The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1882-06-08
Trip to Cincinnati and Louisville.

Especial Correspondence of the VIRGINIAN.1
We left Staunton at 2:45 o. M, May 18th,
en- route, via Chesapeake and Ohio, for Cincln-
natl, and were glad to find so many Augusta
boys aboard for same destination. We arrived
in Cincinnati about 10 p. M, on Saturday
18th, without accident, except a small land
slide, which was detected before we ran into
1t and delayed us but short time, though we
hed a great deal of rain during the run En-
sconced at the Hunt House, on Vine ST.. but
short distance from Fountain Square, we
walked up and took look at Cincinnati's great
fountain. This is really worth the trip to see.
We were up on Sunday and ready for church,
but after short walk, meeting with some old
acquaintances, l in some way was separated
from my companion and unfortunately did
not find the church, but wandered around,
taking a view of the city. Meeting with an
advertisement of a nice excursion forty miles
up the river, we avaied ourselves of it, and
boarding steamer at the foot of Main street,
we were soon off with crowd fully as merry
as we could have wished and little more so.
The band struck up very soon, the dancing
commenced, and we were not long in discov-
er ing that John Barleycorr" was around
everywhere And if we did not see merry
time Well, we Virginians were not accus-
toned to such scenes as these on Sunday even
ing, but then, we were in Cincinnati, and of
course had to take what was set before u.s.
Suppose this was little worse than usual,
as the late laws had closed the bar rooms in
the city, and the "hoodlums" were off for a
glass, present company always excepted. But
we managed to get back safe and sound about
10 o. m, concluding if we saw any more nice
excursions forty miles up the Ohio, we would
enquire about them before going.
Monday morning we were on the street
again, took the street car at the corner of 9th,
and after meandering through the city, we
were brought up in little shed at the foot of
one of the inclined planes and in short time
were being drawn up by an engine above, al
most VERTICAL for 1000 feet. Some one re-
marked if the wire would break we would go
clear through to the other side of the earth.
Street car, horses and all were taken up and
our journey continued over the Walnut hills,
where we saw beautiful residences, beautiful
drives, &C., with here and there a clock on the
side walk to give us the time. We continued
to the end of the line which is only few
squares from the Geological gardens, where
there is very fine collection of wild an
imals, birds, &c., with beautiful surroundings
We returned by same route, taking a stop.
Our check at Highland House, Cincinnati's
Picnic House, at the entrance of the inclined
plane, one thousand feet above the city, you
have good view of the city and surroundings;
also the Ohio winding around it with its great
wire suspension bridge, and of all the impor
tant points in the city. You can see it all, or
as much as can be seen from so high point,
for we imagine you would have to get pretty
low to see all of SO great a city as Cincinnati.
The Highland House has first drinking sa-
loon,-that is always first in Cincinnati-then
restaurant, then ball room, billiard tables and
large platform in front capable of seating
thousands of people, with music stand, &C., to
overlook the city. After satisfying ourselves
here, we came down the inclined plank into
the city and watched the auction sale of
large lot of fine jewelry, corner 9Th and
Fountain square, for while, not, however,
without investing, and at 5 p. M. took the
steamer for Louisville, 100 miles down the
river, to the races.
A trip down the Ohio in one of those fine
steamers is worth something. The river
scenery, those beautiful cities on both banks,
the fine bands, good fare and jolly crew, furn-
ished makeup that is quite enjoyable. We
arrived at Louisville about daylight on Tues
nay, the 18th, and after breakfast took street
car for the race course. louisville is beauti-
full city, well laid of, with a population of
$4,000, and some as pretty residences as
ever saw anywhere. We found plenty of
oranges, bananas by the wagon loads, apples,
vegetables, &c. The race course was three
miles from the city, track one mile around,
about forty feet wide, with grand stand eapa-
BILE Of seating 10000. We went around to see
the fine racers, as the races did not begin until
Up. m. Just before that time the people be-
gan to flock in, and by 2 o'clock the grand
stand was filled to overlooking. The coming
in OF the Tally Ho coaches with the officers
and ladies OF the Louisville Jockey club IN
fancy dresses, created great enthusiasm. These