The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-05-11
VOLUME XI. NO. l9,
Special Correspondence Of The Democrat
The Editorial Excursion.
CuMpERLANp. W., May 5th, lSl

CUMBERLAND, Va, May 9th, 1860.
An invitation having been extended by
the Baltimore anG Ohio Rail Road and other
connecting roads, and Steamboat lines, to
the Editors of tho South and West. to visit
Baltimore, Washington and Mt. Vernon, l
ayacd myself of an opportunity afforded
to Join the Excursion, and will give you some
of the incidents attending it.
Meeting in Cleveland, several gentlemen
representing papers in Northern Ohio. wo
left the city in tho ovoung train, for Whco-
ling.by the Q. g. i. .R.R. stopping on the way
at Wellsyille, from l to 3 o'clock, A. NJ, us
the trains do not connect at this point.
While thore, tho general freight agent of
tho road, came in, who had been out hunting
up and taking caro- of baggage that had
been scattered about by tho falling of five
freight cars through bridge near that place
W. w. Chandler is a thorough business man.
having worked his way up to his present
position, by dint of unwearcd devotion to
10 the duties of his Office. Tho road is in
excellent condition, and the courtesy of its
officers makes it u pleasant road to travel
upon.
From Wcllsvl,e to Wheeling thore wore
abundant evidences Of tho height reached by
| the water of tho recent great flood. Piles
but little threads Of water, and left so high
IN on their banks. that, but for thoir tosti.
nony, it could not bo credited -L4rat such
an amount of water had ever filled their
beds On ono OF those rivuets, tho flood
was so great as to reach, and move for somo
distance, dwelling house. drowning four
of tho persons in it; fifth escaped by
cinging to some DRIFT wood. The town of
Warren, now so far abovo tho Ohio, as ap-
parontly TO be quito beyond the reach of
| floods, was submerged, bome of tho smaller
houses completely covered, aud but tho tops
of others appearing above the wator the
entire body of the population being obliged
to Iomovo to level higher up. Tho dam
age to tho Rail Road was also worry great
As tho arrangement of tho b. & o.
| Rail Road, was, to havo as many OF tho Ex-
cursion Party as possible mcot at Wheeling
on tho itb inst. to go over the road by day
light, in special train, staying over night
at Cumberland, and stopping at all tho prin-
! cipal points of interest, TO enable them to
| form better estimate of tho character of
this great work, ns also to SEQ some of tho
moro striking features Of tho sublime see
merry through which it passes, We found,
upon our arrival ut Wheeling, u largo gath.
ering of members and representatives of the
press, embracing persons from Texas and
Mississippi, as well as from Iowa aud tho
States in far Northwest. Many of thcm
woro accompanied by ladies. Two of tho
first and most powerful ergincs of the COM
pany, decorated with flags, ribbons and
wreaths of flowers, wore in attendance, ono
of them acting us tender to assist the train
up the heavy grades. Tho train consisted
Of ten cars containing about four hundred
persons, guests OF the road.
1t went at less than its usual rate of speed,
and stopped at tho principal points of in
terost long enough to enable us to leave the
cars to see them. Among, and not the least
interesting of the curiosities of this road,
arc tho ccntenarians of Tygarts Valley,
Henry Church. who is 100, and his wife.
who is lO7 years old. They rejoice, also, in
daughter, young lady of oghtytwo. II
thoir lamps hold out little longer, thoy
may celebrate their second golden wedding
At Cameron, we wero greeted with ban
ners and cannon. Crowds of people were
assembled at Piedmont, where we dnud,
| and whoro Brass Rand discoursad most
excellent music meanwhile. Arrived at
Cumberland at 7 o'clock p. NJ, where a
sumptuous supper awaited us at the Revere
House. In tho ovoniDg, n meeting of the
Knights of tho Quill Was held at one of tho
public halls, and committees appointed to
draft appropriate resolutions, us woll as to
appoint speakers to respondto the Author
itios of Baltimore who arc To give Us re.
ception upon our arrival at tho city.
With tbree of Knights patent sleeping
cars attached to our train and tho hotcl
accommodations of Cumberland, wo were
provided with placos to sleep, which was
duly appreciated by those who, like myself
were obliged to 90 without the night before
Yours, sc.