The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1868-02-20

close letter received from very intelligent
gentleman 4, in which he details his experien-
ces and impressions IN most vivid manner
I:submit the epistle without comment, as
the writer is fully competent to tell his own
story. Yours, &c., L. L. Ii.
ALTOONA city !'' shouted the conductor
at one end Of the car. altoona city 7"
yelled two brakemen and three water car
riers at the other end. We seized our bag
gage cnd jump ped from the car. We noticed
that al the other passengers did likewise.
Everybody stopped at Altoona. What
mass of people were about the station house
and platful IA What miles of Railroad cars
were strung out in all directions We be-
came bewilderei. Wondered if there could
be two Chicagoes. and if we had got into the
wrong car and been landed at one of them.
But mol the conductor shouted Altoona city.
There WAS no mistake, SO we soon found
our way home and I,Dted until the following
morning. In the morning we procured the
services of friend, and went forth to take
look at the city. There were omnibuses
and dTays, and milk wagons in the streets
everywhere. We passed by whole blocks of
four story salesfoons and warehouses, but
saw no person that we knew. We met six
policemen with stars on their coats and ugly
looking sticks in their hands We also met
a co!0red boy with bell in his hand, crying
out, Lost Childi" Lost Child I"-were
stopped thirteen times by as many Jew
dealers in ready-nade clothing, and invited
20 "step in and buy soInething." We saw
two fights and heard fourtenn organ grinders
Also. saw several strangely dressed people
on the ride walks, and asked our friend Why
they dressed 30 queerly. He told US that
they were Chinese. Japanese and Bettentots
-l,n IaH aoyfr
say, "good morning Andy" to a gentleman
who was riding by IN an open carriage
Asked what ANDY" and were informed
that it w9s the Ex-Governor of the State
thc. the Executive Mansion was on Ihir-
taenth street. Got tired of the noise and
confusion, and requested our friend to stop
somewhere for the night. The next morn
ing we made some further inquiries about
the city Of Altoona. Found that the 6reat
Centra! Railroad from sunrise TO sunset
passes through the centre Of the city, and
that ali other Railroads and Plank roads
centre st this point.
Altoona city is The Railroad centre Of the
whole country. Nearly ell the plank roads
and stone roads in the Union terminate here,
including one from WoFsanonick. Wa have
teen informed that very in poTtaut changes
have taken plsce politically during our
absence. The Capitol OF the State has been
moved to Altoona. and the name &c the State
itself has been changed to AItGonG. Al the
neighboring towns around about, have been
annexed 10 AitaDna City-lIoi lidaysburg
forms the 9th Ward, and Tyrone the 2lst.
Midtown has been fenced in AID has become
another Bsul-h. The total population of
Altoona city is about 500, 900, more CT "a
good ceal) less. There are lO9 newspapers
published in Altoona city-llo of them are
! daily. OF the former number IS the Tribune
1t !s ably edited and has large su5scrip-
ton list. There is paper published in the
9th Ward that's very singular one-half is
printed in the South African language and
the other half in the Caffraira. 1t circus
lates extensively among the colored people
There are l49 fire engines in Altoona city,
besides a large number Of hook and ladder
companies. The City has 4CO Street Com
missioners and ScavengeTs. Each of the
former is required to station himself at O
strset corner and keep strict watch ever tia.
portion Of thc street that extends 70 the next
corner. Dogs and hogs are not allowed 70
run at large. hut are kept in cellars under
the Chinese hotels. Desirable building lots
have become very scarce, owing TO the rapid
growth of the city. Within the past few
years we had thought of purchasing, but
now fear we shall no: be abls to get ucarer
the heart Of the city than the 9th Ward.
Our present address is No. 1855, Altoona
street, City Of Altoona. State Of Altoona.
LITErARV.-We have received from the
publishers. the "Ba1d>Book Of Internal
Revenue" It is e pam phlet # some han-
cred pages, and is an invaluable companion