McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-09-18
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington, D. c., Sept. 15. 'S4.

poHucHt Iooh tHc idiIOuS LcHiSH al
ley route to New York, and it is Ger.
tainly one of the most picturesque and
attractive railway journeys to be en-.
joyed in this country. Soon after
leaving Elmira the beautiful Susque.
hanna River is reached, and for con-
siderable distance the route is along
its banks, through as fine country as
the sun shines upon. But it is after
passing Pittston and Wilkesbarre,
and climbing the mountain beyond,
that the real exciting interest of the
route commences. The view of Wy
oming Valley from the summit of
Wilkesbarre mountain is equalled by
few landscapes to be seen anywhere.
Near this point new summer hotel
has been erected, making very at
tractive resort for families from New
York and Philadelphia as well as from
the towns nearer by. 1t called the
Glen Summit House, and has accom-
modations for about five hundred
guests. From this point we 60 down
the other side of the mountain into
the Lehigh Valley, more truly pictur-
esque than any other know Of and
more nearly resembling ride through
the canons Of the Rocky Mountains.
Before reaching the New Jersey line
the route passes through the thriving
towns of Mauch Chunk, Bethlehem,
Easton, Phillipsburg, Allentown and
others. TO see Mauch Chunk and the
famous switch back railroad was one
of the inducements to me to take this
trip, and my eager curiosity was in no
wise disappointed. Mauch Chunk is
a prosperous town Of about 5000 in
habitants, and is probably as much
visited during the summer season as
any other resort, Niagara Falls and
Watkins Glen not excepted. 1t is
most peculiarly situated, and appears
to have slid down from some place
above until it couldn't slide and fur
Their and then stopped to take a rest
on the right bank on the Lehigh Riv
er. The place is termed the "Switz-
erland of America" not without good
reason. Appleton's picturesque
says Mauch Chunk is
doubtless the most truly picturesque
town in the Union, but l think it is
about a tie between it and Central
City, Colo, though the surroundings
of the latter present more barren
aspect. The great attraction at Mauch
Chunk is the wonderful switch back
railroad. 1t is doubtful if such an
exciting ride can be enjoyed any
where else in the world. The cars
used are the ordinary open observa-
ton cars, and the motive power is for
the most part gravity. At the start
when the word ego ahead'' is given
the brakes are let off and the car runs
a few hundred yards down grade to
the foot of Mount Pisgah. Here the
cable is attached and the car with its
load of human freight is pulled quick
[y up an inclined plane at an angle of
about forty-fve degrees. Were the
to break, one feels that his
life would hardly be worth looking
after, and in this way the ride is
mighty "exhilerating." But great as
The danger Of this part OF it at first
appears, it is nothing compared to the
greater danger of the ride which fol-
ows down steep grade and around
sharp curves over a rough track and
1t speed which makes ones hair
stand on end. There is no engine and
10 power of any kind attached-noth-
NC but the brakes, and these were,
not made to use, for the
,ar is allowed to run mad, increasing
is velocity every rod. After a run of
eight miles, in which the breath has
been taken from every passenger on
BOARD, there is another ascent of an
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