The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1875-08-26
The Niagara Excursion.

ganized by appointing the Rev. VIM.
Martin, president, and j. o. W.
Bailey, secretary. After dis
cussiou as to the manner of conducting
the affair in hand, o committee consist
ing of w. H. Osterhout, \. s. Hartley
and j. o. w. Bailey wds appointed to
have the control of the matter, August
11th vas fixed upon as the day for the
proposed excursion, but the time was
finally extended to the 10Th. Mean
time the committee, assisted by Rev.
Martin, had made all necessary arrange
ments with the railroad officials for cars
tickets &c. The day at last arrived and
at an early hour of the morning of the
10Th inst, horns were blowing and
bells ringing to arouse the people in
time for the train which was due at
this place at $40 P. NJ. As the time
drew near, about one hundred and
thirty persons we're assembled at the
depot, with provisions Tor the day stored
away in numerous baskets and the Ridg-
way band in full uniform was present
discoursing music to those patiently
awaiting the arrival of the train, which
put in an appearance at six o'clock.
The excursionists from Kane, Wilcox
and Wilmarth, were soon greeted by the
entrance Of the Rdgway party, and all
found that the three cars were none to
large to contain the party. At Dagusca-
honda, about twenty more were ADDED
to the party aud at St. Marys about the
same number. With the cars filled at
Ridgway the advent of forty more at
the two points last named OF course lit
terally filled them to overhowing, and
the overflow was towards the baggage
car, which was soon filled by musicians
and others, who kept up pretty fair
calathumpian serenade until the arrival
of the train at Emporium. Here extra
cars were awaiting US, and nearly a car
load of happy ticket holders for the
Falls. While the train was making up
at this point the band performed a few
airs on the platform oc the depot. We
were soou under way again with two en-
gines to take us up the steep grade to
the sumit, which was reached without
delay or accident, and we we're soon
whirling along at forty miles an hour
toward the mighty cataract. One or
two stops for water, were made, when
we were informed that in halt an hour
we would reach Buffalo, but that halc
hour continued full seventy-fve minutes,
for the engine pump gave out and
twice the train was stopped to repair
damages. About eleven o'clock we ar
rived at buffalo where another engine
replaced the crippled one, and we were
All expecting that we would soon be
made happy by forward movement.
but the railroad officials cody informed
US that We would be held one hour for
another excursion TO arrive. which
would be attached to our train. As we
had chartered this train and paid an
exhorbitant price for it before starting
we naturally felt that we had right to
control it, and were naturally indignant
at this action of the r. II. officials. We
might however have withheld our in
dignation, for Of course we had to wait,
and at last We had twelve passenger
coaches and baggage car coupled to
our train, and with TWO engines we were
again on the move. We soon came 10
sight of the Niagara river, and all felt
that our journey was almost ended when
the rapids came in sight and the
waters were seen rapidly rushing
towards the point where the final plunge
is made over the precipice. We soon
halted at the depot aud quickly formed
in column with the band at the head,
and marched to prospect park. Once in
the park all order ceased, and small par
ties of our excursionists were soon
vending their way TO the various points
of interest. l can only trace the route
of party of four consisting Of three
young ladies and myself. We first
visited prospect point where we had
the first view of the falls. Thence to
the inclined plane which we descended
after patiently waiting for our turn. Ar
rived at the bottom we walked out into
mist at the bottom of the falls, were
thoroughly wet, and returned happy.
Up the inclined plane again, across the
park, to the suspension bridge, over to
Canada, where We had the best view OF
the "fallS" and into the museum with
its thousands of curosities. Here we
MADE the acquaintance of a gentleman
from Egypt, who figured in the busy
scenes OF life thirty three hundred years
ago; he was not very soclable and re-
minded one of Mark Twains dried con-
vent fruit. Having passed through the
museum, and the gardens adjoining, we
again crossed tie suspension bridge, to
the park, where we rested and idled
about until The time for departure, seven
O'Clock arrived. We we're tired enough
without visit to Goat Island. In fact
we all tried to see how much we could
see in the least possible time. If l had
command of one page of your paper
could give some description of sights
seen but space is limited, and it would
alter all be an old story. Here we are
seated in the cars again tired and
hungry, out come the baskets again and
the provisions are demolished as only a
lot OF hungry excursionists can do it.
Again we are DELAYED an hour FOR some