The Democratic advocate., 1883-09-01

VIM. A. Cunningham, Esq, Cashier of the
Farmers and Mechanics National Bank, this
city, who is with Maryland Commandery, of
Baltimore, which is attending the knights
Templar convention in San Francisco, Cali
fornia. Mr. Cunningham left on the 9th of
August, and whenever opportunity offered
gave his family short description of his trip,
which is difficult matter to do when travel
ling in such large body, and at every point
met by delegations of citizens who were de-
sirous of showing their Eastern brethren all
the attention that so distinguished body of
men were deserving of. Only those who have
participated in similar gatherings can sympa-
thize with the loved ones at home who are
anxious about the absent and are diSappoint-
ed if each mail does not bring them letter
describing infinitely everything that has oc-
Cured.
The trip from Baltimore to Cincinnati, over
the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, was much
enjoyed, and the scenery along Cheat river
called forth expressions of admiration. Mr..
G. has as travelling companion gentleman
named Ruhl, who has been over the route be-
fore, and was able to point out the most in
teresting objects.
Under date of ST. Louis, Missouri, August
10, he says We crossed the Mississippi at
p. m., yesterday, and after supper we were
escorted by the two Communicates OF this
place to the opera house and saw 'lolanthe.
The hotel we are quartered at, the Southern,
is a grand one, opening on four streets, has
marble floors and lighted by electricity. Our
party is composed of 10 persons, and each
strives to make the trip enjoyable. l wish |
had time to describe the sights in Cincinnati
the inclined street railway, the views OF the
city from Walnut Hills, dotted with the most
Il L j +oI HnIUnr
Yards: the geological gardens, which contain
the finest collection of rare animals | have
ever seen, among which are several polar
bears which are as large as small elphants.
At night we attended a concert given by the
best musical talent of the city, the ladies at
tending in large numbers in exquisite toilets.
Judge Lynch. of Frederick, is with US and he,
Keizer, McCahan, Ruhl and myself are more
frequently together than any others, thus
forming a Jolly good crowd. The well-known
reputation of ST. Louis water has not dlmln-
ished by our visit-nearly all are affected by
it. We remain in ST. Louis day and will be
on the go all the time.
Kansas City was reached on the 1lth, where
carriages were in waiting to drive around the
CITY: weather hot. Arrived at Hugo, Colora-
do, 533 miles west of Kansas City, on Sun
dav. August II; on the way here saw ante
n drove of cattle of over 20O0 head. Denver,
Colorado, 100 miles west, was reached on
Sunday evening; most of the route was through
the prairies; tomorrow, Monday, we visit the
celebrated Colorado Springs, and on Wednes-
dav start for San Francisco. On the 10th the
party arrived at Cheyenne, Dakotah Ierrlto-
ry. all well. with excellent weather and cool
bracing air. Ogden, California, was reached
on the 18th, and the party will not be delayed
anymore.
In describing Denver, the liter being writ
fen on Sunday night Mr.. G. says Have Just
returned from a stroll and two car rides
through the city. The court room is acknowl-
edged to be the finest in the United States,
being ornamented with paintings OF high
order. and fitted with solid bronze ratings,
crystal chandeliers, &c. From the dome OF
the courthouse we had an excellent view OF
tbe citv. Pixies Peak was pointed out to us,
the Rocky Mountains being only II miles dis
tant. Sir Knight Bagnall, of Norfolk, Va,
strict Presbyterian, and myself have been
irving to realize that to-day was the Sabbath,
but it was a difficult matter, as the stores, sa-
looms. &C.. were open; mechanics gong along
the streets carrying tools, wagons loading and
unloading, and business in general progress
sing. Would like to give my impression OF
the cities, towns, rivers and country, but time
will not allow. The great Mississippi river
greatly disappointed me, although l had seen
the lower end of it several years ago. At ST.
Louis it is less than a half mile wide, and is a
dirty, filthy, muddy, swiftly rolling swirllng,
eddying stream. which fills you with disgust
and dread. The Missouri is no better, and
the Kansas likewise The water is used for
all purposes without fltering, and has the
color Of a glass of strong lemonade. l can
not drink the water and am compelled to
drink coffee OF beer. Met several friends and
in St. Louis. Visited the
morgue. or dead house, in that place, where L
saw two ''hoaters," term applied to bodies
found in the river. One had been in the
water So hours and more loathsome and
horrible sight never saw, it being perfectly
black. Very little walking was done IN St.
Lopis, so carriages being at our disposal.
Under date of Denver, August IA, he con-
tinues Yesterday went by the narrow gauge
railroad to Georgetown, stopping at Idaho
SPRINGS, where we had the celebrated hot soda
baths. 1t was glorious; the water as green as
the sea, and runs into the bath rooms by nat
ual flow, the stream being as thick as ones
arm and almost too warm Tor comfort close
to the pipes, but as the rooms are large the
water IS cooler as YOU recede from the pipes.
These baths are said to cure all ills flesh is
heir to. From there we went to the hot
springs and | held my hand in water coming
out of the mountains with a temperature OF
over 1902. This is a wonderful country. The
railroad ND the mountain is a triumph OF en-
gineering skill, and the ride up Clear Creek
Canon, through the mountains cannot be de-
scribed so as to give you any idea of how it
looks. We saw the Golden and ''Silver
Flume," &C., and at the invitation OF a former
member of Maryland Commandery, who lives
here, and provided horses and carriages, we
went up still higher until we reached an ele-
vation of 5000 feet above the sea level.
Here was the entrance to 'The Diamond
Tunnel Silver Mine," Baltimore enterprise,
Oliver r. Lantz being the manager. The la
dies were placed in the ore cars and the gen
tlemen walked and carried candles; on we
went until we reached the end, 230O feet from
tine entrance, where we found the miners at
work with 1900 feet of earth above them. L
never experienced such a senation as when
in this silver NINE We came out of the mine
tired, dirty and COOL and were invited to par
take of refreshments-ice cream, cake, &c.,
which were very refreshing; after this we
were photographed in group some horse
back, at the entrance to the tunnel At
Georgetown we took dinner at the Hotel de
Paris real French cook preparing it:
Among other novelties was a rum omlet,'
SDflnklGu Will DNI"S %" O--
fire like alcohol. 1t was splendid. We re-
turned by moonlight. This morning there
was an excursion in another direction, but |
was tired and did not go. Called on MIR.
Ruth and Mr.. Kountze and delivered the let
ters from our pastor. Both kindly received
me. Denver is a wonderful city, and has a
population of $4,000; some of the stores are
as well arranged and as handsomely fitted up
as those of the large eastern cities, and lig ght
ed by electric lights the streets are wider
than those of Baltimore, with public fountains
here and there for the use of man or beast;
the cutters are wide enough to drive in and
are partly filled with running water, supplied
by the city. We can see snow on the noun
tains, and at 5, p. m: I am sitting with, my
coat off and perspiring freely, Prices here
are up in the figures. Visited the Exposition
to day; it is not as good as it was last year;
the specimens of minerals and ores are fine.
California fruit is offered for sale-peaches,
pears and plums-at 20 cents per pound;
fresh oysters, on the half she'll, at 81 per
dozen. We leave tomorrow for steady