The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1865-07-19
Correspondence.
Pass CREEK STATION, IS miles West OF |
FoRT HAILEcK, June 26, 1865.

you an account of my journey 10 the far
West. To attempt to give more than a
brief outline of my travels would require
more time than have al command at pres
eni, as we are lying over but for single
day, and other necessary affairs imperative
ly demand my attention.
As you and most of your readers are &C
quainted with the travelling accommoda-
nons, the delays, &c, between Bloomsbnrg
and Harrisburg, it will not be necessary 10
describe Them. Let il suffice 10 say that,
our party, which consisted of my bro,her,
his wife and son, Mr.. Pollock and myself,
left Bloomsburg Station on Wednesday,
April 5ih, al about 9.15 a. NJ, and after
the usual delays al Northumberland and
other places, we reached Harrisburg with
ont accident or incident worthy of note. al
about P. NJ. The latter place presented
an appearance quite in contrast with that
Of the Fall of 1862, when it's Streets, its
CAPITAL, &C., were ihronged with the hardy
yeomanry Of The Old Keystone State, who
had promptly responded TO the call for
minute-men, TO defend her borders from
The invasion OF an enemy. Now the stir
ring noies of martial music have given
place 10 the busy hum of industrial pursuits.
On the wing again at LIS A. M. (Thnrs-
day)-reached Altoona in time for break
ldsIs nC oCCDCI( OfOI SuO ttlOultoiho "dS
very fine, rivaling, if not exceling in
grandeur, that along the C. w & E. R. R.
We arrived at Pitlsburg al l.30 P. NJ, April
6th-my first sight of the smoky city. Ii
is justly styled black city. Everything
gives evidence of the presence of dirt and
smoke--diIty faces, dirty clothes, dirty
houses, smoke and dust everywhere. After
partaking of something TO refresh The in
ner man, we took The Piilsburg, Fl. Wayne
s. Chicago r r. cars about O'Clock, P. M.
had a delightful ride through Ohio and
Indiana aud part of Illinois. Reachad
Chicago at 40 p. NJ, on Friday, the 7lh.
Stopped al the Fremont House. In the
evening | visited Col. Woods Museum,
where | spent Two hours examining the
arge and Interesting collection of curosi-
ties, consisting oil paintings, minerals rel>
les statnary, &c. In one room was exhIb-
tied The Court OF Plate and the trial OF Our
Savior in wax figure all life size. In an
olher, The 'Happy Family" consisting Of
animals and birds of different kinds. ma,
lures and dispositions all living harmoni.
ously together-lhus furnishing an impor.
tant lesson on the subject of domestic
tranquility.
On the next day visited the principal
places OF interest in The city, including
Camp Douglas, where a large number Of
rebel prisoners were confined. But mnst
not dwell 100 long in The Lake City. will
mention buI one more item of interest be-
fore taking our depa ture OG Sunday eve.
ming The surrender of Gen. Lee and his
army was announced and was hailed with
noisy demonstrations, such as the ringing
of bells and the firing of guns. On Monday
morning meeting was called and arrange
ments m ade for more general exhibition
OF patriotic feelings. Accordingly a grand
procession was arranged for, 10 take place
IT the afternoon. II was a grand affair,
there being general display of The mill
lary and OF all the fire companies, express
companies, leans, grain, -four, mail, oys-
ter and hsh companies, omnibus compan-
ies, and street cars, where they run in The
direction of the procession. They formed
line OF about three miles in length In
the evening there was a grand display OF
fire. orks. BIO. Jos. aud took The cars at
IL O'Clock the same evening on the Chr.
cago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad for
Quincy, Illinois, on the Mississippi River.
Arrived at Quincy about P. M-crosse. 4
The father oil walters on a steamboat aud
| again cok cars for 81. Joseph, and after a
ride OF about sixteen honrs over the rough.
est road ] ever travelled, We reached The
latter place, April i2th which, by a refer
ence 10 The map. you will find, is situated
on The Missouri river We mel here a
number OF PennsyivanIsns, from LuZerne
county. who, like ourselves, were bound
for the gold regions of the far West There
were now ten OF US from our own and ad
joining counties.
ST 10. as il is generally called, contains
a population of 2 or thousand inhabitants
and several respectable hotels. The prin
cipal ones are the Pacific and the Patee
House. While here we received The news
, of the assassination OF Lincoln, Sew ard and
Son, which cast general gloom over the
minds OF The people; places OF business
were closed on Sunday from 10 A. M. until
2 NJ. By order of the Mayor.
We remained in town several days, ex-
aiming wagons, teams, &c, and in the
mean time our number was increased by
F. A. B. Koons, Miss Frank Smith, Messrs
f. Psrvin and C. & |. NJ. Robbins. We
now procured our outfit, consisting of a
wagon, thee yoke OF cattle and piovisions
for nine months, aud started across the
rver. There are several large out6ttiDe
houses here, and everything that one needs
10 cross the plains can be obtained al con
siderably lower rates than could have been
bought IN the East al that time. This i:
owing TO The great competition existing
here iG that line of business.
We left 81. 10. on the 10th Of April. Ou
( private party and outfit consisting of +
/ Parvin, c. & |. NJ. Robbins, myself anc
! Bfother yos.-iEe latter however remaining
| behind 10 drive team for Mr.. Koons, who
was mol quite ready TO start. Our team
-Four Rifles and Five Revolyers The irs
night we camped near The village o
| Walhena, where we had some rough ex.
perience in camping out. II rained and
showed most of the night, and although
our tent effectually kept out the rain, We
suffered some from cold, and were obliged
| 10 go out a number of times 10 look ate
The cattle, which we had picketed near the
wagon. They, not being accustomed 10
being tied up and in consequences of ,he
cold storm, became very restless and gave