Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1870-09-17
Our Visit to Niagara.

1t is a right big thing for country editor to
take a pleasure trip to Niagara. but we find it
much bigger to describe it after seeing the
wonderful Falls-so we desist, after commence
inr several times in hifalutin strains which fell
as suddenly and a good deal fatter than the
Great cascade itself Al we could do when
the grand tor-eut was first revealed to our as
tJnShcd vision was to gaze awestruck and
dumb, the only comment We found strength to
nake-"Whata fGisthere, mycountrymen 7
OF tue particulars aud pleasures Of our de-
Hshtlul Journey up to the northern boundary
Of this star-spangIed Union, and over into
Queen Yics dominious, in company with a
iony crowd Of our brethren Of the quill, with
Jud.e Wilson. Of the Marlboro Gazette, at their
head as a grave aud venerable sire, aud our
friend Ruby Ia Jewel Of the first water Of the
T5wsoutown Journal, acting as manager-gen-
eral-arrausius the entire programme for US,
and our longtime contemporary Baughman,
Of Frederick city, worthy representative Of the
Citizen as roommate volumes might be writ
ten. We would we had space, time and tai
ents 10 enlarge on each pleasant stopping-place
on o,,r route to and fro, where cordial recep-
lions aui genial Inequalities were invariably
rendered us, on each delicious view or charming
landscape which gladdeued our eyes as we
passed on through a rich, well-watered and
highly cultivated country, thjckly dotted with
towns. villages and beautiful residences.
We spent our first evening at the " HeTdic
House in the delightful town of Williams
port, Pa, and after a refreshing nights rest, be-
fore leaving visited the IIerdic Park aud
the famous trout pond lately constructed by
Mr. Hcrdic. in which are over hundred thou
sand fine trout. At the Herdic House we
found Mr.. r. s. Dodson, formerly Of the Foun-
tain Hotel. Baltimore, the Manager, and a truly
adablc gentleman he proved himself to be
We sped onward to Elmira, and from thence
40 miles TO Watkins Glen at the head Of Sem
AGA Lake. After clambering up the stairways
and through the labyrinths Of the Glen we
confessed our pen inadequate to description
Of the beauty and grandeur of the spot. Re
turning. we rested at the Mountain House,
erected recently by Mr.. Parsons, the owner Of
the Glen. and were refreshed and re-invigora-
ted by the efferyescing native Catawba, and by
humorousand pleasant speeches and sentiments
by the compauy-Col. 5. Sand Mills, of Balt-
more, ever Lrimful Of pathos and wit, presi-
ding. Brief, but pertinent, sparkling, humo-
rous speeches were made by Col Mills, of the
Maryland Farmer, j. Q. \. Herring, Esq, Of
Adams Express Company, Geo. Cotton, Esq,
of the annapolis Republican, Hon. Geo. w.
Wilson, Presilen, Of the Maryland Editors
/ Association. and others
The courtesy and kindness Of the Northern
Central Railway Company, by whose invita-
tiou our excursion was made in company with
the Maryland Editors Association number
ing about forty members, deserves special men,
ton. An that could be done for our comfort
and pleasure by the way was carefully attended
%, AM wherever we were pleased TO stop we
met with unvarying coriiality and respect
\ Indeed a few Of our party-the " Old Family %
not one Of them, howeyer-icll into an awk-
ward dilemma joke too good for Us to keep
-brough, on I'VE shrewdly suspect by one Of
the number afflicted with color-blinduess, -
when, after having visited the Art-GalIery OF
a photographist-ofA African dcsceut-aud had
their physiognomies transferred to paste-board,
the said gentleman of color stood forth aud
cordially invited his stranger visitors TO go and
take a drink with him
We would not, in our very cursory notice Of
this to us memorable trip, fail to notice the
kind attentions Of Mr. Thomas Barnett, the
venerable proprietor of the Niagara Falls
Museum" Everything connected with his
establishment, and it is rep,ete with curiosj-
ties Of rare interest, which no visitor to the
Falls should omit to examined have been pre-
I pared and arranged with his own hands with
judgment, taste. and skill.
Upon the conclusion Of the excursion ap-
propriatc resolutions were offered by W Fl.
Ruby, Secretary Of The Association, and unaui-
mously adopted, returning thanks to the North
ern Central Railway COMPANY to T. 5. Hol-
Inns, Esq, Secretary Of the Company, S c..
Wilson. Esq, Telegraphic Superintendent Of
the entire road, and Edward S Young, Esq.
General Passenger Agent, for unremitting at
tentions throughout the trip; to Z. Is. Parsons.
ESQ. land his assistant, J. White, Jr., the
proprietor of Watkins Glen to the new Sus-
pension and Goat Island Bridge Companies Of
Niagara Falls; to Mr. Thomas Barnett, pro-
prietor Of the Niagara Falls Museum Canada
Shore; to the authorities Of the city of Wat
kius, TO the editors and members of the
Rochester, y. y press, and to D. w Smith,
Esq, Of Wiiliamsport, Pa,-ior Inequalities
extended.
Many incidents worthy Of notice are n5c--
sariIy deferred.