du Page, in Will county, forty miles from Chicago, is a beautiful tract surrounded by a rich prairie and a large settlement. It is about three miles long and one wide. Wapelo, a town site at the falls of Apple river, in Jo Daviess county. Here are a saw and grist mill, several families, stores, etc. Ward's Settlement is the oldest in Macon county, and is eight miles south of Decatur. Warrenton, a town site in Cook county on the west fork of the Du Page, four miles above Napierville. Warsaw is an important commercial position, on the Mississippi river, at the foot of the Des Moines rapids, 16 miles west-southwest from Carthage. It has a steam mill, several stores, and 200 or 300 inhabitants, and is to be the termination of the railroad from Peoria. It is near the site of old Fort Edwards. Washington, a new village in the western part of Fulton county, twenty miles from Lewistown. Washington, a town site and handsome village in Tazewell county, on section twenty-three, township twenty-six north, three west, and 14 miles north of Tremont. It is situated on the south side of Holland's grove, on the border of a delightful prairie, and contains 5 stores, 2 groceries, 4 physicians, various mechanics, a steam saw mill, and about 300 inhabitants. The post office is Holland's Grove. Washington Grove is in the interior of Ogle county, and contains two or three sections of timber, surrounded with an excellent rolling prairie. Waterloo, the seat of justice for Monroe county, is situated on high ground, in township two south, ten west. It has a court house of brick, two stores, two taverns, and about twenty families. Watt's Settlement, in Crawford county, is sixteen miles west from Palestine, and has about twenty families. Waynesville, a town in the southwest corner of McLean county, on the road from Springfield to Bloomington, and on the south side of the timber of Kickapoo creek. It has 6 stores, 2 groceries, 2 physicians, a Methodist and a Presbyterian society, a good school, and a charter for a Seminary of learning. It has a fine body of timber on the north, and a rich, undulating and beautiful prairie south. Population in the village about 150. Webb's Prairie and settlement, in Franklin county, fifteen miles east of north from Frankfort. The land is good. Weed's Settlement is on a branch of the Vermilion in Livingston county. Here is fine, rolling, rich prairie, lime and free stone, coal, and will probably be the location of the county seat. Webster, a town site in the northwest corner of Livingston county on section ten, township thirty north, three east, on the south side of the Vermilion river, surrounded with great bodies of lime and free stone, coal, and extensive tracts of rich, undulating prairie. Weigh's Settlement, in Adams county, has 600 or 700 industrious Germans, of the society of Dunkards, and is watered by the West fork of McKee's creek. West Fork of Kaskaskia River rises in Macon county, in township sixteen north,, four east, and enters the main stream, ten miles above Shelbyville. The land on its borders, in general, is excellent, and the timber good. West Fork of Muddy Settlement, in the northwestern part of Jefferson county, is a well timbered tract. West Fork of Shoal Creek rises in the north part of Montgomery county, in nine north, three west, runs south, and forms the main creek. The average width of the timber is two miles. West Grove is a body of timber on Pine creek in Ogle county. West's Settlement, in Johnson county, on the east, side of Cash river, is a fine, fertile tract, and has thirty families. Wet Grove, is a small body of timber in Ogle county near the head of Kite creeks. Whitaker's Creek, in Greene county, a branch of Apple creek on the south side. White Hall, a village and post office in Greene county, 10 miles above Carrollton, on the road to Jacksonville. It has 9 stores, 2 groceries, 2 taverns, 3 physicians, one school, and an incorporation for a Seminary, a steam mill in the vicinity, framed houses of worship for Methodists and Baptists, and 600 inhabitants. Whitley's Point is the head of Whitley's creek, in Shelby county, east of the Kaskaskia river, and fifteen miles northeast from Shelbyville. The timber and prairie are good. Whitley's Settlement, on Whitley's creek, Shelby county, fifteen miles northeast from Shelbyville is a mixture of timber and prairie. White Oak Grove, in Henry county, is a fine body of timber. Adjoining it is Andover settlement. Whiteside's Settlement, in Pope county, is twelve miles west of Golconda on Big Bay creek and the state road, and has 100 families. Whiteside's Station, in Monroe county, five miles north of Waterloo, is one of the oldest American settlements in Illinois. Wiggins's Ferry, on the Mississippi opposite St. Louis and the property adjoining, are owned by a company. Here are two good steamboats, a public house, livery stable, store, and post office. Wilcoxen's Settlement, in Fulton county—good soil. Williams's Creek rises in Hancock and enters Crooked creek in Schuyler county. Willis's Settlement, in Putnam county, five miles east of Hennepin, was begun in 1827, in a rich tract of land. Wilson's Grove is a beautiful eminence, one mile west of Jacksonville, and now called College Hill. The Illinois college stands on its eastern slope. Winchester, in Morgan county, sixteen miles southwest of Jacksonville, on section twenty-nine, township fourteen north, in range twelve west of the third principal meridian, was laid off in 1831, on elevated ground, and is a thriving village, increasing rapidly, has several stores, mechanics of various descriptions, and a population of three or four hundred. The Baptists, Methodists and Congregationalists have societies here. It has excellent lime and free stone quarries in the vicinity and several mills. Winchester, a town site on the Kankakee, 9 miles above its mouth, and containing half a dozen houses, one store, one tavern, two saw mills etc. Windsor, a town, in fifteen north, nine east on the Bureau, and on the stage road from Peoria by Princeton to Galena. It has 2 stores, 2 groceries, one tavern, one lawyer, one physician, one minister and about 100 inhabitants. A grist and saw mill are near. Winnebago Inlet, in Putnam county, passes through several ponds into the Winnebago Swamp, in Ogle county. Winnebago Swamp is in Henry and Ogle counties, thirty miles long, and from one half to three miles wide. Wolf Creek is a branch of the Sangamon river, in Sangamon county. The land is level but well settled. Wolf Creek, in Effingham, enters the Kaskaskia river. Wolf Run, in Morgan county, enters Dickerson's lake. Wood River, in Madison county, enters the Mississippi nearly opposite the mouth of the Missouri. It rises in Macoupin and runs through a fine country. Woodbury is a town site and post office on the national road, situated in Coles county, containing half a dozen families. Wood's Prairie is a small tract of good land in Wabash county, ten miles from Mount Carmel. Worcester post office is in McDonough county on the western side. Workman post office in Jersey prairie Morgan county. Wyoming, a town site and post office on the east side of Spoon river, on section two, township twelve north, six east, on the mail road from Hennepin to Knoxville. Worley's Creek, in Adams county, enters Bear creek. Yellow Banks are sand bluffs of the Mississippi, in Warren and Mercer counties, distinguished as Lower, Middle, and Upper, at the mouths of Henderson, Pope, and Edwards rivers—the first five miles long. They furnish convenient landings for steamboats. Yankee Settlement, in the southwestern part of Cook and corner of Will county, a large settlement in a rich undulating prairie, between Hickory creek, and the Sauganas-kee. Yellow Creek, in Winnebago county, enters the Peek-a-ton-o-kee near its junction with Rock river. It rises near Kellogg's Grove. York, a village in Clark county, on the Wabash, contains one steam saw and flouring mill, four stores, and about 300 inhabitants. Its exports amount to $40,000. |
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