The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1856-05-03
ON THE ROAD.
Correspondence of Chr Californian.

correspondence of Cte Californian.
Ileft New York city Tuesday, the 18th
inst, at 5 p NJ. IN route for the Great West,
in the cars of the New York and Erie Rail-
road, advertised as the shortest and quick
est route, with wide cars. broad cuage, double
track. sure connections" SC. &C., giving me
fond anticipations th,t, although the rain was
falling fast, and cold wind from the S. W.
brought discomfort to the second class pas
sergers in their covered boxes, we at least
should heed neither storm nor night, but
speed to the Great Lakes by this ''lightning
express" as costly as If at our own 6resides.
Alas for day dreams for such mine proved
to be. The cars we're Of the plainest, common
kind - no high night seats, no ventilators
which deserved 'he name big stove in the
centre, which burnt those near it, but did moi
even warm those more remote and springs
(?) underneath which | should think we're
made of solid bars of iron add to all a very
rough road, and double track only part Of
the way, so that We we're frequently obliged
to stop Cat some out-of- the way place, of
course) for other trains; and only one small
refreshment saloon (by daylight to feed the
500 6rst-class passengers with which the
train was laden.
But the longest journey must have an end
and we arrived at Dunkirk, on Lake Erie, at
~. NJ. the 18th (instcad of at ~ as adver-
tiscd), to find that the Lake Shore train from
Buffalo, with which We should have connect.
ell, had passed that place some three hours
before. OF course we made rush for the
hotels (the depot floors picked up the emf
grants), two small third rate affairs, which
furnish
"MealS ut three shiI!inss heal
And two shillinys for two in bed"
single room. and bed not 20 hard as some |
have used but where they slowed the re-
naming 800 should not even dare to guess
We crossed On our way the head waters of
the Allegheny river. and found it much
swollen by the recent rain, and its banks
more than full. The river men were improv-
ing the favorable opportunity for rafting their
pine lumber TO the Ohio, and gangs of them
were overtaken all along, accompanied, as
am told they usually arc, by Indians from
the tribes of Western New York Among
them was one said to be lO7 years old, hale
and vigorous yet, who said the past winter
was the hardest he ever knew. Dunkirk is
a Hat, muddy hole, which has in reality no
business in the winter, when navigation is
suspended. noticed many of its stores
closed. but suppose they will tie in full opera
ton when the Lake is again open. Ice only
is in 81 ,ht at this place over the Lake. bu,
broken up so that a wind or warm weather,
will soon cause it to disappear
Mud, think, must he the chief product
Of Danki-k, though PIGS, Du'chmen, women
aud babies are more than plenty.
Twelve o'clock midnight, with rap. rap AZ
our room door broke our hurried sumbcrs
and we made another rush for the cars stand.
ing in the station house. which were packed
tull in the twinklinS of a jcwsharp. 1t wont
do to look for the best seats, but take the frs,
empty one at hand. or Won get none, for our
train with that from Buffalo consisted Of six
teen long cars with trc'r, hundrcd passenger.
in them, drawn By two locomotives, and W,
could not make time at that. These wcr.
all first class vars for the cnigrant train lief
at 9 o'clork ;hc evening tefore with as larg.
train. Truly the West hath charm W,
passed Erlc. famous for i,s railroad war, at
o'clock, A. N. Troops of ragged bows an,
girls bcset the train with pies, pies, Tenor
pies" and pea nuts for sale, and the trad,
in these last was the cause of that dcspcrat,
struggle by the Erlcans for break of guac'
here" 50 SAYS friend at my elbow. W,
reached Cleveland, Ohio. at II \. NJ, with
out further incident Here ! met towns
man, Mr.. NJ Morrill,, who left St j. the san.
day IeU .Nw York. lie came over the y
Y. Central Railroad, and | would advis,
those from your section who are leaving 70
this Western country to take that route, il
they know which side of their bread is but
tered
But hear you say stop, and will brin;
this rambling epiS,Ie to close, and give yc,
my impressions Of Ohio in my next.
! NELSON