The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1872-06-14

ii. r StenEI
Z. J. Lewis, 50
A. S. Shelton,
J. Prentiss,
G. NJ. Darling, {"
Ali were in good spirits, and the
time passed pleasantly unit the
"wee sma' hours" when the last o.
the delegation wearied with spin
ming yarns, and tired of trying tc
keep the rest awake, yerked himself
into his elittle bunk" and sought
the soothing embraces of Morpheus
In the early morning, soon aftel
leaving Barnesville, we were all astir
enjoying the scenery among the hills
of Southeastern Ohio, and soon af-
ter we rounded into
BELLEAIR,
stopping upon the elevated struc-
ture over which the appeoach to the
high bridge that crosses the Ohio,
is made. We had passed through
several tunnels during the night,
but this structure, with the bridge
across the river, was the first in the
series of really gigantic undertak
ings, accomplished by the great cor
poration. Crossing over, a short
stop was made at the station below
Benwood, and many took advantage
of it to fortify the inner man with
an early lunch, which would last
them until Grafton (the breakfast
station was reached.
The scenery along the river, until
the ascent Of the hills commences, is
of the finest character, and would
afford ample scope for the pencil of
the artistsupplying better views than
any Of the fancied pictures of Ar
eadian beauty. But when the as
cent commences, the scene changes,
and all the smoothness and freshness
of the rolling landscape below, is
merged into the rougher scenery of
the rugged hills, wild with the gran
deur of primeval forests. With each
mile of ascent, civilization seems to
be receding, with here and there on
ly little clearing, to indicate that
We are not yet beyond its limits. A
log hut here, and an old frame there.
blackened by the rain, and storms.
and smoke of half a century, per-
baps, with no ensignia of thrift
about either, relieves but does not |
enliven the monotony of the way. |
Occasionally defunct village, with
a few old time houses, is found |
struggling among the hills, and
speedily left behind, but nowhere,
until we reach
GRAFTON
is there any evidence that the peo-
pie belong to the great world, or
have any part in its destinies. Att
haf-past nine the whistle sounds
"down brakes" and we slowly ap-
proach the station. Every one is
on his feet at the announcement of
twenty-five minutes for breakfast"
and files out Of the car as speedily
as possible, the band bringing up the
rear, in their snowy attire, and the
hills soon echo with delightful
strains which they know so well how
to blow from their fine instruments.
The music over, rush is made for
The breakfast table, and a summary
disposal Of edibles commences.
Grafton is a village or city of be
tween three and four Thousand in
labltants, as we were informed by
one of the citizens, but We could not
otherwise have thought so. 1t is
scattered over the hillside, across
he river, up the creek, and down
he valley; and the houses in front
lide those behind, said our infor-
nant, and we were silenced. It is
he junction of the Parkersburg and
Wheeling branches of the road, and
stout iron bridge here spans the
iver over which the trains pass for
hose localities.
We had passed through several h
unnels before reaching Grafton q
ne of them quite long, but it was a
OF until we left that city that we Z.
assed through any very lengthy d
mes. The longest on the road is h
'ut few miles beyond the city, and Il
about two thirds Of a mile in n
sngth' The engine vanishes from q
lght' the train.rushes into the vor
ex after it, and both together 90
lowing through the bowels of tho ia
arth, shrouded in the gloom of Mt m N
sr darkness. Reading is suspended nj
be noisy mirth of the euchre party. y,
nd the devotees Of "old sledge" and yc
sixty-six," is for the moment hush ~
d, and the passengers impatiently tt
wait "more light" and a sigh of re- Of
ef escapes them as the first glimmer :,
Ills upon the retins. We had been - -