The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1879-08-28
Ediiare Denlocrdt.

Dear srs-I intended to write you
Immediately on my arrival here, but Of
fcial duties with my company have en-
crossed my time to such an extent, that
only at this date do find time to carry
ont my promise to write,
When I left Pittsburgh I supposed
the principal part of my journey to this
post would be to San Francisco, although
the distance between the points men
toned is 2872 miles, yet on my arrival
ut the latter city discovered that the
Journey, SO far at least as the fatigue OF
the Journey is concerned, commenced
there on trip to this post, situated as it
is ina remote part Of Arizona.
In 1866, was stationed at Fort Kear-
ney, Nebraska. situated on the south side
of the Platte river. 1876 miles west from
Omaha. The Great Union Pacific at
that time was pushing its way westward
along the line of the Platte, making
rapid progress to join hands with the
Great Central Pacific, the latter pnshing
eastward from the Pacific at San Fran
cisco. At that time it was matter OF
speculation as to the relative value ofthe
land along the route, and to what extent
the country would be populated and how
soon-thousand were interested in the
matter therefore, l naturally looked for
ward with great and unusual interest to a
tr:p in anticipation. over the Great
bdys Continental route, and in November
last found myself on board of the
Grand Overland Train of the Union
Pacific at Omaha, destined to Ogden,
Utah Territory, it's terminus; at the
latter point to connect with the Central
Pacific for San Francisco. Leaving 0ma-
ha the rain consisted of three large bag.
gage and express cars, two elegant day
coaches and three Pullman passenger
sleepers drawn by one large first class,
powerful and magnificent locomotive
These sleepers, day coaches, baggage
and express cars go through the entire
distance to Ogden, distance often hun.
dred miles-the land of the Mormons
and within 36 miles of Salt Lake City
passengers are not required to change
cars until Ogden is reached. There is
but one regular through passenger train
over this great route daily from Omaha
10 San francisco, or rather from New
York to San Francisco, and likewise but
one daily east from San Francisco to
New York. 1t is looked upon by pass.
engers as no ordinary journey from
Omaha to San Francisco and, therefore,
considerable preparations are usually
made Dy the passengers before getting
aboard the cars for this long journey by
rail, and lunch baskets, bundles Of blank
cts, and other like preparation are very
prominent to view for an hour before the
departure Of the train; and from these
Preparations a stranger witnessing the
departure Of these trains make up very
properly their minds that the passengers,
evidently are starting out on long trip,
This preparation on the part Of almost
every passenger 30 far as well filed
lunch baskets, ETC., are concerned is to a
very certain extent, unnecessary, for
there are plenty of excellent accommo,
dations for subsistence on the entire
route to San Francisco-the traiA stops
regular three times a day-for breakfast,
dinner and supper at regular meal
stations, where without exception, ex.
ceIlent meals are provided from supplies
from the choicest markets on the CONT
nent; and plenty of time given to par
take Of them. Also at and between
these stations there are no scarcity of
places to get lunch II passengers so re-
duire it-coffee, tea, milk, meat, sand
wiChes, pies, cakes, ETC., including
plenty Of all kinds of choice ale, wines
and other liquors will be found 10
abundance, and all at very reasonable
rates and not much in excess of those
charged for similar articles on the
line of the Great Pennsylvania Gen..
trail The highest price for meals en-
route is one dollar. This is only where
the meat station is remote one from a
producing country. Inqmost instances
the price is seventy-fve cents, and as
Won near San Francisco only fifty cents
We left Omaha on Saturday at the usual
time, IL NJ, and soon our train was drlv-
ing westward over the once familiar
country to me, the wild and unsettled
prairies along the Platte river-for the
rugged Rockies and lofty Sierras.
The scenery very soon discovered was
very much changed, instead OF passing
over wild, barren, desolate, houseless
and trackless prairie, and seeing i'm
mense herds of the noble buffalo, focks
pfthe feet antelope and deer sporting
and roaming over them at will, with the
coWardlyg coyote sneaking along the
crest of the hills, I found the entire
country for miles, on each side of the
road, covered with gardens, farm and
cities extending as far as North Platte
City, q distance Of 291 miles from Omaha,
at the former point the mountain divis
ioE of,the road commences, and as night
had shut ont the scenery from view, |
had mo opportunity TO see what the
country presented for q distanCe beyond
but IA, give the reader an id ca Of the inn
proYsments in tbs, country along the
Eonte, IlWlll note the following, giving
distances from Omaha; sal lol dtnssDrs
Among the stations, town and cities
passed en.route. from Omaha to North
Platte City are Papillion, ID miles from
Omaha, county seat, with usual county.
seal buildings. population 1000, one
weekly neWspaper.gd Valley,s,a small
teyn,. 35 miles, with the country around
it settled for miles, and farms, and farm-
houses to be seen as far, as the eye can
reach. The Omaha and Republican Val.
ley Railroad branches off here, crosses
the Platte river on a pile bridge 1900
feet long, and runs south to David City,
81 miles; population 1000, two weekly
newspapers and seven schools. Fremont,
AZ miles, county seat, population $500,
public buildings, in part are seven fine
achool.houses,, seven churches, court
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