The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1880-04-10
The First Railroad Excursion
40 Grsmsre.

fern Ilailroad presented an animated
and novel scene, the occasion being tlIt
first railroad excursion in the history
Iof Calcasieu parish. The excursion
was given by Lake Charles Fire Com
pany No. j, from Lake Charles to Or
aDge, Texas, and was also the first for
mai visit of the people of Lake Charles
to the people Of Orange.
/ At nearly 8 a. NJ, the shout Of cal
aboard r was raised, ard the excursion
lists, men, women and children, Nun
bering about one hundred and thirty,
entered the cars, and the good locome-
tive .Sabine," with a parting Shrek,
started with the train for Orange.
Skirting the northern edge of onr lake,
and passing through the delicate look
ing but strong iron arches OF the Cal
easieu river draw-bridge, the excursion
lists enjoyed their first view, from a
railroad train, of the lake and town of
Lake Charles. at West Lake Charles
Iseyeraliladies and gentlemen joined the
company, ard the coach set apart for
the Indies and ehildrca was packed to
its fullest capaeity, nearly all the gen
tlcmen occupying seats on The fat cars.
Everybody was in the best possible
hrmcr. and short shower, accompan-
led hv a cool north wind, dainpencd
the clothes only, and not the spirits, of
some Of tic party. The run of thirty
eight miles, including stoppages, was
made in two hours, and before most of
the pleasure seekers could realize that
they were nearly forty miles from home
and In another State, they had passed
through the. handsome arches of the
Sabine river draw bridge, and the hunt
ing displayed from the shipping at
Orange, intokcn Of welcome, announced
their safe arrival at the enterprising and
queen city of southeast
Texas. As the train passed through
the suburbs, and up the main street, of
Orange, the waving Of .hsndkerchiefs
from windows and door-steps, and the
immense crowd of citizens on the side
walks, showed plainly that the good
people of Orange had turned out en-
nodsse to receive and welcome their
visitors. The greeting was unaffected,
cordial and sincere, and was given with
such unaninlity as to convey the i'm
preston on the visitors that each lady
and gentleman in Orange seemed to
consider herself and himself a commit
tee Of one on invitation ard reception.
In very few minutes tie excursion
ista were made to feel themselves at
bone, and the time passed so pleasantly
That it seemed. to pass too swiftly, and
dinner was announced before tie visit
ors expected it.
In the meantime we had been cap
tured by Mr.. KeIlie, the talented, &C.
NAL and energetic local editor of the
Orange Tribune, who knows and is
known by everybody in south and
southeast Texas, 10 whom We were
soon indebted for some very pleasant
acqusintanees, and by whom we were
conducted to the Tribune Office, where
we were cordially welcomed BY A. T.
Harris, Esq, the chief editor Of that
excellent and deseryedly popular news
paper. 1t needed but few minutes
conversation with Bros Harris and
Kellie tosenable us TO discover in IL
t1OAest ttHl Trliucu GuIbuiS III tAS ttol-
mer, and the intelligent and earnest
geniality Of the latter, the secret of the
popularity and prosperity of the Orange
Tribune.
A pleasant walk from the Tribune
Office past the Orange college building,
large, new and handsome structure,
already patronized BY over one hundred
and fifty pupils, brought us to'the pic
mic grounds, inst outside Of town,
where we found a large concourse Of
the ladies and gentlemen of Orange,
together with our fellow visitors, near
long table covered with q profusion
of choice meats, vegetables, pastry,
coffee, and boquets Of flowers. From
a platform close BIZ q neat and exceed
ingly appropriate address Of welcome
TO the excursion party was delivered
By Bro. Kellie, of the Tribune, On be
half of the people of Orange, which