The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1880-08-04
Ghe G4telliqetrrer.
Rn0M WHRgiiaG TO HOLIDAYS.
BURG, Pa,
Notes of Travel and soIOurn at Various
... Points.

the great city of Pittsburgh. Yourieader
are familiar with this route and it
scenery, but comparatively few Of then
know anything OF the world OF beaut,
which lies beyond the "Smoky City.
The Pa. R. R. which trayefses the who'll
State 1858 miles, is in excellent condition
It's rolling stock is unrivaled and the com
pany's employees leave nothing undont
TO secure the safety and comfort OF th'
thousands who travel over Its lines. The
scenery from Pittsburgh over the noun
taihs and thence eastward through the IN
terror OF the State is grand and pictures
que beyond our feeble powers OF descrip'
ton. On either hand as we sped along
were to be seen aourishipg towns, mod
est villages, well cultivated farms teeming
with all the products OF agriculture, vast
tracts Of timber land, rushing torrents and
gently flowing silvery streams until
through deep chasmS and by many q
winding turn fwe reached "Gallitzin" sta
tion, the highest point OF the Pa. R. R.
bed, 2204 feet above the level OF the sea
and little over 100 miles east Of Pitts
burgh. r.
While ascending the mountains We
witnessed q genuine. ALLEGHENY storm"
which was terrible in clouds changing
from snowy wilderness TO crimson and
gold as they caught the glory OF the set
ting sun, while eastward the dark storm
clouds were rushing on like giant armies
TO battle. They burst over the mountain
tops, the rain descended in a misty veil
| hiding from our view the smiling distant
horizon, and our train sped on into the
storm and darkness. Streams oil the cleo
trio current frequently Lit up the gloom,
the peals Of thunder mingled with the
roar Of the wind, the crash OF falling trees
and the clatter Of the wheels combined
to produces fearfully disCofdant medley
ofsounds.
At Gallitzin our train entered the ia
nous tunnel, which Is one OF the longest
and best constructed in this country.
Within 1t are two springs Of water, quite
near each other, but flowing in opposite
directions, as at that very point the Penn
sylvania railroad slopes east and west.
Beyond the tunnel Is the Horseshoe
Bend" 80 often represented by photo
graphs, and which is Justly regarded as a
triumph OF engineering skill. Leaving
the bend our train swept down the heavy
grade until we reached the prosperous city
OF Altoona. At this point we stopped oil
TO make tour OF inspection through this
Pennsylvania railroad shops, TO which al.
toona owes its importance. Over 900
skilled mechanics are employed in the
various departments from the repair shops
up to the finishing room Of the most ele-
CANT travelling coaches. Locomotives com.
pleted in the Altoona shops are said to
loutrival all others made in the United
States. An engine erected there is now
running on New York line, the speed Of
which il the greatest on record, and which
draws with ease ninety.hYe loaded freight
cars.
From Altoona we turned To the more
home.like town OF Hollidaysburg, the
county seat OF little Blair, from which
three branch railroads diyerge towards the
rich mining and agricultural districts oil
that section. The town is delightfully."-
situated in the valley oil the blue Juniata,
and the SURROUNDING scenery is beautiful
beyond description. Coal and iron Of gu.
pefior quality abound in the vicinity;
furnaces, rolling mills, foundries and an
extensive nail mill Automatically TO the
prosperity OF the town and its environs.
| The inhabitants are well.to.do. and show
their appreciation OF religion and educa.
ton BY numerous and handsome school
and church edifces. Nearly all religious
denominations are represented there. Or
one OF the two Catholic churches Rev.
Francis j. kaib, a former resident OF
Wheeling, is the highly esteemed pas
Tor. He is an eloquent preacher in
both the English and German lam
euases, The English Catholic Church
possesses a treasure oil art in life-si2e
picture OF the Crucifixion, which we have
never seen surpassed by any similar altar
niece. The belfry OF this church contains
a chime OF nine melodiOus bells, the only
one in central Pennsylvania. Besides the
common and high schools, two orders OF
Catholic Sisters conduct parochial and
boarding schools, while the Presbyterian
Seminary for young ladies, is in building
and location one OF the finest in the State.
Here Gen. Stonewall Jackson met his wife,
a daughter OF Or. Junkin, distinguished
Presbyterian divine, for many years pastor
at this place. We received cordial greet
! ing from Hon. John A. Lemon, Repnblir
can candidate for Auditor General.
Returning to Gallitzin we spent some
pleasant weeks at the hospitable home oil
our kinsman Frank Christy, Esq, who ID
cousin, German TO the late Father K,
Christy, of Columbus, well known as the
"Fighting Chaplain" in the Army Of the
Cumberland. Mr.. Ohristy conducts q
thriving mercantile business In this lively
town where coal mines, saw mills and the
railroads give ample employment to tts
people and adjoining settlements.
On the hill over the tunnel are located
a large church, pastoral house and many
private residences, together with a sChoo
Ihouse and fair grounds, from the latter Of
which delightful view OF the surrounding
country for miles on every side may be
obtained. During our. rambles In this
neighborhood we walked over TIT
"Christy Farm" embracing 500 acres
Excellent coal is found here in three
veins, the thickest and-best Of which is
100 feet below the surface. From its
Iouarries the best building stoue In the
State is forwarded to distant cities, also i'm.
mepse quantities OF the clear white sand
used in the manufacture OF glass IL iounC
there.
Paying short visit to Ebensburg, the
county seat OF Cambria, we were mos
kindly welcomed by the prince Of country
editors, II. A. McPike, editor OF the Cam
Jria Freeman. This friend OF by.gonl
days, aud his amiable lady exerted them
selves to the utmost to render our stay
most agreeable. Perhaps you never me-
MIR. Pike, or read his paper, in that case
YOU have our heart felt coincidence, fo
Won have missed much that Is good. Thu
Town OF Ebensburg is delightfully."- situated
on one OF the highest points Of the ALE
chanies. The town is we'll laid out,air ant
water are Of the purest; the good things Q
| lie are abundant, aud the people are hos
pitable and cultivated in the highest de
gree. At present there are hundreds Q
city folks spending the season a
tho various hotels in or I'D
jacent to Ebensburg, "Lloyd's Grove
and belmont" included, and certainl,,
none OF them have reason TO regret thei
nhoira nj n aummar Faa0rt We Wef