Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-01-23
Letter from St. Louis.
Night on the Riyer-PrOgPess of the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. University Club
Var. ShIppen ina 1T. LOuis-WashingtO
UniVersIty-The Germans Won't 90 with
Schurz.
ST. LOUIS, Jan. II, 1872.

ST. LOUIS, Jan. II, 1872
The traveller who visits this city and fails to
go, at night, by ferry boat, over the Mississippi
to the Illinois shore and back misses one of the
sights peculiar to st. Louis. Not long since
business led me to take such a trip, and its pc
cuIiarites seemed to me more marked than ever
before The night was dark and gloomy, the
atmosphere raw and chilly, foreboding a snow
storm; the river, full of floating ice, hurried
along by the swift current to a warmer latitude.
The darkness was relieved only by the lights of
various colors, displayed as signals, upon the
boats which lined the leyee for a mile entered
the ferry boat a few moments before the time
for starting, and the confusion incident to the
descent of the steep levee and entrance upon the
boat of medley Of teams, among which were
half dozen of the long transfer busses, peculiar
to the western cities, filed with passengers for
the eastern bound trains. The tumult caused
by the rafting of the wheels, the braying
of the mules, the stamping of the
horses, and the swearing of the drivers
ceased as the boat swung off from
the levce, the doors Of the fire boxes were
closed, which had been opened to lend the aid
Of the Iurid glare of the flames in lighting up
tile scene; and for moment all was quiet save
the rush of water at the side of the boat and the
slow movement of the engine, when shrieks re-
sounded through the darkness, the cry 'some-
body overheard" was heard; the boat stopped;
passengers rushed to the stern to learn from an
almost frantic lady that her friend had, in her
haste, stepped off the boat instead of upon it,
and was then rods below us under the ice or
one of the boats that lay down the stream.
The darkness, the current, the ice, rendered
all search unayailug, and the poor woman was
left to her fate. From the sensations caused by
the sad event with its attendant circumstances
was unable 10 recover for days On the return
trip, the only excitement was the playing of a
fiddle in true plantation style by coal black
negro, and the dancing to his accompaniment of
a poor fellow who had "smiled" at one of the
numerous saloons of East st. Louis once too
often. The evenings trip might furnish text
for many sermon.
Such accidents as the one which have men
toned are common, in spite of all the care of
the officials at the landing, and make us long
for the completion of the noble structure which
is to do SO much for our city.
The blockade Of few days, which occurredla
short time since, caused by the formation of an
ice gorge above the piers, made all realize more
and more the great need of the easy means of
crossing which the bridge win afford. The chief
engineer, Capt. Jas. b. Eads, issued his annual
report few weeks ago, and gave in it an inter-
esting account Of the progress made during the
last year, and promise of a speedy and sue,
cessful completion of the work, probably during
the year 1872.
Even this is expected to be insufficient to meet
the demands of the vast trade which st. Louis
is gaining, and the erection of one and perhaps
two more bridges will be only a question of
tme-and short time, too.
In the meantime we will be thankful for one
bridge, and boast of it as wonderful triumph
Of the perseverance and genius Of man over an
accumulation of natural difficulties almost
beyond belief.
The Grand Duke Alexis found the bridge of
great interest, and spent an entire morning in
examining its plans and the work itself
His visit here, if we may believe him, was one
Of great enjoyment to himself and suite, and he
intends remaining here few days on his return
from the buffalo hunting grounds. OF the burn
ing iealouses, the bitter feelings and wounded
hearts which he left behind him among the FASH
ionabes, ! need not speak. He impressed me,
however, as a Sensible young man and that
must be reckoned as high praise, OF course, the
usual amount ~ toadying was done, snobs showed
their bringing up, and fools their lqy, as must
always be the case when we wished TO show
titled iorcgnef What il is TO live in a republic.
That goes without saying. The several hundred
gtadnales OF various institutions of learning,
residing In this city, EaYe been much interested
Of late IN the forWatIpn OLA university Club"
made ~ Of collegemen Of all ares and from
many colleges. Two meetings have been held.
Of the second ofwhich II constitution WINS odnnt
ed and formal organization effected, The oh.
jccts Of The club are TO socqre the enjoyment
which must conc from the social union of men
Of eougeniai tastes, aud to endeayor, by the con-
centrated effort thus made possible, to further
= use Of culture and general progress in the
10 N salt an osfo2f the literally educated men of
ESTABLISHED IN 1S3S.M9 p earnest,
II Dealer in Fancy Goods, Toys and uscul A2il the
Umbrellas and pafasols Repaired Pinklng in a M
| Der 81 styles, stamping Tor Embroidery.
Agency Of the French Dye House, VI Boston, Goods
| sem 10 the Dye House. on Fridays.
observe the sign OF "The Variety Store No 22b
Man street, nearly opposite the QuInslGamond Bank.