The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1875-08-27
AsAesson Tauxhs BY she 1RsEae ~
OF a yirginian VINO went West.
K,Na W1ILTAx COUNTY. .YA..

OF 70 EirElnlAM VINO WsHs w ssSss ss
ENFIELD, HING WILLrAx COUNTY. :YA.,,
49, August Is, 1876.
Editors Of the Dispatch: In order 70 re;
turn my most sincere and heartfelt thanks to
the few kind strangers with whom met du.
ring my recent trip West, you will greatly
oblige me BY giving space 10 che following
article In your most Invaluable columns.
On the 14tb Of July started from the
house of my father for the Westin search Of
employment. l bought ticket In Rich.
mond through to Cincinnati by way of the
Chesapeake and Ohio raiiroad, at which place
arrived 10 safety on the 22d. Finding times
very dull, and no chance OF getting situa-
ton, | resolved TO continue my travels
farther West, with the hope OF hndtns en-.
ploymen,. | therefore took steamboat pas
sage down the Ohio, trying In vain from
town to town until reached Cairo. from
which place took passage to ST. Louis; ana
upon reaching that place had the great ms.
fortune of being taken very sick, having
contracted deep cold on my way there, and
with only fifty. seven cents in my pocket. /
was escorted to the Black Bear Hotel, on
north Second street, where changed my
clothes and took q ten cent luGch. Leaving
ms va|Sc with the proprietor l started out
to find, if possible, something to do; but my
efforts were in vaiD. Returned to The hotel
with sad and heavy hesrt to get my vAlise
and start, I knew not where. Upon asking
for nv vslise l was required to pay twenty
FIVE cents for the trouble Of keeping 1t few
hours. Now had only seventeen cents left, be.
ing very sick, nearly blind, among strangers,
and about a thousand miles from home. /
started across the grand suspension
bridge with nv face homeward. Upon
reaching the toll.man, had to pay him five
cents to cross and finding there, like my
self. an unfortunate traveller, | also paid for
him. This left me only seven cents. You
can only imagine mg feelings in this awful
state of suspense; but 1t is surely true that
the Lord will never iorsake those who put
their trust in Him, and deiverance was near
nc hand. | had only to cross the bridge
when found it. Here l stopped gentle
man 10 inauirc the nearest route to Cincln.
natl, ard upon telling him my situation he
aided me in getting passage over the y. aud
NJ railroad TO Cincinnati, and also gave me my
supper. ut once took the through freight,
and, after travelling two nights and day,
arrived 10 Cincinnati Saturday morning,
July 31s. After spending my last seven
cents for little bread, / went aboard OF the
steamer Fleetwood, which connects with
the Chesa peakc and Ohio railroad told the
Captain my situation, and asked for passage
to Huntington, but was positively denied.
and had to put my valise in pawn to get
deck passage. The fare being one dollar l
was forced to sell an excellent coat for that
small sum in order to pay my passage.
Ireached Huntington the following Sun
dsy morning about 9 O'clock. Having set
nv feet once more upon the shores OF Fir-
yinia, although now quite sick and almost en-
TREY blind, | could hardly refrain from leap
ing with JOY. Here felt that would meet
with kind friends. Nor was disappointed
in NY expectations, for was taken by gen.
tleman to bis home and kindly provided for.
| also met with many DINER generous
strangers, among whom was Mr. hady, a
Young Ia wyer, and DR.. Saunders, OF HUNTING
ton. The latter very generously rendered
me all the medical assistance that was 10 his
power. With the aid of these kind strangers
received passage to Hanover courthouse,
that being the nearest point to my fathers.
| now EN- parked on Tuesday the 10th on a
through train, aud upon reaching hanawha
Falls the train received orders TO return TO
Charleston on account OF the carng in OF
the Big Beud tunnel. l was again thrown
into an awful state of suspense, and was as
sisted from the train by the brakeman and
carried to the steps OF the kansWha
Falls Hotel, upon which | took seat.
After sitting there few minutes, in silent
prayer TO God, my kind benefactor came to
hand and accosted me with these words {:
"Why do you not 90 in the porch?" l told
him that was blind, and could not hud my
way without assistance. Upon hearing this
he assisted me into The porch and gave me a
seat, and inquired 10 know if | was in need
of ANYTHING. I could not learn the name Of
this gentleman, but he is operating for the
CbtsipCske and Ohio Railroad Company at
Kanawha Falls and should this article come
under his notice he will be assured that he
will never be forgotten by me; and also
those very generous gentlemen. Mes'ra. Fey
ton d johnson, the proprietors OF the hama
wha Falls Hotel, who very generously gave
me my meals aud lodging through pure
kindness and sympathy tor me, as they were
not asked to do 80. Here l also met one OF
the most amiable and generous ladies' lever
met with. She took great interest i'm me,
and also made me q little present, which
snall ever keep in memory OF her. learned
that the name of the lady was Miss Frank.
lin, who has an interest iu the Blind Asylum
Of Ohio. May the Lord bless and prolong
the life of this good lady, as it seems to he
her sole object TO benefit and gladden. the
hearts OF the poor and oppressed.
took the train on the following day about
| O'Clock. as the tunnel was now clear, ana
reached Hanover Courthouse about 10 O'Clock
Thursday morning. Here livery fortunately
found my brotherin.law's wagon. Getting
sboard of that, and after few hours ride |
fourd myself in the fond embrace OF my
dear wife.
With many sincere thanks to those Kind
friends, and also the polite conductors OF the
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad, will no"
close this article, hoping, should | never
meet them on earth again, that may meet
them in Heaven.
Very truly, yours, &c.,
JAMES NJ. COSBY.