Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1884-03-03
A TRIP TO KANSAS.

Mr.. EdltOr,-LaSt autumn L took
a trip to Kansas and a brief account
of what saw may not be devoid of
interest. 1t is said that Vermont is
not corn growing state, but | think
few sections of the country raise larg
er crops of this grain than is grown
along the Connecticut river. A very
agreeable ride brought us to Green
field, Mass, where we were COM
PEELED to wait three hours for the
train. Here we took the Hoosick r.
R., passing through the famous tun-
mel. | confess that the sensation
when within the great bore through
the mountain is not peculiarly agree
able; the darkness is made all the
more gloomy by the feeble lights by
which the cars are lighted, while the
smoke was very disagreeable. AS we
entered the Empire State we were
struck with the character of the build
ings; the houses are very small and
the barns about large enough to hold
one COW and horse, other animals
would be compelled to remain with
out. The hay was stacked without
and large barn, even 30x4O feet,
was seldom seen. Windmills are
everywhere seen and the the water
for house and barn is pumped by
them.
The country is very level and the
fields are laid down in sections with
bitches between. Many of the cities
of western n. Y. are very beautiful
and there is an appearance of thrift
and wealth everywhere. Buffalo, the
chief city of western n. Y, is large
| and busy town. Its manufactures
and its lake commerce conduce to it's
prosperity. From Buffalo to Cleve-
land the road runs along lake Erie
much of the way in sight of the water.
Here as in New York the country is
level and the farm buildings are small
and poor. There are few grassy
yards but a high rail fence is built
close up to the door, enclosing the
house, the pigs and the fowls, with
| every manner of rubbish. At Ash
tabulah river we crossed the bridge
where the lamented P. p. Bliss and
so many others lost their lives some
years ago. At Cleveland we visited
the tomb Of Garfield where we were
permitted to view the casket in which
the remains are placed. There were
FLOWERS and other beautiful things t.
show that loving hands were still car
ing for the precious remains. We
passed through some very beautiful
streets in this city in our brief stay
but were compelled to hasten on GU
journey. Our ride west was taken il
the night and we lost opportunity t.
see some of the better part of tn
country. Some portion of the coun
try, however, was low and, doubtless
unhealthy. Here / saw children dip
ping water from pools that were hal
covered with filthy slime and file
with such animal life as the Vermont
er would not relish. Arriving in Chi
cago we took a train some miles an
then a stage for town in southern
| Wisconsin.
The country in northern Illinois
, beautiful the prairies are rolling an
there are forests of natural timbe
consisting of oak, hickory and lc
Gusts. In the groves we saw larg
numbers of hogs that were huntin
for acorns and other feed. Here ii
farm buildings are much better tina
much of the country passed on OF
;, journey. In Chicago we saw mai
things of great interest. We we
9 much interested in a visit to the sto(
. yards where they are killing not LEI
than 5000 animals day. Here a
some of the finest as we'll as some
the poorest animals imaginable.
& We noticed a large and expensi
city hall building which has been fl
he years going up and is costing
D. among the millions. 1t will be
rs ornament to this immense city. Ru
IN ming through the city is the Chica:
lie river which is crossed by draw Bird
al es; this is great annoyance to ira
lie ell, and frequent accidents occur.
C. one time while we were there be
eli was allowed to run against one
e. the bridges filled with people a
he teams, and three men were killed a
H. many injured. One pair of spirit
he horses when they heard the crash a
in felt the bridge giving way Leaf
Ter upon the roof of building that ste
lal beside the bridge and on the otl
Ire ide in the level of the street and,
is the merest chance, saved themsel