The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-07-24
The Flight of Time and ifs Zee
S.sEsS.

The Flight OF ElEsle and ais sge.
salts.
This is an age Of progress. Were it
possible for the mythical fable of
Washington Irvingto be realized, and
had an inhaoitant of this sphere com
posed himself for the renowned Rip
Van Wrinkle nap some twenty-five or
thirty years ago, truly, upon awaken
ing to-day, would lie imagine himself
in another world advanced far be-
yond his comprehensions. A retro
spection of the past ages, based, of
course, upon the records and evidence
extant, in comparison with The past
half centuary, renderthe improvement
of the latter almost miraculous. The
arts, sciences, and general intelligence,
and other advantages to mankind,
have advanced with the rapility of
the mushroom, but with the stability
of the pyramids. Probably the most
beneficial development has been that
of the railroad system. One does not
have to go back to the boyhood days
Of the oldest inhabitant 10 see the vast
changes wrought through the instru-
mentality of the latter, as many are
yet comparatively young that well re-
member the status of affairs innovated
by the introduction ofthe steam horse.
At that time, when removed Fl ON
water transportation, the turnpikes
were the great thoroughiares-the
principal medium Of communication
between the different parts of the
country. The latter were certainly q
great advance upon previous modes,
and from the substantial manner of
their construction were, doubtless,
considered the limit of human efforts
in that direction. They served their
turn well, opened up The inland, and
still, after many years ofuse, render
valuable service. 1t is now difficult
to comprehend how, even with the
use of tnrnpikes, it was possible TO
transact business of large dimensions.
The slow, ploding freight team, the
coaches with their limited accommo-
dations and speed of ten or less miles
per hour, surely retarded commercial
traffic and almost completely prevent
ed pleasure trip. How different it
is to-day. The immense railway sys-
tenn V the country like the web
of a spider. Time and distance are
uuu1ullotCus 4IOtiSalitlS "! CHR Win
unlimited capacity transport the pro-
ducts of the cities into the country and
the agricultural products into the
cities. Elegant trains convey the army
oftravelers in every conceivable direc-
ton, at almost incredible speed. AT
tho very commencement of the rail-
road era N was started from Chica-
go, and, following the old Buffalo
Trail, slowly but surely built toward
the Great West. Directly through tile
Heart of the Continontit went, throw
ing out branches to tap the rich agri-
Cultural sections, opening up and de-
veloping the country it trayerseti, I'M
til to-day it has five thousand miles OF
steel track, and extends from Chicago,
Peoria and St. Louis i'll the East direct
to Denver in the West. Not built for
speculation, nor witt: monopolistic
ideas, it has eve consulted the best
wishes of its patrons, aud has always
therefore, received their hearty sup
port and encouragement. Every day
III the year palatial trains, equipped
with the very latest facilities for eat
ing, sleeping, smoking and lounging,
move ove lis perfect roal-bed be-
tween Chicago and Denver, Chicago
and Omaha. Chicago and Kansas City,