The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1852-10-12
Twenty Years Ago.


Mrs. r. d. Gagc, a lady of some publicity
as writcr. thus gives lively description Of
hes going from Cleveland to GAINESVILLE twenty
years ago, and one she recently made to tho
State fair now holding hero. 's =
Twonty-one years ago, / landed on the
shores of Cleveland from the good steamship
Ohio and took canal boat for GAINESVILLE: wo
passed through tho town, a fow houses, few
dirty, dingy looking groceries along the bank,
a few idle, loafer looking men, &c, is all re-
member of Cleveland. Slowly, woarily. our
uncomfortable craft cropt along-poor old.
jaded, gallod and wind-broken horses toiled
piteously: ragged out of tho elbows, swearing
and drinking drivers, sr =.
"Whosc's shoes wen creeping up their heels.
To meet their pantaloonses," -
whipped and jerkod, kicked and cursed those
poor old horses along, at the rate of threo
miles an hour, and now and then came a stand
still, and we waited hours-wondering whom
they would start again-Fathers grow cross
and scolded, mothers wept and fretted, children
quarreled the babies cried. One day a beau
tiful span of groys were brought, out and
hitched to tho tow rope--oh! how we joyed,
how wo should get along-off went the. driver
full speod: what has caused this great cofnmo-
ton: All! there it was; rival boat behind, and
now commenced q race; the boat behind gained
on us: tho men grew excited, drank made bets
urged on tho drivers tho boat came up, tried to
pass, ran against us, jerked ono of their hor-
ses into the canal; tho men foamed with rage.
now horses were found for the boat behind, but
alas! for our painting stoeds, on, on they drove
them, till they could go no more, and ono OF
the noblest and froest of the two, fell upon the
tow-path, and breathed his last
"Pll starred the day IS -'r,
Tint cost thy life CaIl0nt 0ray."
As the rival boat passed us shouting "vior
tory" our driver incensed to madness with
whiskey and defeat fell upon his victim, and
terrible fight ensued. The women shrieked,
tho chldron screamed, the men---, but we
will pass over seven long sunny days-seven
short tedious sleepless nights-eat up by mus
quitoes, bed bugs and feas; while going from
Cleveland to GAINESVILLE. There we hired
farmers two horse cart, and placing in it an
splint bottom chair or two, we made our way
on tho eighth day to McConnorsville. That
was the past.
Yesterday at ono p. M. stepped on board
the beautiful steamer Dan Convers, at McCOn-
nols'vile seated myself in mahogany cush-
ionod rocking chair-took out my newspaper,
and amid tho luxuries of gilt mirrors, damask
curtains silk tassels, marble topped tables, sill
vor plated pitchers, drinking cups and waitersi
ice water, boquets of flowers SO. Four hours
took us to GAINESVILLE. and crimson cushioned
omnibus took us to tho Winslow House, whore
fwish all the good folks would 60, whom they
loave horc. After q fino supper. and good
nights rest, and broakfas: corresponding, we
were taken with oil duo attention to the cars,
seated on finely cushioned ottomans,--nod to
twenty acquaintances kiss our lady friends.
shake hands with tho gentlemen, talk about
tho "coming campaign" buy three fine apples
for two cents eat ono give two away; 60 TO sleep
Bridal Chamber of tho American. thankful
and happy, verify believe that Ohio is tho best
State in tho Union, that our steamboats, and
railroads with their officers. need not any bet
tor, und their mothers must have been excellent
good women, and that we are the public's
Humble Sorvent.