Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1872-08-20
EDITORIAL EXCURSION.

With pleasant recollections of the hospitality
of the famous Leland Bros, we left Albany
behind us early on the morning of July 1st-
After our day of rest everything looked bright
and pleasant, and we fully enjoyed the varied
scenery of the beautiful country between Alba
ny and Binghamton. The fields seemed to re-
joice in the pure rays of the morning sun, and
rich harvests showed the return they were ma
king to its warm wooing and the laborer's toll
At Binghamton we were met at the depot by
the Mayor, Councilmen and many citizens, and
escorted to the Caferty House amidst the firing
of cannon and the.playing of the Forty fourth
Regiment Band. Binghamton is the former
place of residence of Gov: Gilbert G. Walker,
and a brother of his is still residing there
Major Hotchkiss, who won the kind regards of
all on this trip by his untiring efforts in our
behalf. was raised In this neighborhood and
We had the pleasure of shaking the hand of his
aged mother who came to Binghamton to see
him. After partaking of splendid dinner at
the Cafferty house, we were taken in carriages
and driven first to the
WATERWORKs BUILDINGS,
where we inspected the machinery by which the
city is supplied with pure, almost ice-cold, wa
ter, pumped from two very large wells and
forced to all parts of the city, in some places
over two miles distant.
From there we drove to the Inebriate Asy-
lum, situated on very high hill, overlooking
the beautiful city and commanding a fine view
Of the winding Susquehanua and the surround
ing, picturesque country. This great building
of high and broad proportions, built of ham
mer-dressed limestone, was the admiration of
all Its appointments are perfect in every res
pect and the patients are under none but whole
some control, and with every convenience for
their enjoyment From here we returned to
the city and partook of refreshments at Mayor
Phelps nearly finished residence, which will be
one of the finest houses in the city. Thence
we went, by invitation, to the private residen-
ces of exmayor Dwight, Gen. Jones, Mr.. Ran
kin and others, all of whom entertained us in
the most handsome manner.
A BANQUET
was given in the dining hall of Cafferty's Ho-
tel, at about 10 o'clock in the evening, which
was well filed with the leading residents of the
city. The bill of fare was large and varied,
and the whole was excellent. After refresh
ments toasts were offered, responses made, and
the mutual exchange Of good feeling was kept
up until the small hours warned us to retire.
The enthusiastic reception given US sat Bingham
ton will be long remembered.
At LEO p. M, on Tuesday, we left for Scran-
ton accompanied by the Mayor of that city
who had come to Binghamton to meet us. A
two hours ride on the Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western Railroad-passing immense coal
trains every two or three miles-brought us to
the city of Scranton. This city has grown up
like the magic creations of Aladdin. And, in
truth, greater power than Aladdin's Lamp
has been at work here-the Miners Lamp
| lighting the way to more wealth than was ever
conceived of by the widest Imagination of the
| luxurious oriental. In 1840 the primeval for
est covered the place where now stands city
of nearly fifty thousand inhabitants
Here, as at all other places where we went by
invitation, we were met at the depot by the
city authorities and escorted to the hotel. On
reaching the Wyoming House we found table
bountifuly spread with refreshments for the
inner man. After each had refreshed to his in
| dividual satisfaction, we accepted the invita-
ton to visit the
| COAL MINES.
We first went to Taylorville, in a special trair
kindly furnished us by Superintendent Han
stead of the D. L. & w. r. r. We descended
Taylor Shaft into the very bowels of the earth
witnessed the process of coal mining, and pass
ing through the dark recesses Of the mine cam
out through the mule way to the open air.
After this we were taken through the Keise