Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1848-06-08
Home Again.

Home Again.
We made flying visit last week to our neighbor-
ing state of Indiana, and have returned highly pleased
with the excursion. But few years since, trip
from this city to indianapolis was regarded as al I'M
pleasant affair, IN the best of seasons and thing
To be avoided, by all possible MEANS in bad weather
and roads. Now IT is mere pleasant iaunt, accom-
plished in twenty-four hours, and most agreeable
one at that.
We left home at ii O'Clock Wednesday morning,
on the fine steamer Fashion, and at P. Nj. were
landed at the city Of Madison-a finely located flour
shng and beautiful place. The streets are wide,
clean, and except slight curve, following the
Of the river, regular. The private residences are in
fine taste surrounded by abundance of shrubbery,
and presenting all the appearances of comfort. The
population, understand, numbers about S,000 aud
bears high reputation for industry and moral worth
We attest that the virtues of Kindness aud hospi
tally have abiding place there. In the business
portions of the city there is for improvement;
but that will follow the spirit of enterprise that has
already built up such city in the immediate vicinity
of Cincinnati.
We left there on the foollwng morning, by the rail
road, for dianapos-distant, S3 miles. That
which first presents itself the eye of the traveller
matter of curiosity and wonder is the plane by
which the ascend the hill back of the city, and
the "deep dggings,' as they termed through the
solid rock. One scarcely knows which most to mar
vel at,-the stupendous achievement itself, or the
folly of the undertaking, by which than half
million of public money was squandered, when for
one fourth the sum better route could have ieen OBJ
| tanned, up neighborng ravine. We saw upon it
the machinery of a and ingenious invention for
ascending the plane with an engine of peculiar
sructon, got up by mechanic in the employ of the
company, of which we may speak hereafter. Even if
it prove successful, understand the company has
it in contemplation to change the route better
grade survey of which has recently been completed.
From the top of the hill the road runs in nearly
4 Ind Nc h,l III
in disparagement of this road, that were prepared
for most uncomfortable rde,-but were very agree
ably disappointed. 1t is in its present state,
superior TO our Little Miami road. The first % miles
is laid with the heavy rail, and Is in good condition.
The next IL miles is thin bar, and somewhat rough;
though il is kept in as good order practicable.
This will be laid with the heavy rail by the first Of
November next, the iron having been already purchas
ed. The balance of the road is heavy flat bar,
which answers excellent purpose. and which
fine speed is made with comfort to the traveller. The
cars-manufactured by KECK and DAVENPORT of this
city-are fine as we have found on any road The
officers all prompt and attentive to their duties,
and consult the comfort of those who for the time are
under their charge. Without desiring to distinguish
among them, this commentator will embrace the
active, efficient, and genemanly superintendent Mr..
I HALL.
a fine country, that will become highly prosper
Gus, under cultivation indianapolis is reached in
time for dinner;- and n beautiful city it is. We
little disappointed in the matter of its size,-
the population being only about 5000; but it is evil
IDENTIFY prosperous and with the exception of its cir
Gle, and diagonal streets, its improvements, mark
ed by exceeding good taste. Our stay, though brief,
was very pleasant; and we formed acquaintance that
we shall long remember with pleasure, and received
attentions that have laid under many obligations.
Among other matters, we found moment of time
! to visit CHAPMAN and his ROOSTER; the one
ceedngly clever fellow, and the other queer bird.
CHAPMAN readers have heard of, and know very
well the bird he must describe,-we cannot do it.
His training is very fine; and he CROWS in most nd-s
mirable voice and manner whenever directed to do
He will have abundance of this labor to perform
from August to November.
Leaving Indianapolis, its fine scenery, and hospta-
bic citizens on Friday morning, we reachad Madison
at half past O'clock five boarded that prince
of packets, the Pike No. T. and awoke yesterday
ming at our city wharf; having, in hasy our tour, min
gled pleasure with business than upon any for
mer occasion. We also acquired much information
in regard TO sister state, and especially her public
improvements and future prospects, by which we have
been alike instructed and gratifed. If space and
leisure hereafter, shall recur this SUBJ
/ ject.- Cincinnati Enquirer.
4 AWFUL AND BLOODY TRAGEDY "A ,choIe family
butchered. The Bath (Me) Times, Of the 10Th,
gives the particulars of a most unnatural and shock
ing affair which occurred on Thursday previous, in
man named Pinkham about 45 years of age, by
occupation ship carpenter, with sharp axe COM
pletey decnpitated his wife and four children the
oldest child about twelve years of age, leaving the
heads hanging to the bodies only by small portion
of the neck, and then cut his throat effec-
tually with razor. The father and two sons were
in bed in one room, and the mother and two daugh-
tets the situation in another room. The
awful deed was not discovered until some time
Friday, when the mother of the man, having occasion
to visit the house, found the inmates in the horrible
situation described; not soul being left to tell the
tale of blood But the manged victims OF fathers
madness, the fatal axe, the marks of blood upon the
oor the fathers throat and open disclosed an
awful tale; while paper, found on the premises, IN
the joint hand writing of the parents revealed
diton Of mind which shows how fearfully appalling
are the fruits of religious error The Times says
1t appears that Mr. and Mrs. Pinckham had been
victims of the Miller deuson; but the full force Of
its crushing influence upon their spirits not to
have been suspected by others. The paper to which
we have referred, an exact copy of which was seen
by our informant, contained statement in the hand
writing of Mrs. p, followed by another by her hus-
band, setting forth that they had become tired of life
that there nothing in prospect for them worth
living for, and that they had mutually agreed upon
the destruction of themselves and children; requesting
that their bodies might be deposited in stone tomb.
The wife when found in bed partially undressed,
the eyes as open though awake at the moment of
decapitntion The children also in bed, proba-
bly, sleeping, Unconscious of any danger.
/ The LEoNIDAs LETTER.-The federal press has
pretty generally impeached the testimony of Major
1 Burns avowing himself the author of the "Leondas
Letter." Charged upon Gen. Pillow, by Gen. Scot)
because they say, few years since, he held the loD
office of sweeper in the capital Of Mississippi.
| Well, that is conclusive! How dare an humble
"s,ceep" although his merits have promoted him to
a high poson) write letters about brave man, his
friend! And (impudence profoundly how dare he
avow the fact right in the face Of "oa Fuss and ea-
Tiers" himself Ohio Eagle.