The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1881-06-09
EDITORIAL correspondence.
TOPEKA. May 81, 1881.

or OF our paste pot, pen anu scls-
sors, before the cheated term" set
in, we grabbed our grip-sack
and with "half'' our family left Ea-
ton on the 26th of the present month,
and struck out for the "Realms of
the West" over rairies odorous with
the breath of vernal blossoms and
golden ripening grain, where a thou
sand flowers, disposed by the unerr
ing laws of adaptation, yield their
primal fragrance to the healthful
breeze, and where every watt CT the
wind is a grateful benson, giving
zest alike to labor and repose..
In order that we might have a di-
rect route to the west, we landed onr
persons and baggage in the flourish.
ing little village Of Portland, Ind
and boarded the "New National
Highway" better known as the Lake
Erie and Western Railway, on the
morning ofthe 9th, and steamed out
on our journey, cozily and comforta-
bly, seated in one of its pleasant and
easily riding Chair Coaches, which
landed us in Bloomington, Ill, at 2:3O
in the afternoon of the same day.
The Lake Erie and Western Railway
is comparatively a new road, but we
venture the assertion that no better,
more comfortable, easier riding
coaches, attentive conductors and at.
taches, always ready to give such di-
rections as are necessary, does not
exist anywhere in this land Of rail.
roads, and proves that under E. III
WALDRoN, Esq, as General Manager
and G. W. SMITH, Esq, as Genera
Passenger Agent, the road is bound
to stand al the head of the list o.
popular railway constructions in this
country. It passes through a very
fine country, and as the train glide:
over the steel rails withour jar or os
cillation, many pretty views Of com
Portable and pleasant "farm homes
are caught.
At Bloomington, ILL.,, the LAX
Erie and Western line terminates
and you are then transferred to tn
Chicago and Alton railway, which
with comfortable Chair Coaches, run
you into Kansas city, over the broa'
and beautiful prairies of Illinois AM
down along the banks of the Nilsson
ri river. There is no prettier or rich
er country to be found than Illinois
Stations follow each other in quicI
succession, each prosperous and pal
+ taking the general welfare whic
well-tilled farms and careful hui
bandry guarantee in this Land {
Plenty. Kansas city though scarce
ly a quarter of a century old, has a
ready a population of over 5000
people. Built upon the high lime
stone bluffs which overlook the river
and miles beyond, it has extraord
s nary facilities for drainage, and wit
s the improvements which time wi
bring, will be one of the handsome!
d cities in the west.
After an hour of rest in Kanss
d city, we boarded the Atchison an
e Santa Fe railway, now the most pol
g ular and best railway constructie
running to the Rocky Mountain
and in a few hours were dumped il
. to Topeka, the f1ourishing Capital
the State, where We kindly fell in
the hands of the hospitable and Gle
. er Deacon of, the "Good Gatherir
Church." A. v. AUTER, Esq, for
few days recreation. Excepting Il
, rolling, far-reaching prairie, there
nothing grand in Kansas scener.
!, jet it is a land of beauty to tho
who see in almost illimitsble fields
? wheat and corn and in countle
herds and locks, the elements upt
\ which our country depends for il
! growth and development; and mo,
. so to those whose mind reaches o,
. and c%onjectures somewhat the und
= veloped resources awaiting only Il
application of sturdy muscle to con
forth from their ages of slumber,
:, Reward shin who seeks" and Peep
: yet to come. Topeka is one of Il
10 most thriving'cities in the State. 81
uated on the banks of the Kansi
River, in the midst of a rich and fe
C. tile country, it has developed a su'
L stantial growth both as regards pc
st ulation and wealth. The outlyir
country is well supplied with COZ
lie water, wood, and a fine quality
e. building stone. The capitol, an il
posing structure, which is being do
l. bly, enlarged, as we'll as many priva
and public buildings, is built of t
r native stone. 1t is enough to ga
however, that Topeka points wi
reasonable pride to it's schools al
Y churches, it's well-paved streets,
Female Seminary and Washbu
College, its $4,000 hospitable and c
a. terprising people who are daily
ID veloping its u and advanci
rs its interests.
We met several Eatonians here d
ring our stay, among them our you
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