The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-26
Interesting from the West.
UNION. FRANKLIN Co. Mo. Dec. Q

Run through Eris-Ths Secret Springs of the
MISUNDERSTANDING Newspaper Writer
Disappointment of the Ihief-An Accident
a Ride Past Lake Michigan-Train on Fire
The Pacific Railroad Ont Wsst-Opuatisns and
Epeculations-P Population, Productions and Pre-
gress.
In three travelling days have been transported
from the foot Of Duane street, New York, to the
wilds Of Missouri; and here l am, after ride of
forty miles the Pacific railroad, to Franklin west
Of the Mississippi and twenty miles in q fourh0rse
Trey built post coach, with fifteen passengers.
Some incidents and observations in my route may be
worthy of note. II you consider them so, you can
give them to your readers.
First took my tickets, via Hornellsville and Buf.
falo, to Cleveland instead Of the Hudson river road
and thus missed the train ct Buffalo, aud had to
wait nine hours for the next train. This took me
through the "seat Of war; at Erie in the night, and
consequently we escaped the pickaxes and hand
saws Of the valiant and heroic sons Of Erie, the de-
tenders of that important corporation and its char
tered rights. word en- PEASANT about this matter.
Madame Rumor, with her thousand tongues, says
that the capitalists of Philadelphia pat the Erians on
the back, and encourage them to resist
to the death the taking up of the wide track,
and putting down the narrow gauge, on the dds
puted territory" And they will make large
subscriptions to the Supbury road. This appears to
be the great secret of their determined resistance
Such narrow minded policy On the part of Erie
and Philadelphia can only result in their final dis
comGtuIe and pecuniary injury. As well might they
attempt to turn the current of the mighty Mississippi
back towards the Lake Of the Woods as to diver
the travel and trade between these great Western
valleys and the seaboard from their natural and lie
gitimate channels. They may retard them by heap
ing up distractions and throwing obstacles in the
way; but the immense accumulation, gathering and
rushing on, will break way all such sandy barriers
with the resistless force of an avalanche and cut
Deep broad, and permanent channel, in an "air ne'
direction to the broadcast bays and deepest CULTS Of
commerce; and the great central track should be
twelve foot gauge, with cars that can carry hun
dred tons. Each great mart on the Atlantic sea
board will receive its due and lie Ultimate share of the
trade Of the Ohio and Mississippi valleys. And there
is, and will be, enough for ali and to spare. No mar
row minded, sectional selfish policy in the projection
and construction of railroads. into and through these
broad and fertile valleys, whose agricultural and
mineral resources are ineXhaustibe, will ever be
tolerated or sustained by the people. What they
want, and what they appear determined to have, is
the most direct routes TO the best markets. shall
have more to say on this subject when l come to
speak of the Pacific road.
AT Cleveisnd mao my vallse stolen from the plat
form at the depot. The next day it was found in an
old abandoned building, broken open and rifed of
part Of its contents; but the thief who had gener
ously leff my papers, linen, and other garments,
| BOT arrested. his object was evidently money, but
not finding that he contented himself by taking s1ch
small articles he could put in his pc kets just to
pay him for the trouble and risk (Which was not
great) OF stealing and carrying it Off Mem.-The
police at the Cleveland depot must be more vigiant
After detention of day from this episode left
at three o'clock, z. M. in the lightning express"
for Toledo and Chicago. At Elkhart, Mich, three
tive and tender of the track, and we're detained
an hour or more, which must be made up
by last running, or we would miss the
morning train, at Chicago, for St. Louis.
Thus we were careering along the southern shore of
bake Michigan at sunrise, at the rate of forty miles
an hour. A fresh breeze from the northwest vas
blowing over the broad waters, and the waves were
dancing in very glee and sportiveness, while toe
white caps sparkled in the bright sunlight, as the
bosom Of the waters, thus agfa,ed, heaved aud uu.
dulated, and broke at The crest OF eaca wave, and
finally dashed aud leaped ia foam and spray on the
sandy heac'. The early morning had beeu foggy
but the breath OF Boreas ne awoke from his slum
bers, bad SWEPT it away from the face of the Deep
and j. had gathered into q thick heavy bank on the
eastern borders OF the lake, VT ere the rising had
pressed II down so closely to the surface that 1t
sembled hinge black coud resting the water, and
casting deep shadow beyond its western bound ary
while TIA upper surface, rejecting the rays of the
| with snow.
When within some ten or fifteen miles Of Chicago
the alarm OF fire was given, and the train was stop
ped. The car that contained the baggage Of the
passengers, and the great Eastern mails, from Bos
instant was in flames l. was Immediately
detached from the train, and every effort
passengers to save what they could; but the wind
was blowing fresh, and the fiery element was riot
ing in its work of destruction. Three trunks and
three or four mail bags were all that we're saved.
HERALIs by the thousand, Trlbnncs by the hun.
dIed and many other papers by Scores were soon
placed beyond mortal eyes TO read. Much valuable
time may thus have been saved to the subscribers of
some OF shese papers, while many more may have
been deprived of valuable information and ntellec-
tual repast by this conflagration. The balance of
my wardrobe papers, and vase, saved from the
thieves at Cleveland, were burned and a. Chicago
went through SENATORIAL operation, at the expense
OF the railroad company will here say word in
commentator OF Captain Gray, the gentlemantly
paymaster of the company at Chicago He WAS
active and vgilant in ascertainng the losses of the
passengers, and cheerfully and promptly paid all
whose claims were presented in tangible and rea-
sonable form, without quibbiDg or pickering. This
liberal policy reflects great credit on the company.
The remnant OF the mails were overhauled by the
agents OF the department at Chicago, and all letters
and documents that could be deciphered were put in
envelopes aud for sarded to their respective des
| tinstioDs. Delinquent debtors lukewarmfsends and
taIdy, waveIiDg, or taitbless lovers, have here an
admirable excuse for their apparent (?) neglect
Their crafts their replies, their Inconsistencies or
excuses we're burned in the Are near Chicago.
All railroad companies should be compelled BY
law to furnish freproof TO carry the mails and
baggage. From Chicago to st. Louis eighteen
booIs) "all went merry as a marriage bell"
THIS Pacific Railroad question is creating good
deal OF discussion and excitement in st. Louis, and
through The country along the route. The Pacific
Company, OF Missouri, have undertaken to build the
roa0 TO the western boundary Of the State or near
the mouth OF the Kansas river distance Of near
four hundred miles Toe stock is all taken, and
tblrfythIee and one third per cent paid in large
APPROPRIATION Of lands was also made by govern.
uent in aid of the work and the State leans is ere
dit TO The company for the same object. Forty miles
! OF the rosd is completed and ia operation, and q
hundred more nnder contract aud in RI Did progress
nd the entire route viii he completed at an ear
day. ibis IL the beginning of the great
central and most direct route to the Pacific The
lracticabHlty OF constructing a rnal on this entire
rontt hos been demonstrsted-first by Col Fremont.
ana re emily by Lieuts. Bealle aud Harp. The indie
fatigahe Fremont il again on the route with n