Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-10-17
From The Montgomery Phenir.
TOUR OF THE UPPER LAKES.
l..

mr.. Extraordinarily, August 18th,
bidding my family and friends adeu. left
this place on board the cars, bound for the
"Far West," Of which so much is, .ssaid
and sung" Passing through Utica,
Syracuse, Auburn, Geneva, Canandaigua
and Rochester, reached Buffalo about 4
o'clock Tuesday afternoon.
"Ihen we are in Buffalo at last" said
fellow passenger. "Ishoud Judge So
said l-"Listen." The cars had halted
within high, narrow enclosure composed
OF rough boards-being Il sort Of substi-
tute for depot-and astride Of the top Of
this, or hanging upon their chins, or peeping
in at the entrance-the whole scene re-
minding one Of Bedlam-were men and
boys crying out at the top Of their voices,
"Any baggage for Huff's Hotelr' "Omni-
bus here from the American-carry pas
sengers and their baggage free of charged
"Eentlemen, pass your baggage for The
Eagle.'' "The Temperance House-anv
passengers for the Temperance House. .
baggage for Bagg's Hotel. and so on
to the end of very long chapter. We
were glad to shelter ourselves from this
din ard confusion in the carriage nearest
at hand, and were driven to Huff's Hotel.
were we found very comfortable quarters.
Buffalo, Tor its commercial advantages
and its enterprise, has been very Justly
styled the "Queen city Of the West. p
Situated upon the outlet of those vast in
land seas which stretch far north for near
two thousand miles-thc point at which
the vast tide of emigration gathers, as it
were for mighty fow-its shipping bear
ing to It's wharves the produce and wealth
OF The westermost portions Of our extend
ed terrltory-ts proud steamers arriving
and departing daily with their living freight
from and to distant ports and cities on the
western boundaries Of the great lakes; its
busy population engaged in the traffic of
many cimes, and the din Of whose busi-
ness goes up like the sound of many waters
The number and spendoI Of its public
buildings, and its mercantile establishments
all, alt go to render Buffalo worth IFS
Prouc tliIe' and stamp il as place Of the
first importance in the Empire State.
10 many the arrival and departure Of a
Steam Boat is of almost infinite moment.
Ere the first "note of preparation" had
been sounded on 'board the Illinois, hun
dreds had gathered on the wharr-not all
oil them idle spectators those whom
me love OF gain, or stern necessity had
brought to the spot. Here, near the bow
OF the boat, was hand carriage, IN which
was displayed to the best advantage, brass
and silver wares in the shape Of safety
chains, breasi-pins, fngerrings. &c. &c.
while the question was being continually
asked, g want to buy any jew'lryp 4
short distance from this carriage was ano-
Their, similar in construction, containing
"iancy articles" pocket-books. musical
instruments such as fddles and iewshaps;
while pushing about amongt the crowd were
numerous ragged urchns crying. "Two
apples for a penny" or Graham
Magazine, Evening Post and Benefits
Herald" All had their customers, and
after disposing of Il trine, joined again in
the everlasting din.
The band now assembled the deck and |
commenced playing a national air. Car
riagcs came rolling up from the various
hotels with passengers for the Illinois,
Trunks, valiscs, and bandboxes were thrown
in at the gang way pcll nell. Men ios,led
against each other in their haste Hus-
bands and wives were separated in the
glorious confusion that prevailed. And
while hurled adieus were being spoken,
and kind looks exchanged, aud parting
hands given, and sweet words uttered on
board and on shore, the command was
given TO ''cast off, and amid the scram-
bling of newsboy and candy-pcdlars, the
crying of children, the hoarse, hollow rum
bling of machinery, the cackling of hens
and the squealing Of pigs with steamers
flying, and men cheering and the band
playing the Emigrant's Farewell, we took
our departure for thc Prairie land at IL
O'Clock, the l6 day Of August
As soon as the excitement had subsidized
somewhat, and order began to reign. we
found We had as pleasant and agreeable Il
company rs we could wish. CT clergy
men there were SIX or seven; and laying
our several hcresies aside. we enjoyed our
selves alike with others in friendly con-
verse. The only exciting topic INTRODUCE
ed was that Of slavery, bet ere the debate
"ran high" we were told we were near
the place where the Erie was burned
This at once directed our thoughts and re-
Elections into another channel, and a sad
ness came over the spirits Of US all. Per-
haps at the very spot we were passing
over, the gifted and the fair went down in
their winding sheet of flame---perhaps here
the strong man and the helpless female,
sent one cry to God, and persisted! And
ere the morrow's sun should rise we might
sleep as lowly as they, having struggled
with the same destroyer and met the same
faiel When we laid our heads upon the
pillow a; night, i, was with the prayer
that we might be preserved from SO fearful
doom.
Yes, ii 'ras fearful doom! When no
suspicious Of danger or disaster were Turk
ing in any bosom, and the proud steamer
was urging its way toward the Prairie
Iand,a light explosion was heard, and in a
moment the tai and writing flames CLEAN.
cd out upon the waters, and flashed fright
fully inlhelaces ofthe sleeping and waking.
The raPidlty with which they dashed over
the deck, and through the gangways
batiled all attempts to exinguish them, or
to furnish the means Of self-preservation.
o, who may tell he feelings cf agony and
/ despair that rent the bosom tbeni Who