The Van Buren press., 1879-07-19


were Joined by aparty ofCol. Donan's friends
whose company we enjoyed very much.
At the request of Mr.. Webber, Sec. of the
Arkansas Press Association, subscription
had been taken up to reward Col. Donan, IN
"A measure. for his untirng eXertions in ma
king the excursion so successful and also tf
buy cane for Hon. Potter Palmer.
On account of pressing business Mr.. Web
Der was obliged to return from st. Louis, bu'
before leaving he was presented with hand
some cane In acknowledgement of the valua-
BILE services he had rendered.
At0A. VI. Thursday we were on our way tt
Chicago, comfortably seated in the handsome
Coaches OF the Chicago and Alton road.
Soon after starting the lamps were lit, wiz
dows closed and preparations made for pass
ing through the tunnel which IL a very long
one and to us shut up in close ear, seemed
last and We're soon on the great bridge from
which we had good view OF the city.
Each passenger is required to pay 25 cts
for crossing the bridge, which is collected by
the Bridge Company, but as 1t was supposed
to be the first trip over of the Arkansas edit
ors they were given a free ride for which
the company has our thanks.
The Chicago and Alton X. X. is one of the
best in the United States 1t is a double track
and steel rails. The Sleeping and Dining
Coaches are elegantly furnished and the Day
Coaches are the most completely and comfort
ably furnished we ever rode in. Besides all
these attractions it passes through most
beautiful country.
To us who lived in the mountains of Arkan-
sas. the miles and miles of prairie was won
dcrful ,ight. The ride through Illinois was
something entirely new to us, and consequent
ly full of interest. The immense fields OF
wheat and corn, as smooth as floor, hedged
with Mock Orange trees in the place of fences,
all in the highest state Of cultivation were
things we could never tire OF admiring.
And then the handsome faim-h houses sur
rounded by well cultivated gardens and orch
ards, were so entirely different from what
zoe know country life to be, it was hard re-
cognizing it as SUCH flour farmers could only
go on an excursion through that country, it
would be of the greatest benefit to them; for
our State, in natural advantages can compare
favorably with any of them.
Alton is a beautiful city of about 10,0Ov in
habitants. The State House at Springfield, Is
n magnificent building, S3,000,00o has already
been expended on it, and is not yet complet-
ed The dining ears were taken on at Sprig-
field and an elegant dinner served for the eN-
cursioniSts by the Railroad Company, free
who by this time began to think themselves
the greatest people in the world. Thc dinner
was of the incest kind, and served as well as
at any irst-class hotel. 1t was enjoyed by
all, and to majority was quite novel thing
to be dining while travelling at the rate of
forty miles all hour. Two hundred and six
teen dined that day; the largest party that
ever took dinner ON the cars at one time.
The towns all along the line Of railroad
seem to be In most iiourishing condition,
and have great many handsome, substan-
tial buildings. Bloomington is quite a large
city.
We reached Joliet, after dark, and could
not form much of an idea of it, only from
the lights and noise which seemed to belong
to a city. The whole, State is perfect nett
WORK of railroads, and were crossing our ROAD
every few miles, and running in every dircc-
ton.
We had the pleasure Of meeting Col. James
Carlton, General Passenger Agent OF this
road. who, by his presence, added much plea
sure to the already charming day. Another
pleasure of the day was exchanging visits
with friends in the other cars.
As we neared Chicago, the train became
very crowded with parties going in for tho
4th.
We reached the city at 10: 30 p. m, and
found buses, kindly furnished by MIR. Frank
Parmee. at the depot, to take rs to the Palm
er House. There supper was prepared for us
and we were ushered into the most magniti'
cent dining-hall we had ever seen. 1t is com
posed of marble, mirrors, frescoed ceiling. aRC
everything so beautiful one almost forget'
what the room is for; but VIC were soon SC
much interested in what was set before, thai
We forgot, for the moment, our elegant sur
roundings. The whole building is of tho
grandest structure, and furnished like IA pal
ace. The arrangements and accommodations
for guests are perfect. There is nothing want
ing, You have everything that heart coulC
wish.
As one of the gentlemen of our party, eN-
pressed himself. on the morning after arrlv'
ing: dreampt dwelt in marble halls, ant
awoke at the Palmer House" That building
alone is worth going to Chicago to see.
After good rights rest, and hearty break.
fast, the morning found ali ready to see tht
sights, which are altogether too numerous tc
be seen in such a short time; but our deter
mination was great and we made the best
use of our time. We drove down by the
Lake, which is Chicagos greatest beauty, t.
Lincoln Park. through the principal Ave.
nues, down the Boulevard to South Park
back TO Aldine Square, to the water works
Races, Union and Dexter Parks. and to many
other attractive parts of the city, and al
agreed that It was wonderfully beautiful
place At G p. m, we all gathered in the par
lors, to meet Mr.. Palmer whom we were very
anxious to see. After being introduced to
the party, Col. Donan, in a brief speech, in
behalf of the txcursonists. presented him
with a cane, which Mr.. Palmer acknowledge
ed in n very graceful and easy manner. A
vote OF thanks was then read by Mr.. Coffin
and resolutions passed;
Resolved That our warncst thanks arc due Il
General Manager J. q. McMullin, General Superin-
tendent an orne @ ana Ssine SeneTa patssn1gs G 1or
rairod. for the kindness, which rendered US triI