5 September 1871

We stayed a day at Chicago to get rest and clean up and see the place. The Therman House is a very good establishment and on a very large scale. The trade in wood, grain and cattle for the Western States is as you are aware enormous and Vessels can load at the Wharves and passing thro’ the Lakes and canals to the St. Lawrence, can sail direct to any part of the world. page 10 Strange to say many large buildings are built principally of iron; but wood is turned out in all shapes for houses, and on a large scale so that they may be shipped to any port ready-made, and certainly on our route, these wood erections form the principal stores and houses of all people in New Settlements. Here I met Mr Maxwell Secretary to the Iron Ore Company, who had been to Denver City, called Central City, and reports on some excellent mines rich in lead and silver.