The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1881-11-09

SARGENT, HAMILTON Co, KAN, !
October 29, 1881. !


will now endeavor to
re deem my promise to you,by dropping
you few lines from this far.off land
of Gods creation, and give you an
account of our journey from Tionesta
to this place.
We left Tionesta Friday, the Goth,
and arrived at Pittsburgh about s
o'clock the same evening, and found
friends awaiting our arrival. We
visited near friends in the city during
our short stay, and on Monday eve
ning,--the Oath, at 7:43, we took fast
through train for Chicago. OF course
we could not see anything of special
interest during the nights travel, but
we had about seventy five miles of
daylight travel before we reached
Chicago ; the morning was delightful
one; we enjoyed this run grandly
everything along the way denoted
thrift and prosperity. Fine farms
and fine farm buildings greeted us
all along the way. We arrived at
Chicago about $50, and found the city
a Getty of mud" from the fact Of
recent rains.
We dined here and at 1885 we took
our place in the "Chair Car" an ar
rangement made by the gentlemanly
kindness of Mr.. r. r. Ingrahm, of
Pittsburgh, from whom we procured
our tickets through from Pittsburgh to
Kansas Ciy, at greatly reduced rates
and by the way, if any of our Tionesta
friends, who may contemplate coming
west, by going to Mr.. r. r. Ingrahm,
No. 78 9th Avenue, Pittsburgh, they
can get through passage to the west
at less rates than anywhere else in the
city. This "Chair Car" is a splendid
arrangement; the chairs are so ar
ranged that you can let the back down
so as to have very good bed upon
which to rest and sleep this you have
without additional cost. We had
splendid ride during the afternoon
the part of Illinois we passed through
is certainly very fine part of the
State, but the past dry season affected
this part of the State greatly the pas.
lures we're dried up, the forests denoted
great drouth but grain looks splen-
did, recent rains brought it on so that
the outlook is very promising. l am
informed that the amount of grain
sown this fall exceeds last year twenty
five per cent. There is also good
deal of fruit; apples appear to be an
average crop.
During this nights travel we
crossed the Mississippi. "Old Miss
issip" is just blooming" high; we
crossed it at Louisiana; the water was
over the river banks for several miles
on the eastern shore, over which we
had to pass; when we came to the
great iron bridge, we found the water
within four feet Of the bridge and
rising; it looked little frightful, but
a kind providence carried US over
safely we felt thankful, and breathed
easier. We passed on through Miss
ouri and beheld many fields of splen-
did looking grain. This State prom
ises grand crop to the farmer; fruit
appears to,be an average crop. We
arrived in Kansas City at $50, in the
morning, and breakfasted, being ex
ceedingly tired and hungry, and at
1875 We started on our last days and
nights travel. Eastern Kansas is Ger.
tainly very fine part of the State
this is the grain growing part of the
State the present sowing is looking
fine indeed, and is extensive; fruit is
a medium crop mere.
We came to Florence about 7;30 in
the evening; here we had "a few
words" with Mrs. II. and daughter,
and then we parted, they going to
and we to. this place,
where we arrived next morning, tired
weary and greatly demOralized found
our son on the lookout for us, and
glad to see us. Now, lone word more"
as the preacher said, as to rail roads
and the men who operate them
would say that we were treated kindly |