The Pascagoula democrat-star. (Pascagoula, Miss.) 1878-1920, 1881-02-04


actly on an air lipe) between Biloxi
aud BeauvOir. When | asked an
explanation of this peculiarity, OF
one of the oldest settlers, he said
the street was at first Il path made
by the buffaloes and cattle going
to aud from the river for water;
and that afterwards it became a
country road, then some enterpri-
slng men gradually put a few stores
along it, until it was built up solid
ly on either side for some distance;
since which time the old frame
houses have been replaced by large
brick and stone ones; and so
crooked it will always remain,
With some of the stores that which
is the ground floor facing one street
is the second or third OH the next
parallel one. 1t has u fine union
depot. good courthouse, a misera-
ble Jail, innumerable gambling
dens and dingy grog-shops with Il
have been tolt) the meaneSt CREASED
lightning whisky. The place is
noted for confidence men" and
thieves; aud the uususpccting
countrymen and strangers are con-
stantly being swildled, and the
thieves generally escape. But |
am getting of the subject started
out to talk about--the weather.
Well, after stay of two days Il
departed with the mercury seven
teen below, and after passing
through Leavenworth and Atchi-
son arrived ut St. Joseph, where l
found the river frozen over, plenty
of ice and snow, the wind blowing
fercely and the thermometer TWEEN
ty three below. The place is well
situated on the left of the Missouri,
on an elevated inclined.plain. 1t
is the rival of Kansas City for the
Western trade, and possesses more
wealth than any place OF its size
in the country. Her merchants
are perfectly solid and do IA good
business, but are inclined to take
things easy and don't exert the en-.
ergy or "pushn of those ot the
latter place. The city is regularly
laid out, has good, broad streets, a
magnificent courthouse, excellent
hotels and fine stores, and will soon
have a costly union depot.
| thought certainly l had en-.
countered the coolest weather |
should ever experience, but alas !
we often deceive ourselves. After
leaving st. Joseph, passing through
Council Bluffs and crossing over
the great bridge of the Union Pa
cifc railroad, | found myself in
Omaha, where strings of loaded
wagons were crossing upon the
frozen river at various points, and
in many places men were cutting,
hauling and packing ice, while the
thermometer indicated the almost
unbearable cold of thirtytour de-
grees below nothing (zero). 1t was
SO intensely cold that the place
looked rather deserted, there beng
no one on the streets who were not
compelled to be out. When took
cigar out of my mouth to expec-
torate the end would freeze before
| could get it back; and the wind
penetrated two sets of underand out
er garments like so much musquitO.
netting and chilled me to the bone.
Zone could take drink of whisky
every ten minutes, was told, and
: it would have no more effect than
water). After the stove in my
room became red.hot | got warm
enough to retire, and it appeared
to me | had just fallen into the
gentle arms of Morpheus and was
, enjoying the cheerful pine-knot fire
. as of yore, when | was suddenly
brought to my senses by yells,
. tramping of horses and rumbling
. of wheels in the frozen street be
G meath my window, while my cham
Der was brightly lighted by the re
: Election of fire near by. 1t flashed
across my mind that the hotel was
q on fire, but my room having be
a come SO very cold | almost conclud
y ed to remain where l was aud ge
we'll thawed out for once, but sec
/, ond thought told me there was sucl
I. a thing as getting too hot even II
l this world, so | hurried on N,
clothing and was going down stair
Y at rapid rate, when, just at tn,
turn, | came in sudden contact witt
:, the porter carrying small trunk
u next thing was picking mysel
s up, with several bruises, on th
o landing below, badly mixed VI
n with trunk and porter. When
arrived at the Office / tound severa
% guests in sad predicament, bal
!, awake, lowering around the rel
2, hot stove, and what had caused tn
ia panic was the burning of q whole
|. sale liquor house near the hotel
N SO with the curiosity that such a
# affair creates ] went to the scene Q
"a action and beheld most beautiful
- sight. AS the iron shutters OF To
= store we're closed the firemen wer
A.....
y compelled to throw the water iroI
"a the center of the street over tll
81 sides of the high building ana Il
i. il rain down upon the interior, Du
h; what went up 'cater came dow
se kail.stones of great size, which hl
rs little effect upon the fierce flame
10 that soon ignited the two hnndre
D.; thousand dollars worth OF llqno
~ aud rosp from the fiery furnace Il