Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1874-10-22
HAGERsTowN, Mp, Oct. 10th, 1874.


As it has been A long time
since visited old Woodstock, tc which
my recoliections cling SO fonhly, feel dis
posed, like a returned wandercr and trav-
eler amidst the scenes and situations OF
the far West, to give some sketch of my
wanderings.
Having been few years since engaged
| as a travelling agent for s. Vanneter. Of
Martinsburg, in tie course of my BUSH
ness became quite familiar with the sur
rounding counties in Maryland and Vir
ginia and the many estinable and aniable
ladies and gentlemen who reside therein.
About ToAhr years since sta rtea on my
Western trip, and made my first halt at
Mansfield, Riehiand county, Ohio, where
! for some two years remained iii the, en-
ploynent Of AuItmar Z Tavler, manuflc-
tureis of agricultural implements. The
people there are full of life and business.
but 4 could not refrain from the constant
remembrance OF those in Woodstock whom
had left behind. l thought o. my:elf
pretty much as the poet Goldsmith speaks
of another traveller in apostrephizing,
Sweet Auburn (Woodstock) loveliest vii
lage of the plain" exclaims Il dragged at
each remove frightening chain.''
From Mansfield l started on a tour to
the Tar West and was in the employ of the
Union Pacific Railroad Company Ill their
machine worms at North Platte, Nebraska,
and Cheyenne, Wyoming Territory. From
Cheyenne went to Denver. in Colorado,
still in my same employment. From
Cheyenne. took tour of inspection irto
the mysterious land of the FIop1lesS Brig
haam and remained at Ogden tor about
month, but distinctly wish any OF my fair
readers who may remember me, to under
stand that [ never was sealed" and that
came out OF that land of many wives, with
out even the consolation of one loving COM
panion.
From Ogden went to Sacramento, Call
iforl,ia by the Union Pacific Railroad.
crossing the Sierra Nevada mountains.
where the attention of every one Will be
directed to the snow sheds. which extend
for several miles along the track. in order
to protect it from the heavy SHOWS of win
ter. After a night at San Francisco. l
went by steamer to Fort Yuma, on the
Gulf of California, probably the Lote It
place this side of-oh Messrs. Editors,
was pretty near using a bad word that
time. 1t was Ground Hog Day." Feb.
I'd, when arrived and the weather was
so hot that the soldiers had to be protected
by awnings in walking their beats.
Not wishing to be melted away in mid
winter, staid at Fort Yuma only but four
days, and then returned to San Francisco,
of whose gaieties and wonderful progress
the world is too wesl aware to -s5eed any
further calculation from my pen.
Nov my heart began TO ycarn to revisit
once mare the scenes ofmv boVhood. away
across the continent, aud in the fall turn
ell my face Eastward. over the sane route
that had before travelled, and went as
far as Burlington, where stopped for two
years. From there struck '.bce line"
for my Old sliome i'll Jamestown. Washing
ton county. Md, where | arrived but n
week or two since. reioiced to find most of
my Old friends alive and well, especially
Ben. South aud Fris. Knode. hope soon
to see my friends in Woodstock and grasp
them by the hand,-Hugh Logan. with
his jolly face, Neff, with his smiling coun-
tenance, and to the ladies, God bless them,
sweet everywhere. but especially in Wood
stock. l am afraid to commit myself fur
Their. W.