Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-05-02
WESTERN STEAMBOATS,, &c.

n lew weeks since, pressing business called us
to the Great West. the gigantic backbone of our
wIde-extended and glorious confcderacy. Eleven
years had passed since, as resident of the West,
we had stood unon the banks of the beautiful Ohio,
and the gloomy, wild and tempestuouS Mississippi.
The intervening period, SO short in the history of
some old countries, has developed the most mar
VelouS results in the destiny of the growing and
boundleSS West. Towns which we left in their
infant cradles, have, like young Hercules, burst
their Swaddlng bands, and Stepped forth youth Gul
giants in the march of population and power
The hand of manifest destiny in the West, is
clearly seen in the active movements on her rivers
and her rail roads, and in the extraordinary mater-
al wealth which she is daily contributing to the
common treasury of the nation.
But we sat down, not to moralize upon the "rise
OF nationS, or of grand sections, but TO chronicle
a few facts which may be of practical benefit to
some of our readers. We know that, when we
sci out on journey, we feel grateful for any in
formation which conduce to happy results, and
with this view undertake 10 jot down a few
notes OF travel,'' for which we should have
thanked any friend. From Washington city TO
Wheeling, (402 mies,) the journey is now made
in about 20 hours, over fine railroad, which
passes through as beautiful country and as mag
nihcent scenery as the Union contains We have
previously referred TO 1t III noting the opening ex-
cuTSion to Wheeling, but we never before saw it
10 such advantage. This road is a triumph OF
American genius, overcoming, as il does, the
hitherto regarded impossible barriers of nature.
The wild and awful chaSmS of Cheat River
NTeuuGIeu SIlIl awful by fearful accident
that occurred soon after we passed. in consequence
of sheer neghgence,) the gloomy glades of the
AtieghanleS Chilling the traveller with the exhala-
IatonS OF their deep SHOWS, the smiling and teem-
ing valleS on each side of the lowning mountains,
the fouriShing towns and workshops which have
sprung up by magic and lined the road, the virgin
forests which the hand of industry is now rapidly
bringing down for the production of agricultural
fruits, the mountains OF coal furnishing profuSeSt
treasures, all go TO make this one of the grandeSt
and most interesting routes that of AS
EiTgInianS, We were especially pleased TO see the
marked influence cNerted by this great line of in
tercommu nicatlon upon many of the richest coun-
ties oil our State, hitherto yalueleSS because shut
up in their mountains and excluded from market.
The river travel, from Wheeling TO Cincinnati
(39l2 mileS) is accomplished in "a hours, and from
Cincinnati to LouiSv.l lie (l42 miles, in l23 hours.
And here refer with especial pleasure to the
noble 'Union line of Steamers from Wheeling
To Louisville, in daily connection with the BaIt-
more and Ohio Railroad. We can never forget
the kindness we experienced, or the comforts we
enjoyed, on these boats, which present the most
delightful travelling in the world. We were on
three of these boats, and we know of none better.
On the "David White,' with its gentlemanly
Captain McLain, and clerks Pgman, Smith and
Maddox, we made two uOyGges. Each boat in the
line IS built III nearly the same style. They aver
nge about 300 feet in length and as the machinery
is all on the lower deck, the cabins extend nearly
the whole length, i'll an unbroken line of spacious
state rooms, fortified with life-preserverS. The
painted, principally of pure white with delicate
gildings, and have beautiful carpets and furniture
Each boat has spacious barLer-shop, hot and
cold bGths, superior cuisine with bills of fare and
handsome service, indeed with every comfort that
Gun be found in the best hotels.
On the calvin Adams.'' q splendid boat of
the line, we were exceedingly gIalified to find
Richmond influence prevailing. On touching her
deck, we were familiarity accosted by man in
blue check shirt, and hands and face begrimed
with smoke. 1t was Charles Reins, son of our
worthy citizen, Richard RenS, who is an engineer
on board. and with whom the world goes very
I. fully ami happily OF course, we were most
happy TO exchange cordial greetings. We, soon
afterwards, met with the Captain, George w.
Norton, who is a fine-looking fellow, and was
educated at the Luncdsteridn School in this city.
The Clerk, Mr.. emmon, is as civil and agreeable
4 man as is not often met with; and with these
gentlemanly ministers of comfort and safety to say
nothing Of the jolly and faceous porter, (Elliot)
and the burly barber. George TosSport from Win
chester, Na.,) the time pissed off most rapidly and
pleasantly. But the "David White'' has one
merit nf which Other boat we know of, can
boast. Each night, fter supper the two pastry
cooks made their appearance, and the one on the
violin, and the other on the piano, "a fine instru
ment presented by David White of Madison, Indi-
any, where this beautiful boat entirely bult,)
made most charming music. They performed
profuson of exquisite German VALUES, and the
'rrSpinr' of the "Child of the Regiment was
rendered with skill and beauty, as pleasing as
it was unexpected. ..r.s.
1t lisa remarkable fact that the whole cost of
the pleasant travel from Washington to Louisville
(9s5t miles) is only $500, including So for q
state room and meals on the steamer!
From Louisville to Memphis (655 miles) we
took small and Indifferent Arkansas River Boat,
the fare being only 81.
From Memphis to Louisville, on our return, we
travelled on the "Robert ]. warl,'' Capt. Silas
]. Miller, a spleedid boat, for sic. When the
railroad shall be completed from Richmond to
Memphis, the trip will be made in about two days,
it now requiring about week.
Before concluding these simple statistics, it is
proper that we should state that we were ON board
the "relegraph. No. B." beautiful Mail Boat
between Cincinnati and Louisville, and the
ECLIPSE" ranked as the most splendid New Or
leans Boat; but none of them, in our view, can
surpass the calvin Adams in all the comforts 10
a tray eler.
UThree lots between fifth and sixth avenues,
and Ninth and Tenth streets, at New York, were
sold last Thursday for $4,000.