The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1870-02-25
At halr-past seven on Wednesday morning,

At half-past seven on Wednesday morning,
il had been published, the excursion train
would start up the river. We found seat on
the train in good time, and sat at the window
watching the pedestrian efforts OF some Of the
eXeursionists, male and female, who had not
been fortunate to. find early breakfast.
Now the steam whistle 'sset the echoes flying"
and the said pedestrian efforts would be mo
ms ntarily increased, and the engine, with
ha the cars attached, started towards En-
pOr a, some of the hardest exenrsionists were
seen way over the prairis, with carpet sacks
in ha-8. and horizontal coat tails, bendmgf for
ward er their flying feet in a desperate at
tempt t. hcad OF the train. When the whistle
again soul ded and the train stopped, and push
ed back to connect with the other-half Of the
train ON the switch, there was an evident re-
Taxation OF muscle, and probably wish that
the train had gone on was secretly whispered
to the winds, on the prairie. And when the
train finally started, we saw only two or three
who failed to,reach it in time to get aboard.
The ride to Emporia was equally as pleasant
as the ride on the day before to Burlington.
Everybody spoke OF the celebration as grand
success, and OF Burlington and its hospitabls
inhabitants in terms of the highest praise and
qualification. All were happy. They had been
entertained in manner much better than they
had anticipated, and full of satisfaction, mirth
and good humor flowed freely, and in some
parts Of the train the merriment became ex-
ceedingIy boisterous.
Unfortunately for our citizens, the train
reached Emporia nearly two hours sooner than
il was expected, and the elaborate system ar
ranged by them for the reception and enter
tainment OF the excursion party, was entirely
upset, disarraBged, disorganized and eXtin-
guished, by the advent of the party while
every one was busy providing the means to
carry out the programme. The party could
not wait for ceremonies, and falling in behind
their excellent band legislators, State officers,
and many others, marched TO the State Normal
School. Here was another surprise; but Prof.
Kellogg met the party ut the door and directed
them to the large assembly room up stairs.
After the confusion incident to the entrance of
such crowd, Prof Kellogg briefly acknowledge
ed themselves .'taken," and proposed any or
der of exercises that would be most gratifying
to the visitors. They preferred to witness
some of the ordinary exercises of the school.
An exhibition of light gymnastics, by large
portion Of the pupils, under the direction Of
Mrs. j. Il. GOrham, and all moving in unison
and keeping time to a lively tune on the organ,
was quite CERTIFYING performance to all pres
THEN class in Physical Geography was heard !;
then class from the model school, was heard
in reading by Miss Hawkins, one of the senior
class, in the presence Of other seniors whose
province it was to criticise the manner in which
Miss II. should perform her duty, an exercise
in which they seemed to take good deal ofin-
terest; but in this instance their comments
were for the most part more complimentary
than otherwise, but honest and well deserved
The exercises were cut short by the necessity
to go to the depot, when Governor Harvey, in
a few words, expressed the satisfaction with
which he had listened TO the exercises, and in
behalf Of the State, thanked the officers of the
school and the people of the town and of the
NeoshO Valley for their efforts 20 advance the
educational and general interests OF the coun-
try. Several members of the Legislature, in
behalf Of their respective branches, spoke in a
like manner, and then they all took up the line
OF march TO the depot. A luncheon for the
party ut the depot was a part of the contem-
plated programme on the part of our citizens,
but OWING TO the disorganization of the order
of exercises occasioned by the inOpportune ar
rival of the party, this was not 50 ample as it
would otherwise have been-the wagons and
carriages which would have been used to car
ry the provisions to the depot having been
drawn OF to meet other eXigencies. At ten
minutes before noon the long train, bearing the
largest excursion party ever seen in Kansas
and rs brilliant aud as gay one was ever
seen in any country, rolled away toward the
north; and all on board carried with them to
their homes greater love for Kansas, hearty
admiration of our beautiful valley, and the
best wishes of our people.