The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-05
ON THE WING WESTWARD.

trail Railroad. ~
1t requires o cool head and a calculating mind "a
fully grasp the magnitude OF the many railway arte
ries Of the West They radiate from every centre Of
trade, fitting indies OF energy and courage. Many
OF these continental in their character and
their respective administrations although not unlike
similar organizations elsewhere in the country are
OF an extended nature and full Of mysteries. his
tory of these undertakings, could it be written
wherein allusion would be made to the devices that
have been resorted to to obtain the controlling pow
err IN boards OF direction, it would form an amusing
chapter, and possibly at the same time an instruc.
tive one.
One OF the largest OF these roads that stretch out
their long iron hands grasping for the ascendancy
and hoping to eventually monopoze the lions share
OF the trade OF the West is the Chicago and North
western Railway Company. It has been full OF pow
erty and embarrassment at times, yet always with
increasing business, and now 1t is asserted is upon
one OF the "broadest and frmest foundations AS
each annual election rolled around there was great
diplomacy observable among the stockholders, the
one portion residing in the Western States desiring
the continuance Of the old regime while those In
the East were equally energetic that there should be
q subversion in the management. The latter party
have at length succeeded and what last year seemed
remote conclusion is now to them O pleasant
More fully developed than with any railroad COM
pany extant an idea entertained by the gentlemen
Of the Chicago and Northwestern road that rail-
way excursions are replete with peasantness and
excitement; that they have that dash of daring
which humanity always more less AFFECT, and this
feeling In perfect accord with the ladies of their
respective families and their friends generally.
Guided by these feelings and with memories of pre-
vious excursions as an incentive, there left this city
the LIST OF June for chicago a party of prominent
ladies and gentlemen the latter distinguished rail-
way officials" that, first. the vitazing element of
this railway company from New York might have
its proper representation there during the annual
election then to be held and secondly that an ex-
cursOR to the Rocky Mountains, purpOsed to be one
OF magnitude and elegance should be enjoyed by
such as the company in It's judgment and generosity
might invite Sufficiently gratifying, indeed, were
the progress and success of the attempts regard
ing the administration OF the company's properties
and earnings, and grand too, were the inception pro-
gress and termination OF the excursion referred to- as
those that may not be weary OF a plainly rendered
narrative OF trip that almost spanned the CONT
nent In less than week will be convinced The
Iowa division OF the Chicago and Northwestern Rail-
way, as all know, extends to Council Bluffs, on the
Missouri river, opposite Omaha, Its point OF cOnnec-
ton with the Union Pacific Railroad and to the end
OF the latter route so far finished amid scenes OF
nature luxuriant, sterile, majestic and lovely, two
hundred persons coquetted, returning with enlarged
ideas of 'imtess prairies". and OF their country.
An excursion party to the Rocky Mountains under
ordinary circumstances would not possess any
character OF this demanded attention and received
1t with such words Of appreciation from crowds
that praise OF the appointments and magnitude OF
the train became quite a cheap commodity and "an
Old story" IN order not to be wearlsome, and
comply with the invitation OF the committee of the
Chicago and Northwestern road, under whose
direction the excursion planned, Is is purposed
TO digress ut times from the contemplation OF BRILL
ant thrOngs gorgeously and uniquely ftGed up cars,
to the work OF giving Information OF interest rea-
tive to the character Of construction, fittings and
rAt ntfnr ht.h
party passed, with illusions To the engines, passen-
gers and freight cars respectively, so far as it was
lists went to the West.
A pen dipped in rose-water and deity used could
hardly give the delicate tnts desired to many points
of interest on the plains; nor could one, tracing
words with NORWOOD and gall, portray some OF the
sights along the roads travelled To understand and
appreciate the greatness and rapidity OF growth
the West requires ride not alone through the rich
regions and abundantly growing lands east Of the
Missouri river. but journey must be made west of
this where will be seen oceans OF rich, fertile pra,.
ries, big rivers, majestic snow-capped noun.
talns and miles and miles of almost desert,
where the parched. stunted grass tells
Of the presence OF an alkaline element that
precudes the chance OF life In vegetation. Thou.
sands OF travellers, should they not rush hastily
abroad to examine marvels there would by under
taking journey OF this character be struck with the
wonders within four five days. ride
The New York party left Jersey City the night OF
the 1st inst. travelling over the Allentown. Penn
sylva0ia Central and Pttsburg, Fort Wayne and
Chicago Railway lines reaching Chicago on the morn.
ing OF the sd inst. As darkness came by or be-
fore the starting OF the train naught was noticed of
nas,eS NTH ,ch,n;n, sm"aa mt, ,h .ue .rai1
Altoona was reached. Here are the construction
shops OF the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, under
the superintendent OF Mr.. Edward 7. williams,
and In extent and character probably inferior TO
none IN the country 1t required but little socita.
Where the facilities Possessed bv The roeS f"r me
construction and repair OF engines especially
noted As an ,o evidence OF their extent ten
at that time In process OF construction.
The grade OF the road from Altoona over
averaging ninetyive feet to the mile, attaining an
elevation OF eight hundred feet I'm ten miles. Two
engines were required to ascend this grade and the
country about II offers many charms for the pilgrims
In nature. Those who leave crowded cities climb.
Ing to the high places OF the earth find here
some OF the most impressive works IN nature, and
they would be dull indeed who cannot feel the In
1uence OF these gigantic scenes Such was the
msgniicence OF the sight or sights piled on sights
caused. Omnipotence Is there Nor Is II one noun.
tain height alone, but leach on others throngr to-
geher with their grand accomplishments, affecting
the mind intensely There the fearful precipices:
the Overhangng rocks dimly seen through passing
vapors, or almost hidden for moment beyond some
sweeping silvery cloud; quiet lakes contrasting with
tiny pellucd streams that seem Dy their roar to be
angry. But the unchanged, the everlasting rocks,
embems OF eternity. The beauty Of gentle, sloping
meadows and tall trees with leaves appareled'' OF
flowers fragrant and fair are all what will make the
remembrance Of this portion OF the road along the
Pennsylvania Central always vivid.
The Horseshoe" at Kittanng Point, TO those that
feel that accidents will happen on railways causes
shudder. The bold, rough mountain side on the one
hand and on the other deep, broad ravine, hun.
dreds VI feet deep, present but little chance OF
should aught occur to send death and destruction to
u passing train. 10 may be that engineers have
demonstrated " their satisfaction lis safety but at
no point along the road Ia there required such Sleep
less vigilance, such corps OF well tried watchmen,
both Vt day and night Fire may burn tie, heat
may warp rail-, they may be broken dislodged
by an enemy or one naliciousy inclined and should
either OF these everyday matters ION the rail" occur
the thought OF the consequences IL In Itself appalling
Here and elsewhere ~ be hereafter noted, there
should be station men and signal stations; these
men should patrol the whole road along the
mountain and should perform their duty even
AZ sailor with helm hard a-port bent on
the duty Of selfSpreservation, weathers the reef
The road has double track wherever business re-
quires Il, and IN many parts steel rails are aidthese
particularly about stations. IL is balasted with
stone aud Of the standard gauge. four feet eight
inches N width, with cross ties two and half feet
apart. These ties ofttimes take fire by the particles
OF coal that drop from tho frnaceA OF engnea and