Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1858-10-13
CORRESPONDENCE OF THE STANDARD.
BrSaHAMroN, N. Y Oct. Q, 1858.

lamed Erie hairoad. My seat had scarcely been sc.
cured, before the clear tones of bell rang out upon
the still air. warning that the train about to
move Above the noise and confusion, made by
passengers in endeavors to procure eligible seats the
voice of the conductor heard shouting the char
acteristc words "all right, 60 ahead" when the
iron throat OF the rehorse screamed its dscordant
farewell, and We were soon laundering along at the
rate of forty miles an hour. On on We rushed in
the wake OF the painting steam demon, with fright
fully increasing speed. A displaced loosened
rail defective wheel or axle; an obstructing stone
or fallen tree, and this rich freightage Of human
souls would have been hurled down the jagged sides
Of the precipous embankments, shapeless mass Of
mangled flesh and crushed bones. I confess to
nervous uneasy feeling became conscious Of the
rapid leaps We were making, which was in no wise
lessened by recollection of the recent Port Jervis
catastrophe. And to add to my unpleasant feelings
| was seated by one of those Jobs comforters we
frequently meet, who enjoy themselves in the same
ratio that others miserable. In reply to q
mark made by me in relation to the fearful rate at
which we were running, he unlocked his storehouse
Of horrors, and entertained G) me with narrowing
recital of various accidents this road, concluding
with an account of the killing Of lady friend who
had occupied seat just about Uhere scas nou sat-
ting-over the wheels-when an axle broke and
pro:rudng through the floor, impaled her to the
side Of the car. Comforting information! Pleasant
reflection to sick, nervous man, travelling for his
health, that at any moment he was liable to be
skewered up in true cannibal style!
the centre of the car have had doubts since, as
to the truth of my fellowtraveer's stories for in
five minutes after effecting change he toas stretch
ed at full length in my seat, sound asleepl
The rail carriages on this road are undoubtedly
the most comfortable have ever ridden in. Soft
and capacious. with backs which may be adjusted to
suit the ease and convenience of the occupant, and
with cushioned rests for the head they constitute
most luxurious, nap.inviting lounge.
The most noticeable feature in these cars, how
1f atsar,t thn
chnery for effecting it being under the floor and
operated by the notiou Of the train. In the centre
Of the car, and hidden from view, is a large reser
voir, the water Of which is projected by force.
pump in continual showers through two upright
boxes reaching to the top of the car this water de-
scending in copious quantities. carries with it all the
dust into large receiver while the air traverses
long conductor, aud is received in the through
numerous gratings in the floor. Notwithstanding
the weather was quite warm, yet, with every door
closed and every window down, there was q con-
slant passage of pure, cool air. entirely free from
dust and cinders
Passing along we soon reached the pretty little
town of Patterson situated the Passac river. 1t
contains some 12 900 inhabitants and boasts several
very extensive manufacturing establishments, loco
motive and machine shops. Here, also, may be seen
the Passa;c Falls, at one time second only to Mag
ara, in wild beanty and startling grandeur. But an
nsatate greed of gold has destroyed the attraction
these falls possessed by diverting their waters
INTO cnannelS LOT Manufacturing purposes.
was told by gentleman that during heavy rains
the falls still present sublime awe-inspirng spec
tacle; but as had not the time to wait for second
flood, your readers are deprived of description of
this once interesting spot.
"AI aboard!" Away we dash furiously on with
giant strides and soon reach the scene of the late
terrible disaster the details of which sent thrill Of
sickening horror to every heart. almost involun.
tarily closed my eyes the ill.fated spot point
ed out, while cold chis crept over me as pictured
that night Of gloom in which the despairing screams
Of terror and means Of the dying were mingled with
the horrid sound of crunched bones and crashing
timbers. Slowly we pass along as If fearful that
every step would develop some hidden danger.
Having passed this point, We rapidly shoot along
through region of country unsurpassed for its
reach the village of Binghamton. Being in feeble
health and much fatigued, bade adieu to some
friends, and taking omnibus conveyed to the
| Exchange Hotel, kept by Mr. Ashby. II any OF
your readers ever visit this place. give the Exchange
| call; the rooms are nice and airy table tiptoP,
and the walters exceedingly attentive and obliging
besides, friend Ashby has a knack of making one
feel at home, and that is feeling rarely enjoyed in
| public house.
Binghamton is called a rillage, but it is quite q
brisk, hourishing little town Of ten thousand mhab
itants. have visited many places noted for natural
beauty, yet as gazed upon the romantic scenery
environing this smiling Eden, thought nature had
never grouped, in the range of glance panorama
l
village is long succession of towering hills stretch
ing far away until their green.clad SUBMITS grow
! dim and underlined in cloud Of blue.tinged ether
| east and west of the town flow, respectively, the
beautiful rivers Susquehanna and Chenango gliding
noselessy over their pebbled beds, until their
tiers Of crystal clearess silently minge, when, with
accelerated rapidity, the confuent streams move on
in their passage to that great absorbent the ocean
Lying between these noble streams is the famed
Chenango valley, dotted here and there with numer
-ho,c nlol hx,H IF inn
grain and vast meadows of sweet scented nutritious
grasses Attached to each farm ar immense orch
ards of apple trees, upon which much and at
tention is bestowed. Here the rosy checked pear
main, the golden tinted pippin, and browncoated
russet attain the highest degree Of perfection.
But to return to the village Westwardly, on tn,
skirts Of the corporation limits, is the Susquehanni
Institute, large seminary Of learning under TIT
charge of Prof. Carver. 1t is an immense building
capable Of accommodating large number Of stu
dents, and when some contemplated improvement
are completed, will be ornament to the town
This institution enjoys an enviable reputation ant
is well patronized To the north of the town, at tn
base Of Mount Prospect, are two celebrated Water
Cure establishments; one under the auspices OF Dr.
North and the other Of DR.. Thayer. At the forme
some forty guests and at the latter some TWEEN
ty or more, undergoing the water treatment
shuddered as caught glimpse Of the dripping
comforts and bathing apparatus, and thought of be
ing wrapped, like an Egyptian mummy, in icecol
sheets, or repeatedly plunged notens cotsns, into
bath of freezing water. once tried cold water ap
plicstions for bronchitis, and if l had only perse
vered with the treatment. am confident l shou'
never have been subjected to another earthly all
ment NJ. &C.,. ..s,-
half mile to the southeast of the Water-cure,
and on the banks of the Susquehanna, is seen tn
beautiful home of the Hon. Daniel s. Dickinson
The grounds gently undulating, traversed b
numerous walks, and ornamented with shrubs an
flowers. - t't.