Jasper Republican, Volume 2, Number 19, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1876 — Centennial correspondence. [ARTICLE]

Centennial correspondence.

[ ’ lxMAyarous, thorough L Btwdfoid iriv -b*» *ri«i worn Gchotothkn nt any train since his debut. Our stay at the Star city wae pleasantly passed in visiting the vary dever wholesale merchants *sd a brief call upon the vounw.anxi Jouraru. Col. DeHart says an entertainment is announced for the Benton circuit court- at Fowler, Tuesday evening, FebVWfy ’ 8 r 1876. ” Johnny JgM baa gait chewing tobacco.— G. H. (Glory Hallelujah I). r abln gentleman. If we get acquainted and find our proper social level, the trip promises to pah out splendidly. The ourest and cheapest pleasure arises from mental contact with We called on Prof. Cox., State Geologist, jiigp n lesions * He baa charge es the agricultural anFmlneral space allotted to Indiana. The hgricultural space will allow en exhibition thirty Six specimens from each county. * One block; of coal ia booked, weighing 4,800 pounds. Will that be beaten 7 Onespemmen of building stone is promised from Monroe county, weighing five tons. These large articles wilt be in the outride space, and will show the immense natural resources of the State. Mr. C. aslea Jasper county, specially, to send samples of her native grasses and bog iron ora, and to report soon all article* intended to be placed oh exhibition. We called on Prof. Smart, S. P. 1., and from him learned that our educational interests Will be practically prepresented in good working order. The centennial fever will, between now and the 10th of May when the Exposition formally opens, no doubt, be a wide spread epidemic, but we trust not dangerous to American liberty. The excursion starts *4 five p. m. of morrow, and will number at least three hundred. We go by the very popular and well managed Pan-Handle Route via. Pittsburg, and Harrisburgh to Philadelphia, thence to New York, thence to Washington, and thence home by way of Harrisburg. The Rensselaer boys attended theatre last night, at the Academy of Music. The play was a comedy entitled “The Mighty Dollar,’’and the plot was of a semi-matri-monial and matter of mbney-al political character, and was quite enjoyable. You will hear from us again anon. Simon P. Thompson, • P. 8. Johnny says hi* bump of curiosity is too much excited, and its “nixeomarouse” with him- until his eyes have seen all thu glories, &c. • z

Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 14, 1876. Westart ’in three hours. The Sentinel growls some on account of •‘dead beats”aqd cries "pass them round/’ and yet sqnds an unfledged representative with us. We will have some knights of the quill in our “press gang," among whom W. 8. Lingle, Jslsper Packaid, F. B. Thomas and others: are of our acquaintance. Their well known amiable qualities make them companionable and will add much to the enjojunent of the trip. The Hotel Bates is a well ordered “hashery,” and every effort is made to render oar stay here pleasant. We have “done” the sights in this metropolis of inland cities. The State Grange has just adjourned, and we had the pleasure of crossing palms with Bro. J. G. Culp, and of seeing Hon Geo. H. Brown dealing ont the "scads” to delegates. We hope they, not like many public servants, are content with mileage and such services as may be for the good of the order. I have met several of those who went on the tranaMiesouri trip in 1872, and we expect a better time on this our Eastern pilgrimage. All the b oys Seem happy an d send their love home. Simon f. Thompson.

Coloitnadk Hotel, Room 58, 1 Philadelphia, Jan. 17, 1876. f Dear Johnson I wrote you on the eve of our departure from Indianapolis. ■We are 265 of us by actual count—2ol of male and 64 of female persuasion. The special correspondents have a clear minority, and all would be merry and gay if the “pressmen” would not crack so many jokes at out expense. The railroad, officials nave shewn us great kindness. The Pullman company furnished two sleepers at Richmond, and we awoke in time for breakfast at Pittsburgh. The dining halls in the railroad building there are commodious, and we ate heartily of a free breakfast. From Pittsburgh, Mr. May, the ticket agent, accompanied us, and we had a splendid ride across the Keystone State. The wild mountain scenery pictured in the bright sunshine of a cloudless was novel and startling to onr boys, whose eyes were only used to level glades. ’ We had lunch at Altoona and supper at Harrisburgh. The sensation of passing through tunnels, although painful to the eyes, was thrilling, and well worth experiencing. As we passed the horseshoe bend, John, Daniel, Henry and Frank stood on the platform and took in all that startling episode of our journey. . » . We arrived here at 6 p. m. of the 15th inst. We have traveled at the rate of forty miles per hour. The Pennsylvania railroad is double track, well ballasted, and we made no stops except at Pittsburgh, Altoona ud Harrisburgh, and merely halted at Lancaster. From Harrisburg to this city we pass through a rich farming country which contrasts with the hilly, rocky barrens about Altoona. To those wishing to'visit the*Centennial, no better route can be chosen than via. Pittsburg, Altoona and Harrisburg. The Pan-Handle road cannot be excelled for speed, comfort and variety of scenery. On Saturday evening we all attended Fox’s variety theatre, The play was “Robinson Crusoe." The scenery and make up of the entertainment was credits Me. The performance was also good. Yesterday morning 1 went with W. 8. Lingle to the 8 o’cleck meeting of Moody and Sankey. Sankey is a sweet singer. His articulation is simply perfect. Mr, Moody spoke to the young converts in a practical way for an hour.— There was room, said he, for work in the churches, Sunday schools, and Christirn associations for all truly converted souls. He spoke of the good work done by th® strangers’ meetings in Chicago and elsewhere. When does a human heart feel so lonely as when in a large city, jostled about by thousands of strangers showing no sympathy by their presence? The sermon was a simple and grandly true portraiture of Christian work. There is too much longing to find oat whether we will be acquainted in Heaven, and neg&ct to know each other here..— The audience was the largest I ever saw.— The room will seat 10,200 people comfortably, and many were turned awaj for want of room. I naturally expected to find somewhnt of stage acting in Moody and Sankey. There is none of it. The music is unaffected heart melody, and stirs up the holy passions to deeds of love. The talking is so plain, modest, yet so distinct, and the modulation so good, that each of the ten thousand hearers must say: <<Th»t is meant for me. It is 1 who need more charity and faith.’’ This letter is new too long, and will close with the events up to Sunday noon. Weareaß well. I hope all my friends may bo curtail expenses, by abjuring prodigal habits—if they have any—as to be able to visit this city of Brotherly Love in her Centennial array during the Great International Exposition. Yours very truly, Simon P. Thompson.