The Van Buren press., 1879-07-19
THE PRESS EXCURSION.
What was seen by the Way.

10 meet MISS Sahdnls, sister OF Mr. Mont. san
dals who was returning to her home at Swa.
nee, Tehn after a short visit to her brother
aud sister at Fort Smith The others wer,
of to join Col Donan's Press Excursion at
| Little Rock. At Alma, the representatives oil
the Democrat and Sentinel, OF Fayetteville
Joined us. At Ozark. Mr.. c. Colburn Of the
Democrat, was added to the already gather
Ing crowd. At Altus, the younger Mr.. Moore
Of the Boonyille Enterprise. and Mr.. Meken-
non, representing the Recorder got on. At
Chrksville, Col. Arch. MeKennon put in an
| appearance for the Herald.
! Stopping at Russellvile, for dinner, our
party was reinforced by DR.. Mcclure and
bright little daughter. Mr.. Morris. Prof Nor.
row. and several others, and Judge Boles and
family who were on their way for an Eastern
trip. All the papers along the road were well
represented and by the time we reached Lit
tie Rock, which we did on time, our train
presented quite the appearance of an ex-
cursion itself.
At Little Rock we found n good number
/ of the citizens preparing for the excursion,
and those that were not going, in 1lntter of
excitement to find out who were and who
they Were going with Their curiosity was
gratiled at the Union Depot on Tuesday, for
long before train time the crowd commenced
gathering. The exeursionists." for fear of
being left, and their friends with them, to
wish them pleasant trip and safe return
Thanks to kind friends, we arrived safely and
in time to learn that the train was an hour
late But the time passed quickly in meeting
friends and making final arrangements. We
were uncer the escort of Col Frolich, Sec, of
State and his accomplished wife, who already
had quite lumber under their prote sting
wings. Miss Lou, Finley of Memphis, sister
of Mrs Frolich and Miss Sue. Turner of Lit
tie Rock were among the party, also, Col
rs. sweet little daughter Pearl. The train
rived about $3.50, and was quickly filed
every one anxious to secure seats in the ele-
CANT Pullman Palace Sleepers," the officers
of the road had furnished for our comfort.
Owing to an accident on the road the day
before, the Southern train was not able to
bring in one Of their extra large sleepers "
which had been engaged, and some trouble
was expected In finding seats for so many,
but thanks TO General Passenger Agent Rug
giles, we were all comfortably and sa,isfacto-
rily seated and the train moved off. Crossing
the bridge, we stopped a few minutes mt Bar
ing Cross. where we picked up few strag-
CLING editors from the Fort Smith road, and
were soon started on our journey with one f
the ioliest crowds ever passed over Barring
Cross Bridge.
The party in our coach, was very pleasant
and agreeable and made time fly quickly.
Mr. and Mrs. Essex, Misses Worthen and Adj
amson, Mr. and Mrs. Knapp. Mr.. and Mrs.
Palmer Col. Hartman and family, Judge Mar
tin and Miss Annie, and Miss Mary Smith of
Little Rock, Mr.. Jobe and wife of Russelville,
DR.. Mcclure and daughter Of Dardanelle. Mr.,
and Mrs. Humphreys and Mr. Maxwell of
Hope composed the party. and with visiting
friends from other Coaches we We're pleasant
ly occupied till we reached kenset, where we
were Joined by Miss. Lizzie, Moore of Searcv,
another OF Col. Frolich's charges.
The next place of interest to us was Wal
nut Ridge, where, we had been told, the X. r.
Company had prepared supper for us; but we
were also told it would be / | O'Clock before
we reached it, Some of our party were mu-
sicians and their sweet music added greatly
to the pleasure of the evening. Walnut
Ridge was reached and all invited to supper. -.
The large dining hall was soon filled with
crowd that could fully appreciate the delica-
cies set before them, and from the satisfied
expression that gradually spread over their
faces, one could plainly see they were all
glad they were one of the excursonists
When we left the dining room we found
another Sleeper and an extra engine had
been added to our already long train and we
were soon speeding on our way again.
Gen Chas. Cofiin-representing we can't
begin to remember the number of papers
Joined us during supper and met with hear
ty reception from all his friends who were
delighted to- receive such an acquisition to
the party.
From the time OF leaving Walnut Ridge till
sunrise next morning very little note of what
trans3ired was taken. But adj awoke early
and were soon prepared for the great event
OF the day--the arrival in st. Louis. which we
supposed would be early. but soon found out
we were several hours late and so commenced
at once to put as much enjoyment as posi-
BILE into the few remaining hours. BEFORE
reaching st. Louis the following resolutions
were passed;
Resolved, That our most grateful acknowledge
ments are due and hereby rendered to Col A. v. .
Soper, Superintendent, and Col. L.. A. Ford gener-
era passenger agent. of the st, Lcuis, Iron Noun
tain and Great southern Railroad. Tor their kind
In tendtfiGR this excursion to the Press of Ar
kansas, and the generous and assiduous care with
which its every detail has been carried out in order
to conducs to our comfort aud enjoyment
Resolved, That to the unwearyng efforts and at
tentions Of q W. Ruegles, Esq. general passenger
agent. and the palnstaking Gbers of VIM Hooker
ESD. ticket agent at Little Rock. and Capt. II.
Pratt, conductor, much Of the success and pleasure
Of our trip thus far is due, and we hereby assure
them of our high appreciation and grateful remcm-
brance.
At Carondelet which we reached about 10,
permission was received iron Supt. Soper to
take the whole train into Union Depot it be-
ing TIE longest passenger train ever taken
into st, Louis from the South or West,
Crowds gathered on all the streets to watch
it pass.
Carriages, furnished by the kind generosity
of the st. Louis people awaited rs at Union
Depot and in short time we were at the
LindelL the handsorest hotel in the city.
After breakfast, which was ready on the ar
rival of tie train, the eXcursonists repaired
to their rooms TO prepare for the days pro-
gramme.
AT O'Clock the Merchants Exchange was