The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1870-07-27
From Our Own COrrespOM.
F"" ,' dent.
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA, July 10, 1870.


Mn. 'ED1roR Now I will say
something of the great Western Gil
ant. The eyes Of many persons are
at present tdrued towards California
aud probably an account Of the State
and also Of the Pacific Rail Road may
prove Of interest to you.
Tt may arouse our friends, and
stimulate them to renewed exertions,
to know how the world and especially
the Western World is striding on.
TIE greatest civil and scientific
achievement is tho Pacific Railroad.
Stretching with its connections across
tho entire American Continent; tho
main trunk extending three thousand
miles, aud connecting tho metropolis
Of tho East with that of the W est ;
and passing through every variety of
soil and climate, it is a stupcndous
work worthy of "the most glorious
country tho world ever saw" From
San Francisco to Omaha there is but
one route ; and this is tho Pacific Rail
Road proper The Central Pacific
extends eight hundred miles to Og-
den near Great Salt Lake; aud the
Union Pacific couneots this place with
Omaha thousand miles distant.
From Omaha roads branch off into
every part Of the United Staees.-
There are three routes between Omaha
and Chicago. The Chicago & North
West ern the Chicago Rock Island &
Pacifi,, and the Chicago, Burlington &
Missouri; each about Eve hundred
miles in length.
% New York is connected with Chica-
20 by three great trunks. The North
etn route pa ssing along the Hudson,
UP the Mohawk valley, and crossing
the Niagara Suspension Bridge int,
Canada, returning into ths y United
States at Detroit, and travcrsiug the
central part of Michigan. The great
Erie route uuder the control of Gould
aud Fisk, skirtimg the southern shores
of the great lakes; and the Allent sn
or Pennsy ylvania central route, passing
through Harrisburg, Pittsburg, and
the mountains Of Pennsylvania.
These three routes are equally good,
but the former is generally preferred,
since it passes through region con-
tanning some Of the most magnificent
scenery in the world. Atpresent, the
frat class tickets on Express train.
make the trip in seven or eight days,
aud cost $40 10 currency. Second
class fares on the same trains are
$ll0. Persons purchasing the latter,
are not allowed the privilege Of OBJ.
tanning sleeping berths at night. For
the use Of emigrants, oars are attach
cd 60 freight trains making the trip in
fitteen days. These emigrAnt tickets
can be purchased for $50, little leso
than two cents mile.
Each express train has sleeping
ear attached for the convenience of
travellers. Bsrths can be purchased
for two dollars night. Besides these
trains, there are tho "Hotel Express"
trains, with Pullman Palace dining
and Bleeping oars attached, running
once q week, and containing every
possible convenience. Tickets for
these, cost $l75. Oftentimes a party
Of travellers charters an entiro car,
carrying their own servants and sup.
phys with them, and living most luxu.
riopsly. ''H 5"f'' = Ga.
These Pullman Palace oars are
magnificent affairs. During the day
they are provided with comfortable
roomy seats, and inviting lounges,
while the walls are hung with splendid
mirrors, and the door finely carpesed.
Az night the seats, are 40 arranged az
to form oommodious berths, while
above each, ahosher is let down from
,She ceiling. Curtains ere then ar
RAGGED along the whole car thus afford
ing 1 the, greatest, privacy. Besides
these, on each car there are, two state
rooms for the use IF families. Res
tausants are also attached to the din
ing oar. Small tables are arranged
securely betwesf, the seats, SO that the
Traveller while speeding. along at the
rats of 80 or 40 mites an hour, may
enjoy his meals las quietly az though
@he were in his own dining room.
The expense forrsgular n. eals along
thot ,telis about twonsy five dollars.
Meals on che train [ cost something
asaore, as the dining oars are conduct,
Ssd on the principle Of restaurants
iGensrali y passengers carry aheir pro-
sisione along with them, os7else par,
chase baskets of s'luneli'h at3 Omaha
and thas lessen' their sxpsnsas ymateri,
ally. ga SO sS1reiaX b1S b-rt3
We left New Work, by The north.
,ern route ~, six; in the evening, and
aatsnoon the next day, crossed the Sus
fpension1 Bsidee, in, full, Wow Of ths
aFalIs of Niagara. Many, passengers
lie over q day at this place. TO vies
the beap.ies and grandeur Of the aaene
Wy ay peop. o,,ssa, d ,ae selleviog day ',
iyeaehedy Chicago, .and having, by
slight detontieni ionthe Great WestsFs
~ Honn1n Sos1 ~AaASn~ s,n "