The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-05-17
Editorial CORRESPONDENCE.

EXCLUSION CARS, B. & o. R. May 4th, go
The special Train of the Editorial excur-
sion left Wheeling this morning, and is now
vending its way throu,h the hills, and un-
der the mountains Of the Allegheny ranges,
ir the midst of scenery OF the most dve,si-
fed, grand AMI enchanting description.
The train consists Of Ten Of Knights new
Patent sleeping cars, adapted to day as well
as night travel, easy, commodious, and ven.
tilated so perfectly, that the presence Of
dnst and impure air is entirely avoided
They cost. some 81 900.
We have representatives from some l5C
western Posses, by the west being meant
the Valley tn" Mississippi, from Minnesotf
to Texas. The number Of the company ex
caedS so. Iowa so far As have learned
has limited representation present. consist
ing Of Mahan Of the MlScatine Journal
BeardSley of the O>kaloosa Herald, anC
myself
We have Just stopped to pay our respects
to the "Centenarian,' Mr.. Henry Church
! He lives about 80 miles east of Wheeling
in log cabin, close to the track of the Rail
road. He was born in England in l751 , ant
consequently is now l09 years old. BY
his side sat his wife, to whom he has beer
married over 80 years, AL next to the coup
le, their baby, a Sprightly girl Of so. The
old man cane over in the British army, tc
fight the colonies, but desert ID, and settled
in these mountains, where he has lived since
He arose from his seat and took by the hand
such of the company a. We're near him.
Mr.. Smith, the manager Of the Railroad, in
troduced these relicts of the past, with a
brief statement of prominent points in Their
history. Some manfesting purpose tc
bcstow money upon the "Old man of the
Mountains" Mr.. S. requested them not to
do so, as the old gentleman had the ability
to buy them all out. He owns 5000 acres
of land we were told
The wonders of scenery, and the tri,
umphs ofart, which &e are now viewing
connot all be described. At every turf,
there is something new and startling. A
solitary Locomotive is running about quar-.
ter of a mile ahead to clear the track. Every
few minutes we catch a view of this and OF
the front train, as the track winds around
the base Of hill. One moment we are
moving along the brink ola mountain stream;
the next we dash through a tunnel again
we are flying along mountains side with
a gulf yawning at our feet, at the bottom the
silver line ola stream clearly defined. At
points of most interest, the train stops, to
give the editors good look.
On the line of this road there are IA tun-
nels, the longest over 1900 feet. They are
all solidly archel with brick, stone or iron
at cost ofabout $780, 900. A large sum
for one item. This arching makes the work
as durable as the mountains themselves
We have just partaken of sumptuous
dinner at Grafton, consisting of every deli.
cacy Of the country and season. Besides
thS iIobSi, htlc &c DilCh Viz
company have extensive shops at this place
We spend the night at Cumberland. To.
morrow we go to Baltimore, stopping at
Harper's Ferry on the way. There is talk
of sundry attentions in store at Baltimore
and Washington, which will be doubtless
submitted to with becoming resignation by
our modest crowd
! The excursion is superintendent by w
p. Smith Esq, the able ard popular master
of Transportation, an Office corresponding tc
Superintendent on other roads. Every thing
has been provided to minister to the safety
and enjoyment of the company, in every
conceivable particular
At every town the entire population greet
the arrival Of our train, ca mon are fired, &c
The Editors and their wives are Just now
enjoying themselves finely. We have JUS
reached Cumberland Nd, city of som,
Importance should judge, where we are t.
spend the night. n.