The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1875-05-07
LARAMIE, WYomSo, April q, 1875.


migrants that left Decatur on the mail train Of
Wednesday, the 14th inst. We had a first-clasl
ar from the Chicago, Burlington a Quincy r
r.. the oaly objection to ii being that it hat
nut twenty-five seats while our party numbered
''venty-sght. There we're two other tickets
l'urchasedby persons outside our party, who
'aought 1T would be pleasant to travel on the
lme train with US. Quite large crowd gath
rcd at the depot to say their "good byee, and
occasionally tear was shed but it was graft
ang to feel that none were shed for me- l am
90 tender-hearted to wish to cause any sad re-
.;rets AT a few minutes after three O'Clock
o ~, the bell rang and we we're on our way for
afornia. At few points on the road to
i'hicago We picked up members OF our party
'aat did not come to Decatur TO start We did
not change cars at Chicago and only remained
fdere a SHORT time, az we we're attached to the
Pacific Express which left at 10 p. NJ. Our trip
3D. Omaha was pleasant one and the company
yas unusually cheerful. Although We were in
formed thai we would not have to change cars
antil we reached Omaha, still we found that
~ passengers change cars at Council Bluffs and
also at Omaha, as the transfer is done by
,eparate company, owning the bridge. We ar
rived at Council Bluffs little before one o'clock
,riday morning, and the transfer was accom-
pshed between one and two. As we got of
,ae cars al th e depot we heard a man cry, "all
out first aad second-class passengers pass down
tne platform to the further light" Under
Standing this to mean us, we started for the
-,Ilnls Light arriving there, we found the
- y
,srahvely ueat and comfortable, and we were
offered beds at twenty-five cents for each per-
1on, which some OF our party accepted but the
majority chose to sit around the stove till day
Ight. We learned by rumor that there was
lood on Bitter Creek, which had swept away
"he bridge and it could not be repaired until
he water subsidized. and we would probably
aave to remain here three or four days, We
paid but little attention to this, knowing that
Shenwe could see the General Superintendent
~e should learn the facts. When Mr.. Hodges
went to see the Sup't went with him. We
ound Mr.. Kimball seated by the stove in his
sfice. Mr.. Hodges walked up and handed him
letter, which he read and then said very
pleasantly: We'll, Mr.. Hodges, you have come
on7in rather a bad time. There ia a serious
break in our road at Bitter Creek and so many
u our cars are on the other eide that it will be
ihfhcult to furnish you car, but we will do the
SJest we can for you. We have telegraphed to
fis superintendent OF the Chicago, Burlington
Quincy X. 2. to see Il he will let US have the
car you came il. apd By two O'Clock | shall
know. 1t MAJ be a Say or two before we can
send you ont"
We learned from him that there were several |
freaks IN the road but they were being repaired |
rapidly. Finding that we must stay IN Omaha
day or two at least, and perhaps more, we be-
gan to consult IN regard to what 1t would be
best TO do AS each train arrived from the east
a crowd OF emigrants rushed TO the Emigrant's |
Home, and 1t soon became apparent that it |
would be uncomfortable staying there. sug-
gested the idea that we find room we could |
vent. large enough For all. A room was found
FURNISHED with wood and lights at five dollars
day. and before night Our luggage was moved
to it and we had a hotel Of our own. The ladies
Of our party. however went to public house
We were disgusted with the appearance OF
Omaha, aud regretted the probability of being |
obliged to remain there for days. 1t ID a busi-
ness place and has many fine buildings, but 80
little pains has been taken to Tx up the streets
and sidewalks that visitors from the east are
worry unfavorably impressed with the appear
ance of the place. During the day the rumors
OF the break in the road reached the size Of
sixty miles submerge The next morning,
about nine o'clock, we received orders from
Mr.. Hodges to pack up and go to the depot as
we would leave on the 1130 train. We did 80,
but the tram did not leave until four o'clock
There is very heavy emigration to the west,
mostly TO California. The Sup't procured US a
car from the b. q Q. road and policeman
kept the crowd back until our company we're
seated, and then few other passengers were
allowed 20 get into our car. We appreciated
this favor from the policeman, as there was a
regular Jam on the platform and we could not
all have gotten into the same Car without bis
assistance A ride Of 20 hours brought us to
Cheyenne here we were switched on to the
sidetrack and informed that we would have to
remain day or two, but we did not leave there
until Wednesday morning, just before sunrise.
Cheyenne is in appearance much superior TO
Omaha. and being the junction OF the Denver
L dCluC I've W. IL very IuIlNinS CITY, ~ 10 pAt-
uated on an extensive plain. and the surface OF
the soil being fine gravel the streets are never
muddybut always present neat appearance.
About q mile and q half to the north (not in
aght) as a small lake well supplied with boats
for pleasure riding, and farther on are the first
of the Black Hills. Fort Russell is about three
miles northwest and in sight, and connected
by telegraph; twelve companies Of soldiers are
said 20 be stationed there. A small creek en-
circles the city on the west and south, and DIS
appears in the distance to the east. Our party
kept cheerful spirit, although some passengers
were heard to use very strong language in con-
demning the railroad company, when they
seemed to be doing all they could for the COM
fort Of the passengers, by giving them tickets
for meals at the hotel at the depot.
Early Wednesday morning we were on our
way again, and ride OF 33 miles brought us to
Sherman, the highest point on the U. P. r. r.,
62i2 feet above the sea. Although from Omaha
to sherman we have raised 7277 feet, yet the
rise has been so gradual 1t was scarcely per-
ceDfthta va oplv y,o3a n abo-t 10 hara and