Nebraska advertiser. [volume] (Brownville, Nemaha County, N.T. [Neb.]) 1856-1882, 1870-03-17
lcoMaUNICATED.l g1Tgl
NOTES FROM A JOURNEY.
Across the Continent on the Great
.slbs Pacific Railway. a a.Z

our departure from Brownville, some
two months ago, viz: A description
of our journey from Omaha to Sacra-
mento, by railway. 800 - IIh 4
During the journey took notes of
such incidents and scenes as I sup
posed would prove interesting to
friends and acquaintance, who had
requested US to write. I herewith
copy them, hoping they may find
place in the Advertiser.
. November 15.-A drizzling rain and
lowering sky hoyered above our de-
parture. The ride to Phelps station
was uncomfortable in the extreme, but
arriving at the station the cars soon
came steaming on, and once on the
cars we were fairly started. By six
o'clock the same day we took the bus
from the Council Bluffs depot for
Omaha, just an hour too late for the
westward bound train, and must wait,
with what grace we could, another
day. AT the Pacific HOusen we were
well cared for and charged lightly.
Nov. 16.AAt 4 O'Clock we take a
bus for the depot, as the mud, to all
appearance, is a foot deep all over the
city, making it impossible for me to
find some friends whom 1 had desired
to see. But slashing and splashing
through mud and water, we were
set down at the depot, where with the
rest of the impatient emigrants, we
waited two mortal hours, and then the
iron horse snorted, the train came
steaming on, and "then and there was
hurrying to and 1ro.b Oh what a
gathering of bundles and baskets,
carpet sacks, lap-dogs, overcoats, ba-
bies, guns, everything portable, and
what a rush lest you may be left, or
be without q seat. AS these things
are items worthy Of consideration, we
join the general melee. and start for
the cars, Ny husband takes the lead
bearing the provision trunk and
shrub box, while Ernest follows with
huge roll OF blankets and a gun.
Walter supports his gun and carpet
sack triumphantlyi while May and l
are left to bring up the rear with the
two little children and the two bas-
kets, which we do right nObly. Some
little distance has to be traversed over
railroad tracks and around freight
cars. And of all the funny sights! l
havn't seen anything to equal it for a
long time. Each man, woman and
child, loaded with their respective
bundles, and all in hurry. 1 got to
laughing so that was unable to get
into the car, but, thanks to gentle
man, was assisted in. These are the
second class cars, $50 per ticket, and
we carry our own provisions, which is
no small item, as we are told that this
will be our home for eight or ten days.
So we settle down quite comfortably,
occupying as many seats as we can,
for we are thinking of eight or ten
nights when we shall have to imprO-
wise beds of the seats and our bla1-
kets. We throw aside all reserve and
conventiOnalism and are soon well
acquainted with many of our fellow
passengers. Some five or six ladies
are in the car with me, intelligent,
lively and sensible, while the gentle
men are agreeable and polite.
Soon the engine shrieks frail fare
we'll through the gloom, and we real
ize that we are indeed on the grand
Continental railway, bound for the
Pacific coast, that we have left friends
and old associations, and, needless of
the din and clatter, the merry talk,
the Jokes and confusion, we find our
selves prone to indulge in tender re-
collections, but this must be put aside
for we have not yet had time for sup
per. So now that we are fairly under
way, the dinner baskets are satisfactO-
riiy discussed. The car is crowded
when bed time arrives each one
seeks to get himself into such a posi-
ton as will be most likely to WOO the
drowsy God. Looking down the car
L notice that hats, boots and water
falls occupy the most conspicuous
though many from choice,
g HObsOn's eheice,n have taken sit
ting position Ito secure nap. Not
much sleep visits our eyelids the first
night, having been awakened Occa-
siOnaliy by the laughter and Jokes of
the "boysp who were SO unfortunate
as to give up their seats to the ladies.
/ feel profound regret for those poor
fellows, who, to ali appearances, are
doomed for eight or ten consecutive
nights to vary the monotOny0 rest
! less wanderings through the aisle
with 'tFOosting'i on the backs of seats;
bat the way of the emigrant is hard,
and the "wee sma' hoursn of night
are keptlnoisy by sleepy jokes. yti 2.
IgtNoV. 17---We look out and see the
long level stretch of Platte Bottom.
Certainly this is the most favorable
railway route in the world-almOst a
dead level from the Missouri to the
mountains. We are getting on finely /;
q nice, warm car, good, soft, cush-
iOned seats, good fires, good lights,
plenty of water-thOugh not very
good. Conductor keeps clear, and
we're "masters. of the situation"
Nov. 6.-AfternOon, Cheyenne, 516
miles from Omaha. a pretty little
town. No end of hotels, eating
houses. saloons, &c, while in the dis
tanee / see some two or three neat and
beautiful churches; it is aatOwn Of
three or four years growth containing
two or three thousand inhabitants.
1t is perfectly ysurprising situated in
the heart of the wildeTness-hun-
dreds of miles from eiVjlization-a
young city, blessed with neat church,
es, schools, cottages, &c: q To hear
is to doubt, but to see is TO believe,
verily!n y 6li5f .r.a rs -t1 .n8-
/ hear the tramp, the mighty head
tii OF nations vet to be;
The first low wash Of waves where soon. Z 4