The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-08
THE PRESS EXCURSIONISTS.
The Trip of the Editors Over the Broad
Prairies of Dakota.
Cypic~ al Excursions to the Yellowstone Region
Indiana No Longer Pivotal State
Notes of the Journey.
from stan Correspondent of the Journal.

from a STAFF Correspondent of the Journal,
EN- ROUTE, Aug. 8.
'softly falls the silvery light, down the gardens
All the harvest fields are white; here the reaper
las no rest
Shot like an arrow from the long bow,
the excursionists are flying over the great
prairies of Dakota, between Fargo and Bis
marck.
1 will not trouble you with extracts from
the rival reports of the St. Paul and Mime
apolis boards of trade, or from the through
by daylight brochure issued by the Great
Northwestern road to the party, giving the
points of interest" along the 407 miles trav-
elet in twelve hours, with total stops
of one and a half hour-a trip never
made before, and one always to be remem-
bered in the annals of railroading. The
men, bers of the Associated Press will always
bear it in memory tor its speed, its luxurious
cars and its unequaled service In informal
session at St. Paul the party thus expressed
themselves concerning the great daylight
trip:''
"The special train, the speed with which 1t
Travelled, it's comfortable makeup and the affd-
BILE character of the officials of the Chicago d
North western won the admiration OF the eX-
curston party. Many of them have been extern
sive travellers, covering every point on this con-
tnent and many points of the old world. Not
ever the comforts of the Western Asso-
ciated Press special surpassed. IL consisted of
General Superintendent Layng's official car mo.
g." the Wagner car "DixOn," the dining-car
WISCONSIN" and a baggaCe-car The excursion
was under the charge of r. S. Hair, of the gen
eral passenger department of the Chicago a.
Northwestern railway, who .nost assiduous
in his attentions, winning all hearts by his po-
likeness ara intelligence. The train made
N HualU hnn IN "a
of absolute time. Four changes of engines
were made, and twenty-three stops neces-
STATED by railroad crossings and
for water. consuming in all one hour and forty
eight minutes. The conductor of the train
r. Matherson. Perhaps the chief features OF the
Journey were the three superb meals furnished
IN the dining-car. The dinner was very nOta-
BILE one, consisting of ten courses, with due
SUGGESTION of -wines-secundum artem-of seven
different varieties. The car was in charge of l.
H. Shattuck, superintendent of diuing aud par
Tor cars of the Chicago d Northwestern rail way.
The cook whose praises will be sung by every
member of the Western Associated PreSs upon
the excursion was j. Thomas. He learned the
accomplishment of the stomach ntsfying pro-
fession upon some OF the noted Detroit river
steamers, but has been for some time in the serv-
ice of the Chicago & Northwestern railway The
excursionists say-anG journalists must be con-
sidered good judges of such matters-tnat his
merits as chef are unsurpassahle The bills
OF fare were carried off by the excursonists
souvenirs of the trip. Handsomely illustrated
guide books, descriptive of the region traversed,
with programme of the trip from Chicago to st.
The occasion. As expressed by one of the members
representing prominent Eastern Journal
the only regret was that the Chicago IL North
western did not reach round the globe, including
the North pOe-in which case all would have
felt recOnciled TO make the journey thither."
Nor will l at this time burden you with
the descriptions of the Yellowstone National
Park, a ia Chicago Inter Ocean, although the
interest attaching to that enchanted region
at the present time would be sufficient war
rant. Four great excursions visit the park
within the month, and all by the courtesy of
the Northern Pacific. The romantic features
of this American wonderland are to be first
taken in and done for" by the present
party, which will be in the park from Aug.
: to IL returning to st. Paul on the
i4th to accept the inequalities of the Chi
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company, who
have offered them a special train to Chicago.
President Arthurs party are to return by
the Northern Pacific, while the American
Association of scientists are to be rendered
he use of the road late in September after
the st. Paul meeting. OF course the great
event of the season is the driving of the last
spike completing the Northern Pacific by
President Wizards party; to this end and
party, all other events and parties are sub
servient Yellowstone Park will soon be as
Canon of the Colorado. The excursions OF
this month are typical, representing the
press, the government, science, and the
railroad industries, which makes all the
others possible.
The press party are to-day at their leisure.
They have done Chicago, Pullman, st. Paul
and Minneapolis. Their pockets and grip
sacks are swollen with papers and pamphlets
thrust on them by the various boards and
companies, and from which not less than
thousand pages have been distracted to-day
for "our paper" as this is the first day OF
leisure since leaving Chicago. Not all
are so engaged; mainly the young
er and reportorial element; the
ehiefs have been there before, and only
trouble themselves to write an occasional
social telegram which is kindly deadheaded
home through the courtesy OF the Western
Union. They have come for fun, evidently,
and are willing the young men should do the
work and have the glory.
In charge of the partyis Mr.. G.. X. Barnes,
general passenger and ticket agent of the
Northern Pacific, and r. S. Hair on the part
of the Northwest ern. The former gentle
man has carte blanche from the presi-
dent of the road to see the press party
through the park and back to st. Paul, and
will leave no stone unturned to make the
trip thing to linger in the memory.
Mr.. Henry J. Winser, author of the best
guide to the park, and who has charge of the
bureau OF Information tor the road. also at.
tends the party. Under the guidance of
these gentlemen the party will drive through
the park in wagons, at the rate of thirty
miles day. from Aug. to Aug. -.
The event of the morning was the stop at
Fargo, where Mr.. Beecher lectures this
evening in the elegant opera-house, and
where copies OF the Daily Argus and Daily
Republican were distributed to the party
The former contained a savage though
shrewd two-column attack, alike derogatory
10 the press representatives and to the man
agement of the Northern Pacific. 1t proba-
, bly, emanated from the brain, or,
more likely, from the $50 pound
paunch, of the "old man" of the
Argus, characterized in the Republican of
rLa-c L.. i. !.