The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1869-10-14
For the Lancaster Gazette.
UPON THE PLAINS !

.
umbus, on last Wednesday morn.
ing, l joined the party Of Excur-
'ionists, to the number OF one hun
1rcd and fifty or more, who were
'auntering around tho city-some
loafing around corners, some par.
taking of an carly dinner, Others
drinking that delicious beverage,
tho coffee" previous 10 their 60.
ing upon their contemplated jour
ney TO the West, in the neighbor.
hood of Fort Sheridan, better
known as the western terminus Of
the Kansas Union Pacific Railroad.
Promptly at 1890 P. NJ. the
same day the call Of "all aboard
followed by the ringing of the bell,
jostling of the excursionists against
one another, some wild with de.
light, some with western fever-all
anxious to find the first best unoc>
cupied scat near the window, 10
throw their living body into, whilo
baskets or hand trunks containing
their respective shooting irons,
lunch or things necessary for an
excursion, were. tucked under tho
seats, iCr convenience sake. The
train moved slowly out from the
Union Depot. The state prison
was passed, few bridges crossed,
and Columbus was soon lost to
sight. The country became more
beautiful as we neared tho Miami
valley, or portion Of it, while a
cool breeze swept constantly thro'
our we'll ventilated cars, making
all feel comfortable. Onward VIC
steamed, passing train now and
then upon their rapid fight, with
a dull sound ringing in our ears,
from the engine bell telling out its
"Bing bong" as it passes our car
window. Quite q number of the
excursionisls went to Cincinnati on
the ll:30 train under the care and
supervision of Mr.. A. J. Ryan.
Our party was under the super
vision of II w. Tallmudgc, who
looked to their care and comfort in
every particular. Hardly u finer
day could have been selected, be-
ing only warm enough to be pleas
ant. AT London aud Xenia we re
ceived another portion of"us," anC
at each station along the Little Mi
ami we were strengthened by The
admirers of Kansas and its fertile
lands. The party arrived at Gin
cinDui at $50 2. M., and were
transferred to the depot of tn,
Ohio Il Mississippi Railroad, i'm
mediately, in omnibuses provided
for the party. At the O. & NJ. R
R. Depot, We met some of Ryan
party which bad left Columbus up
on the ll:30 A. NJ. train.
Rev. r. l. Stanton, D. D. Prest
of the Miami University, joined Ii
here for the west. At & o'clocl
the train;on the o. & NJ. road, lef
their depot with 0 passengeI
coaches. and two sleeping cars
which hardly mole than accommo
dated tho party. The country
along this road is truly grand a
we smoothly moved along tn
banks of the beautiful river, whicl
we followed for u long distance
Before We left the river we passed
through d long tunnel, which dark
ened all within the car for som,
time, until the setting sun shon
into our face as we came from tha
darkoned tunnel made by man.
At 9 o'clock p. NJ. many ha,
gone to the state room OF tn
"Queen City" silver palace slOep
ing car, provided for tho excur
sioniats, to enjoy a good night
rest. At daylight we found our
selves in the neighborbood of Law
renceburg. Tho country arounc
this place appears to be vc!y fer
tile and rich in grass, fine stream
scattered through the country Civ
ing the farmers plenty of goo
running water for their cattle
Near Summcr6cld the locomotiv
while backing off n switch ran o.
tho track, which detained us 70
several hours. We soon come t
the Mississippi valley, which is th
best farming lands in Illinois Fin
corn is grown here. A hcav,
yield is expected this year, wheu
according to the number of stack
We have seen, must have yielde
we'll along the road from Cincin
natl TO st. Louis.
At half past one we were lande'
at our respective Hotels, some wen
10 the Barnum, ST. Clair, Evere
&c. Tired, dusty, travel~worn an
hungry, they oil seemed glad Of u
opportunity to rest themselves, an
still better satisfied to get som'
thing to eat. II they were not j
a condition (as to appetite) to d
full Justice to the fine fare set b,
fore them, it would be difficult
find u party that was. Having fiji
ished dinner about two o'clock, v
all set out, some in scattered pa
tics, some in groups, some struc
out singly, they all strolled abol
the city, some going to Lafayet
Park, Central Park, Unig's cav
and Shaw's Garden, whore exec
, lent music could be heard. FL
most fashionable people of St. Lo
4, is were out in all their fnery
see and TO be seen, and the latte
: it is to be supposed, was the mo
agreeable TO all parties concerne
Many of the party, however, =
turned in time for supper, as Il
gong could be heard upon all side