The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-08-12
Detroit Excursion.
HILLsDALE, MICH, August G, IS

To the Editor of the Standard:
As did not see any one except ourself on the De-
troit excursion from Jackson County, trust that it
will not be amiss for to furnish some of the partc
ulars of that excursion the many readers of the
STANDARD.
Of course first, it necessary that we go to Ath-
ems, Ohio, to meet the excursion; we got on the
train Clay P. o., Monday and arrived at Ath-
ems about p. m. Being wholly stranger in the
place. and alone we at once struck out in search of
stoppng-place. We left valise at the first hotel
that to, and then proceeded to take look at
the town and whatever other objects of interest might
meet searching gaze. The first object that en-
gagged our attention the Lunatic Asylum. Of
course we knew that such institution at
the place. confess that the extensiveness
and grandeur of the building awakened surprise
We only the building from distance being kept
away partly by the inclemency of the weather, and
presume partly by the fear that they would keep
there if they wandering about the
building absorbed in the beauties of modern archtec
ture The building is said to cover area of six
acres, and presents grand sight at night when illu
minated as it splendidly is.
Next we came across some buildings and grounds
which from their appearance thought must be the
Ohio University; concluded we would find out for
ourself by visiting the buildings. We had sooner
reached the entrance of one of the halls, when the
ual school marks Ga pile of school books in the
the floor, stairways lined with shawls, bonnets,
hats books &c convinced us that we were right
in superstition. We knew that it must be vacation
time for the college classes, and upon inquiry found
that this the case, and that there is a normal
school in session there now. We soon struck up an
acquaintance with some of the students, one of them,
a Mr.. Ray of Washington County, and who seems to
be quite gentleman, recommended to us his board
ing place good place for us to stop over night
The next morning we listened to lecture by Presi
dent Scott, the subject of ''School Management
1t practical talk to the Students of whom there
are about eighty in attendance.
According to announcement, the Hooking Valley
train moved down to the depot at 80 August 3,
to receive those who going on the Detroit eX-
cursion. But few got at this place. probably two
dozen but great numbers got at the large stations
intervening between Athens and Columbus, that
before reaching Columbus it impossible TO find
sitting room in the coaches. We had to change cars
at Columbus, and what a rush, usual; all fearing
that they would be left 1t really divertng to
watch the motions and to listen to the conending of
the people. The trouble that there were many
and engines pointing in both directions that the
people didn't know which train was the excursion
train. First the mass of people would rush toward
the upper part of the depot then down again towards
the other end thus they kept vacillating for some
time and contending about the direction that they
to go, and after the right train was found and
the people seated in it, could hear such remarks
Il know this isn't the right tran for it goes out
of the depot the that it come in, &C. After
waiting for the Scioto Valley train, the
excursion train, consisting of eleven coaches filed
with between five and six hundred peple, pulled out
for Detroit passing through Delaware about p. M,
and Charley Fostoria' about IL p. M, and the
Maumee River into Toledo about 80 a.
A Garfield and Hancock vote was taken the train
between Toledo and Detroit, showing the following
ratio: Garfield los, to Hancock 49,
Our train reached its destination at 3 80 a. m Au
4th. There is cOmmOdious hotel just opposite the
depot and of course it not being yet daylight the eX
cursionsts all, nearly ALL sought accommodations
at the hotel account OF the proximity to the depot
and of again all wanted to register at the same
time, but for all that it took at least hour for all
to register and daylight came before all were put to
bed; but for our part didn't go there sleep in
daytime, but it light enough to see, we
were the banks of the be waters of the Detroit,
and presume with longing looks insatiate did we
gaze upon objects the most commonplace over on the
Canada side and it with reluctance that we
river go up the city to look for
breakfast which was readily found and dispatched
short notice; then we learned that if we would go
to the foot of oodward could over into
Canada; accordingly we went up into the city, /
which we found magnificent indeed, such wide |
ceanly streets and systematic arrangement solid |
blocks of wholesale business houses towering to the
heavens the grandest State House of the north
west The city contains about 100000 and is superb
business centre of the northwest. We purchased a
round trip ticket to the river for
cents. We found that those who live over in Canada
were none other than human beings, very much like
ourself The town opposite Detroit is called Wind
sor contains about 6OO people. Our curiosity for
Canada soon satiated and again in short time
gliding the CLASSY waters for Detroit in
order to ready the excursion ride which to
commence at 2 Z. NJ We were first taken up to
Belle Isle' the Hope" with the choice of stay
ng the Isle for half hour to be taken back by the
Fortune could go right back If we chose but
# course we chose to stay the Isle for the half
our The Isle consists of beautiful grove, several
andy and nut stands, saloons, &c. were In full blast
n the Isle. Our half hour being up went back on
he Fortune" Then the ride up Lake st.
lair The two boats The Hope and The For
lne,' were attached together, that they sailed
breast and had on board over thousand lives. The
axe is said to be about twenty-five miles wide The
,tundty of the earth plainly disceruable. Land
either side didn't to be far of, but In front OF