Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-01-04
A FLYING TRIP NVRTHwARD.
Cairo. st. Louis ana Cape oirardsau
Notes by the Way.

Notes by the Way.
Wishing to take rest from our labors
anj visit some dear friends during the
holidays. we took flying trip northward
and saw many and various things during
a nine days journey that may not be
uninteresting to any one who has nothing
better to do than peruse the same Ar
irving at the Memphis and Ohio railroad
depot, we saw the genial face Of that
clever gentleman, Colonel Sam. b. Jones,
the efficient Superintendent Of that road,
whose eminent qualifications for tho po-
sition he occupies is demonstrated by
the management Of the road and its ad-
vancement from the desolation incl
dental TO the close of long war to its
present useful condition. Taking q seat
in an elegant car, we were soen speeding
along past various places celebrated for
the heroic deeds of the gallant band led
by General Forrest, many of whom were
to be seen on every hand busily engaged
in the battle Of life, providing bread for
loved ones that were dependent on them.
The pretty town of Brownsville was
reached, when the welcome sound half
an hour for supper greeted US, and a
well filled table was soon attacked by
hungry travellers, who commended the
fare at the Nelson House by saying that
Messrs. Brinton 4 Plat understood their
business.
On we went, with rapid strides, until
the Mobile and Ohio Railroad WAS
struck at Humboldt, when few hours
ride landed us at Columbus. that place
made famous in the early days of the
war, when it was thought to be impreg-
nable. Here the steamer Gen. Ander-
son was waiting for passengers, which
she soon got, and started up the Missis.
sippi for the city of Cairo The war
brought golden frnit into the laps Of the
Cairoites, and the town advanced with
such rapid strides that person who was
there six years since would not know
the place now. Many of the streets are
filled up, and others being raised to the
hight of the levee, while elegant rows
of brick buildings mark the sites OF
the wooden shsnties Of short time since.
But the rapid advancement has stopped,
and many avow that the business of the
place is retrograding; but, be that as it
may, many of its citizens are leaving on
account of the general dullness of bust.
ness, and seeking homes elsewhere.
That is bad sign. Familiar names
greeted our eyes on posters, which stated
that Mr.. and Mrs. f. A. Tannehill were
playing star engagements at the theatre.
Having seen enough of Cairo, we pro-
ceeded up the Illinois Central railroad
to Carbondais, a growing little town,
that is noted for not allowing drinking
saloon within its limits, the original owner
having inserted in all deeds that no intox
icating liquor should be made or sold un.
der forfeiture of property. Here we tool;
ticket for St. Louis, and found that,
although fifty-seven miles from Cairo,
they charged more than if ticket was
purchased at Cairo. They have to com.
pete with steamboats, at Cairo, but when
the Illinois Central railroad gets you on
their line where there is no opposition
they bleed you all they can. We rushed
up the road behind the iron horse at 0
lively rate, the broad prairie stretching
out on each side forming picture Truly
beautiful to those unaccustomed to such
scenes. Centralia was reached, where
we had short rest, and on getting
aboard the train concluded 10 ride in the
ladies' car, but there being several col
ored ladies therein, respectfully de
clined riding in q ladies' car on the ILL
nois Central railroad.
We soon reached Odin, where few
hours wait was necessary for the arriva
of train, and the travellers enjoyed
themselves as their fancy dictated. One
individual had a lock, the patent Ct which
he wanted to sell in different States i
opened with curiously arranged spring
was burglar and powder-pro and pos
sessed several other advantages. No one
offered to buy the patent, when travel
ing friend showed us how easily il wal
opened. The man wanted to bet him two
hundred dellars that he could not oper
it; he only had one hundred dollars and
wanted US to go halves. We did not wish
to win the money, and told him to take the
hundred dollar bet, but he would not win
or lose less than two hundred dollars
and lett with our travelling friend, whoa
we saw no mere. The welcome sound o.
the railroad whistle was at last heard
and every man kept his hand On hi,
pocket book until the train left Odin.
A three hours' ride brought us to St
Louis, and after resting for she night, we
started to view the sights. The principal
streets in the heart of the city are paved
with the Nicholson pavement, there being
few stone and some iron pavementa II
was refreshing TO see the well-dressed
ladies trip lightly over Fourth street al
any point they pleased, the Nicholson