The daily Gate City., 1856-03-10

sensation is to me decidedly novel. nave
written all to my friends who have any CLAIMS
on me, and to some perhaps who are nof my
friends. have read all the newspapers on
4 board, have sounded the eight or ten pas
sengers, and find nothing in them either
amusing or edifying. In this strait recall
to mind your oft repeated request, that when
roaming about | would drop you line for
your paper aud seize the suggestion as q
relief from the pressing cnnui Of the hour.
As write quite as much for my own salts
faction as for that Of yourself or yonr read
ers, you can print it or not, just us to yod
may seem most fitting, resting assured that
either event will be satisfactory TO me.
On Tuesday morning, l9th inst, in com
pany with our old friend Maj. Il. b. H., /
left home for Cairo, and instead Of starting
in the direction of Cairo, we went directly
the opposite course to Burlington, Mt which
place We arrived safely, BY the aid Of the
Western Stage Company. Here we fonnd
the railroad had been blocked up by snow,
aud no train through for four days but for
tunately one came through that night.
4 lat O'Clock next morning we left Burling-
ton, and in just twenty-four hours reached
Cairo, without accident.
NY friend the Major assured mo from
the moment of starting that It would be all
right, as he had unwavering faith in his
good genius. By the way, if you wish to
find the best or the worst traits in any mans
character, travel with him. Ny friends in
domitable energy, good humor, and high
spirits, never appeared to greater advantage.
He has Just been to Cincinnati to look af-
ter the boat he is building, and which he in
regular packet between keokuk and New
Orleans. 1t is an experiments bnt one in
which our citizens are deeply interested, and
which they should encourage by every means
il their power. The boat will be splendid
affair, costing about 100000 If the trade
iustihes it, he will also put the Henry Chou
teau, Of which he is owner, in the same trade.
He deserves success, and if untinching ener-
" and perseverance, extensive popularity,
ana long experience can command II, he trii
succeed
Cairo detained me twenty four hours wait
ing for boat. Neither the forty boats with
their crews living there, nor being the head OF
navigation for two months past, nor the
Central Illinois Railroad, nor all It's other
advantages, have made any thing yet Of Cairo
The principle commodities of the place at
present are mud, smallpox, and Irish shia-
dies Every third man you meet exhibits IN
his face the effects Of the latter amuse-
ment, which is occasionally varied by the ~
PRODUCTION of the American accompaniment
Of The pistol and bowie knife. There arc
bat few houses here now, that were not here
when first saw the town in 1912, hat among
those few Is tolcrable hotel, 1T which, was
well treated and had quite rs good living -
most western hotels afford. It's the Taylor
House and is just started. They skin you,
however, in prices for every thing you get
here, and if YOU get shaved, as did, BY the
| Dutch barber, YOU will be skinned literally
as well as metaphorically.
About forty miles below Cairo something
which looked Ike town came into view,
ana seeing passenger with saadle-bags on
arm, ready to stop, asked him what i was.
While the boat was rounding to, he launched
into panegvric on the place Hickman, KY
a, which it seems he resided, and had don't
20 for twenty-eight years. He said 1t did I
large business, having the control Of eigh
or ten fine counties in Kentucky and Tennes
sec 1t had railroad ready to receive til
iron, twelve miles long, to JOIN tic lobh
and ONO 1. l. ~hel' quot ~ 'o"h :
about the size OF Aon'rose' anu aS one =