Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1876-07-27
WASHINGTON, ID. G.,
I,,l.y IT IRTE

Special to the JOURNAL.
Centennial correspondence.
WASHINGTON, ID. c.,
July ~, 1876.
Every one hears from Philadcl-
phia In these days, but few speak OF
their wanGcrings outside Of that
city. If IL pleascs you, you are wei
como tn my experience.
Leaving Chicago on the Pittsburg
and TT. Wayne railway, on the
morning of the 18th inst, our party
Of nine found themselves comfort
ably seated In palace car-the last
or the train, and flying along at tho
rate Of ~ miles per hour with tho
dust rising In such clouds from tho
sandy road-bcd as TO completely OBJ
scuro tho track over which we
passed, and making II rather un-
pleasant inside for some hours.
Just outside Of the city we had a
race with the Lake Shore railway,
which was exciting. Then we
passed through q marsh with miles
upon miles Of water lilies bordering
our way. During the remainder OF
tho day VIC were taking notes of the
northern part Of Indiana and Ohio
and comparing them with our own
States, Iowa and Illinois, always
layorably to the latter. The face of
tho soil is poorer and crops also. OF
course this Is not speaking for the
entire portion of these States, IA the
southern part Is not fair sample of
tho lower portion.
After passing warm night in
close berths, we were glad TO be
called at daybreak 10 enjoy some of
tho fine scenes OF the Alleghanies.
We crossed tho Coulmaugh several
times and tho Juniata twenty times
so we were told, but did not trouble
ourselves to count. Tho road does
not follow up the crooked course of
these streams, but runs straight
through their valleys, crossing and
recrossing them wherever they come
across the direct line.
There are two tracks all along
one to como on-one to go ON, so
that there Ii no danger Of collisions.
The eastern mountains compare
favorably with the western ranges.
There is not SO much grandeur about
them but they arc prettier. There Is
more variety OF scenery and Of col
oring amongst the trees, and ono can
soc over wider reaches az he passes
along. Being on the hindermost
car we crowded upon tho back plat
form admiring as we went, and the
beautiful pictures seen during that
ride can never be efraced
from our minds. Bat we were
much disappointed to sec tho "Blne
Juhiata" Of story and song, very
muddy from recent freslets. The
IL now much clearer
md looks moro attractive; II Is clot-
ed with innumerablc littlo green
patches, few OF them deserving the
lame of island, but which add much
q Tho oddity and beauty of the
view.
We reached Harrisburg about
loon, and then loft the through
rain for Philadelphia I'm order to-
lisit the seat of Government. IIay-
ny several hours To spend, after aro-
tho inner man" we wended
ur way to the State House To COM
'aro Pennsylvania capitol With
Lhers we had seen. AS II is veryII
Id building, We could not expect 10
20 the grandeur nor the freshness OF i
nr modern structures. Its chief at
raction is liz age, tho main part
aving been built In 1920. There
70 many curious things TO be seen.
ONE old historical pictures with one
lore modern the battle of Gettys-
arg, arc c0nspicuously hung in tho 3
brary. There is also sculpturcd | 4
,gle presented to the State in 1851 I
vi back of IL frame containing =
10 outlines of the faces Of the sign
. Of tho Declaration, with their
snatnres. In another room is tho
iginal copy Of the charter granted =
William Penn. Ii is decidedly !.
r>aatp remxi nu~ssfRss - ~
rhe fing room contains III deep 4
sich were carried during tho lalA
,r. Most of them arc old and z,
led, and sonnc ars dropping 70
sces. The library has 2s,000 vol
aos. The done Ii i0n feet IN I
irht and from il top WAS pointed n
4 10 IN tho hill To which lAao's y
NV advanced. Leaving this +
Illdlag wo entered another, which \
! been erected secentIy, and which =
,,,.,.l principally for oiii1s. Quo !
om only was Of interest 70 IA, IN =
II nre hung the portraits Of ell The =
,yernors up 10 tho last sleary, 3 J.
Il