The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-07-12

was very attentive, and gave us full ac.
count of the doings at the stock yard.
Here is large hotel, daily newspaper,
telegraph wires to every city in the coun-
try, immense enclosures for hogs and cat
tie, covering $40 acres Of land the sales
Of which amount to millions annually.
Chicago is more substantially built now
than before the FIRE, and many new build
ings are being erected.
1t was proposed to spend two days in
Chicago, and leave on Wednesday night
for Pittsburg, but all were desirous of see
ing the great "sea Of land as the prairies
are called, so we started at o'clock for
Pittsburg, 400 miles distant, which was
reached at 2 on Thursday morning Mr.
Samuel DeFord, Jr. Southeastern Agent
Of Pennsylvania Central, at Baltimore,
took possession Of us at Chicago, and
knowing that Editors prefer comfortable
beds to the ordinary car seats, provided
two Pullman palace sleeping cars for our
accommodation, in which we remained af-
ter our arrival at Pittsburg. This Rail-
road Company has excellent hotels along
their route, and ample time is allowed pas
sengers to eat. At Fort Wayne we found
dinner in waiting, and Crestline supper.
Shortly after which our chamberlains, two
large, fine looking, well-developed, polite
negro men, soon prepared our "little beds, -
and all turned in for good nights rest,
which was much needed. The track is
composed Of steel rails, and scarcely any
jarring or rolling of ears was felt
After partaking of an excellent break
fast, Mr.. De Ford decided to give us a
special train, and also to show US what fast
running was, and the run to Altoona was
made without any stoppages. AT this place
are situated the Company's Shops, where
everything for use on the road, engines,
cars, repairs, &C., are made. They are
said to be the largest in the country; Mr..
Gardiner, Superintendent, and Mr.. Thomp-
son, master machinist, took us on a tour
Of inspection Of the locomotive works
foundries, brass and iron, after which din
ner was announced at the Logan House;
here we met our friend H. G. Dern, form
erly of Bruceville, this county, who is
publishing the neatest, spiciest daily, and
most interesting weekly, we know. on
course we visited his Office; well we will
not attempt description of it, but enough
to say is that nearly all the printing re.
quired by the Pennsylvania Central is done
here, and that is sufficient evidence Of il
capacity. After dinner the wood shops
were visited, and we saw how every part Of
a car was manufactured. One of the most
interesting sights was the testing of the
axles and the forcing of them into the
wheels by air pressure. Some idea of the
extent of these works may be obtained
when it is known that they occupy several
acres of land, and about 1000 men and
boys are constantly employed.
The scenery from Altoona to Harrisburg
is simply grand. Over mountains, from
which an extended view Of the country foi
miles could be obtained, and along rapid
dashing streams.
Our cars from Altoona to Baltimore
were just from the shops, and were used
for the first time by the Maryland Edito.
rial Association. Supper at Harrisburg
and rapid run landed US in Baltimore
at $50 P. N. on Thursday night.
We forgot to mention that on entering
our cars at Chicago we found a tub Of
ice, several baskets well packed with aro,c
DC, and cigars, furnished by the proprie-
tor of the Matterson House, and Mr.. VIM
Foley.
We have given above hastily written
account Of our trip, which extended over
a distance of nearly 5000 miles. No ac-
cident occurred, all connections were made
on time, and nothing transpired to maj
the pleasure of any. To the officers Of the
various railroads and citizens along the
line of the route the thanks Of the Asso-
citation are die, and will soon be put in a
tangible form by our Historiographer, Dr.
Bombaugh, and copies forwarded to each.