Democratic Sentinel, Volume 3, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 15 August 1879 — THE EXCURSIONISTS. [ARTICLE]

THE EXCURSIONISTS.

Monday, August 11,1879. Editor Democratic Sentinel:— Wo loft home at 11:15 A, M. in compar.y with Will. Austin, representative of the Rensselaer, Standard; ( hanged cars fiom our easy-going Narrow Gauge to those of the L., N. A. & C. Railroad, bound for Lafayette. While on board this train we encountered our old time fricn, Harry Owens, of Montioello, in company with his young bride—of probably six hours standing—eh route for Kentucky, on their bridal to tr. Harry looked immensely happy, and his genial smile extended over more territory thuii usual. Ah! that was a very broad smile. We arrived in Lafayette at ‘2:15 P. M., and at 9:00 P. M. we were joined by Mr. and Mrs. Hovver, Mr. and Mrs. Dr. Lovett, Mr. and Mrs. Weir and Mr. and Mrs. Streight. Our first objective point was the Court House square, where was witnessed one “heat” of Mr. Lake, who is undergoing much physical exertion gaining a wide reputation, soiue newspaper encomiums and SSOO cash—if he wins—for the wonderful feat of walking 500 miles in 500 consecutive hours. He is a musoulai, brawny man, but his appearance is very much dejected owing to the loss of sleep. Wo left Lafayette at 10; 15 A. M., our party numbering about 250 persons. When we arrived at Dan ville twenty minutes were allowed for dinner, and almost everyone on board partook of a free lunch, which was either provided before we left home or bought ut the restaurant be'ore starting, in the morning. In Springfield, tiie home of our loved aim martyred President, we did net tarry long enough to view his last resting place. In the beuutiful city of Jacksonville, Illinois, we stopped for supper. From Jacksonville to Quincy we traveled on the Toledo, Wabash and Western Railway. Quincy is a very beautiful city, situated on the Mississippi River. We arrived here about 12:00 M.,and the moon shining upon the clear sparkling water presented a sight bewilderiugly lovely. At 5 o’clock Friday morning we awoke and found ourselves traveling through Southern Missouri, one of the grandly beautiful countries which present scenery to enrapture an artist—one grand panorama of beautiful hills and dales us far as the eye Can reach; just enough timber to prevent monotony. The grass is tall and waving, and far away in the distance you can see the bright green corn waving in the morning breeze The land is very diversified. At one moment we ascend a Hill which, to onr unsophisticated eyes, seems almost a mountain. The next we descend on the other aide and if the thing were possible I would say that the scenery in the dale was even yet. more beautiful than that upon the hill-tops.

When nearing Cameron Junction, where sixty members of our party were enabled to procure breakfast, the subject of politics was broached, ami the controversy waxing warm a vote was taken through the entire crowd, which resulted as follows: For President, Sherman received 56votes; Grant, 48; Blaine, 10; Roscoe Conkling, 1; Washburn, 4; Garfield, 4; Hayes, 4; Bayard, 1; Hendricks, 82; Tilden, 10; David Davis, 2; Jeff. Davis, 2; Butler, 5; Cooper, 1; Kelley, 1; “Blue Jeans,'' 1; Dick Thompson, 3; Evarts, 1; B. Grntz Brown, 1. The party came this far with no serious trouble, save that of Mr. Hall, of Cambridge City, who was robbed of $75 at Union Depot, Indianapolis. The entire party lent a helping hand and donated to him a sum almost equivolent to that which he lost.

On nearing Kansas City wo crossed the Missouri River, upon whose broad and muddy surface we could see a steamboat ploughing its way through the foamy water*. We arrived here about noon and took dinner. After this natural—and, in these places where you get food illy prepared obnoxious duty was performed, we entered a street car and were driven up into the centlal part of the city where wo spent' an hour or- so in sight-seeing. The main part of the city is probably on an elevation of 200 or 300 feet above the level of the depots and the dusty, filthy part of the city. The walls of the city are alm< st perpendicular—are solid rock, and for long distances cut to resemble brick work. *Tho effect is very pretty, giving one the impression that it is a rock-bound city. The inhabitants number about 50,000. The houses are of magnificent structure, and the cost of the depot, and grounds belonging therounto is estimated at $2,500,000. There are very many ex pensive and beautiful dwellings under process of construction, and I feel perfectly safe in saying that I never during my very (?) eventful existence, saw a city more bustling and business like. In confirmation of this statement, I will say that there are not less tliau 1,500 saloons, and every saloon-keeper, judging by the appearance of t:ie citizens, and, judging by the smell of the breath of the citizens, realizes his highest anticipations in regard to the sale of his “wares”—for I think that among the male population of this famous eify of Missouri there are more Hqv.o. s

drank than water, coffee, tea and milk combined. Across the river from Kansas City is a smaller city called Wyandotte, numbering aLout 5,000 inhabitants. To a stranger the buildings present an unbroken ap pearanee, and Kansas City .nd Wyandotte look as but one city of grand buildings.

Owing to some misunderstanding on the part of the railroad managers, we were prevented from proceeding immediately on to Colorado, and Mr. Ainsworth concluded te send us over the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, to whose managers are due our earnest thanks for courtesies extended—to Fort Scott and Baxter Springs through the eastern part of Kansas.

Saturday morning found us halted at Baxter Springs, in the extreme southeastern part of Kansas. This town atone time promised to become a place of much note. The general government donated it 80,000 acres of land; a $30,000 court house was built, and many elegant briek churches and business houses begun, but abandoned, as the lead mines were discovered near here, and many of the inhabitants moved to points nearer the mines. The population of the Springs at its most prosperous time numbered 1,200, while it is now reduced to 500. Saturday morning we again started to Fort Scott and arrived there about 10 o’clock. To the citizens of this growing little city of the far west are due our warmest thanks for unparalleled kindness shown us during our two hours’ stay there. After breakfast carriages, with or without drivers, were placed at our disposal, free of charge, and we were driven over the attractive parts of the city, after which there was a lively, wideawake reception at the opera house, where we were entertained for about an hour by short pointed speeches from General Blair, member of the Legislature and exGeneral of the army, Colonel Robinson, George A. Crawford, Dr. Ritter and Mrs. Helen Gougar, of Lafayette. We formed some very pleasant acquaintances among whom were Mr. und Mr . EJliott. KiDdaess was shown to our party by said friends rhat will be long remembered. We now returned to Kansas City, where we were compelled to remain till Sunday at 3 o’clock P. M. Mr Ainswoith returnee from Topeka, where he went on Friday, to negotiate witli the managers of the road over which we were to pass at 10 o’clock A. M., and informed us of the proposition, which was the best thing lie was enabled to offer us on our projected trip, and that was that each member of the party that went on was to pay $12.65 above that which had been counted upon. Those who were unwilling to pay the extra charge, if a sufficient party of them could be made up, were to be sent up through Hastings, Nebraska, and St. Louis Missouri, and on home. After much wrangling, all of the party save thirteen, concluded to pay up like “little men;” the remainder of the party went home. We left Kansas City at 3:00 P. M., and Monday, 10:00 A. M. found us 315 miles on the Kansas, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad at a dead halt. In turning a curve the engineer saw a hand-car on the track but not in time to stop or even to slacken the speed to any very great degree. Result, one long iron bar was pushed entirely through the huge engine, completely destroying it lor all present puiposes; the water seething, boiling hot, pouring out in a stream six inches in diameter. We are very thankful for the miraculous escape of the two men who were on the cowcatcher, and, indeed, for the escape of the entire party in this our first uccident. After a delay of about two hours another engine was procured, and we again find ourselves bounding away westward over the boundless prairies.

LIZZIE A. PRICE.