The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-02-20
A Trip to the West-Tke ROute-A
Grand Railroad.

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
.... ST. Louis, Feb. u, 1871.
| The Pennsylvania Central railroad and
| its connections offer not only most com
| Portable, but attractive. route to the great
West. The work on the whole line Of this
road is of the most substantial and superb
| order, being as graceful as it is solid and
enduring. The bridges, arches, and ma
sonry OF all sorts, are worthy Of the admi-
| ration of men Of taste and science. The
sleeping cars have made travel so easy and
| comfortable that the passenger moves along
smoothly, without any of the annoyanceS
tions.
As we approached Pittsburg tried to
catch one glimpse of that city, but coal.
smoke and dust covered it with veil too
thick to allow me to do so. / once stopped
| for three hours, returning prisoner OF
| war, and in that three hours staid, as it
| We're, whole month.
Here the railroad company have erected
a magnificent depot, with ali conveniences
for travellers, including Il well-ordered
dining saloon, where Il "tip-top" meal
can be obtained at very moderate rate.
That is superb qualification to the travel
Ter, incomparably superior to the fare on
some Of our roads. -.s--t +.
At this point the Panhandle route COM
menceS, the road crossing the Monongahela
river on u most beautiful and substantial
bridge, where 4 commanding view of iron
works, coal.smoke, and dust, is presented.
Soon, however, we leave these far behind,
are once more in an open country, with its
beautiful and well.tilled farms, fine barns,
hay and straw-ricks, very poor dwelling
houses, and plenty of pure and delightfully."-
bracing air, on every side.
We reached Columbus, Ohio, in time for
supper, which was one Of the best en- route.
An elderly gentleman, who had evidently
tried it before, advised us at the table to lay
in good stock, "for you'll need it )" and
ii anv further argument had been needed,
"the way he went for that supper was quite
frighttul to see." His heartiness rather inn
pressed me with the idea Of coming fam
inc. Whether he died after this immense
.'lay in" I did not learn, but the Captain
said he would telegraph ahead for coffin
AS night closed in on us at this point we
were unable to see anything Of the country,
and did what every one does--went to bed.
In the morning we found ourselves III
low, very fiat country ; plenty of water on
top of tie land, and no doubt any quantity
Of chills and fever. The towns along the
route were very new, and smelt OF pine
and pine-top. -
- Lie lONH vi lEdSduGf iliC. WAS GuC paw
of our last meal (breakfast) before reaching
st. Louis, where we arrived in time for.
dinner.
A bridge is now in process of erection
over the river at this point, but as it will
not be finished for two years passengers
land in the little town of East St. Louis,
and are ierried over to this city.
. There are a great many Virglnians here
in business.
q have travelled little In my life, and
upon some of the most famous railroad
lines, but never in my experience met
with such u perfect system Of raitroading as
maintained on the ePennsy Central.
You are aware that Its lines Of railroad ex-
ceed in aggregate length those Of any rail
way in the Union. But length Of line and
responsibilities Of manage
nent seem only to increase the complete
ness OF its discipline and administration.
Mo other line knew is,so amply provided
with every comfort and convenience for the
a Stsr ~ . -