Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1882-07-22
Correspondence,
IN O(ACCIDENTAL TRIP.

DeCdLue ueSlrdUle. III was nldue anu
few notes jotted down which, elab-
elaborated, read as followa
Leaving Piedmont on one of the
fast trains we sped through the rugged
grandeur of the Alleghanies to Ben
wood on the Ohio river. The great
Baltimore and Ohio highway traverses
region celebrated for its picturesque
features, but these are familiar to our
readers. AS the road stretches west
ward, however, We become less ac-
quainted with the topography of the
country. At Benwood the river is
crossed into a wide belt of bluffs
which finally dwindle to undulations
and level lands at GAINESVILLE, New
ark. Mt. Vernon, Mansfield, handsome
inland cities. At Tifin, 3S6 miles
from Piedmont, we stop over night.
This is a thrifty town of 5000 people,
sustained by rich agricultural sur
roundinss. Grand preparations were
making to observe the glorious Fourth
Visitors from far and near were ex-
pected flags, flowers and evergreens
adorned the edifces in all directions.
The B. and 0. people had devised and
executed numerous unique and pretty
displays. A hctel man exhorted /:
"Stay see our layout !; sha'n't cost
you a cent !" etc. But, anxious to go
on, next morning, willis the decora-
rations were still going up, we left,
and away through Fostoria, Deshler,
Defiance and numerous towns of less
note, the train dashes into Indiana.
AT the important places functions
with other roads are announced and
passengers, destined to points north
and south, go out, and the vacan cies
thus made are rapidly filled by
others going west. Low, marshy
land, succeeded by dense timber
growths lie on the right and left.
Wheat fields are scarce and corn looks
sickly. Northern Indiana is uupro-
ductive and population comparatively
sparse. There is hope for its future,
however. Experiments, although ex-
pensive, have been made with great
success here in the way of reclaiming
lands from the marsh, and scme day
Ang!o-Saxon aggressiveness, pushed
to the wall for elbow.room, will Ie-
deem vast portions Of this wet soil.
In Illinois the same condition holds
until it Crews worse upon entering
the shrub prairie which binds the
south western shore Of Lake Michi-
gan. The ride around the lower ex-
treiaity Of this body of water is one
TO be enjoyed by mountaineers. AS
we saw it the calm surface swept to
the level horizon on the north, boat
here and there intervening. The city
Of Chicago is reached by-and-by, 247
miles from Tiftin and 633 from Pied
mont. With its half million popula-
tion Chicago surpaases in progressive
ness and push any commercial centre
of it's extent in the world. Buildings
OF agricultural beauty, massive pro-
portions and lofty height are to be
seen everywhere along the splendid
thoroughfares.
At noon next day, July 4th, we
started for Council Bluffs aa the Chi
cago and Rock Island railway. The
passenger station of this road in Chi
cago lie centrally located and one of
the handsomest, most convenient,
commodious and best appointed edi-
fees cf its kind in the country. The
tain steams oft southwark to the
lake prairie. Passing Englewood,
suburban town, through which four
great trunk lines send sixty pasaen-
ger trains daily, our train runs west
ward with an extensive prairie in
view on either eide. Joliet, the seat
Of a large grain trade and the location
Of the Illinois penitentiary, passed.
the Des PLANES river crossed ; the
rich valley Of the Illinois traversed
and we reach Morris, the scene of the
first battle Of the Black Hawk war,
fifty years ago. Again at Ottawa,
where the Indian Creek massacre
took place in 1880, and at La Sale,
where band of Indians were be-
alleged and starved during the Mo-
hawk war, it will be seen that the
section traversed is full of interest to
tho historical student. The aborigi-
nal struggle 10 retain possession of
the Rock River country in spite of
treaties was one of great obstinacy
and lengthy duration. The ruins of
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