The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-01-01
FROM THE ALLEN COUNTY DELEGATION
AT THE WORLDS FAIR.

NEW ORLEANS, La, Dec. 16, 1884.
In answer to the request of very
many friends we desire to write a
short letter. We concluded to try a
route somewhat different from that
which many Kansas people will prob
ably take in getting here. We left
lola on the Fl. Scott & Wichita r. r.
and arrived at st. Louis the next
morning. Then took the Iron Noun
tain & Southern which for % miles
passes within few feet of the Miss
ississippi River. The scenery is very
fine along this rocky shore. We pass
ed through the rocky hills of eastern
Missouri and down across the low
lands to the river again. There we
saw miles and miles of thick forest
composed almost entirely of Black
Gum and Cypress. Nearly all this
part of the country is overflowed, and
is very sickly and thinly inhabited. We
spent the night at Belmont, Missouri,
on the bank of the Mississippi River in
a hotel which had water two feet deep
on the first floor last spring. To any
one coming this route and wishing to
see the country we would say to leave
st. Louis OH the morning train and
spend the night at Belmont, Mo. The
next morning we crossed the river Oh
the rail road ferry to Columbus, KY
and changed cars to the Mobile & Ohio
railroad.
From here down the river may be
seen old-fashioned Southern planta-
tons. At Corinth, MISS, we saw traces
of the old rifie-pits made in war times.
All through the country from st. Louis
the Mississippi state line, we saw
scarcely a respectable looking orchard
of any kind, and stock of all kinds is
equally poor. Almost the entire coun-
try from the northern boundary of Ten
nessee until dark overlook us in Mis-
sissippi, the soil is thin and sandy, and
of superior quality. We were de-
layed a few hours at Meridian waiting
for belated train, and we were glad
oft, rs it gave us a daylight view of
Louisiana. When daylight beamed
we were among The tall cypress of
Louisiana, with Spanish moss hang
ing from their boughs. The swampy
forest soon gave way to grassy marsh
es, and in few minutes we were skim
ming above the surface of Lake Pom
chartrain. For seven miles the road is
built upon piles about twelve feet
above the water. Some of the piles are
driven sixty feet below the bottom OF
the lake. The road is very solid, and
the conductor told us that they made
faster time over this part of the road
than any other. We think the train
ran fully 80 miles per hour over the
lake. On the south side of Lake Pom
chartrain the foliage looked quite trop'
ical. The magnolias and palmettos
were OH every side and the spreading
I'VE OAKS nanS Iull Oh nlOSS.
Having landed at the Crescent depot
we went to the French market ard ate
a breakfast of most excellent oyster:
fresh from the shell. Anyone coming
to New Orleans should visit this mar
ket as it is the largest and quaintest il
the city. The long strings Of garlic
bundles OF cane in the stock to chew
and Babel of foreign tongues are truly
diverting to a Northerner. n stree
car soon took us to the Exposition
grounds where we found Commission
er Bacon and some other Kansas mel
busy at work.
, We are located at So Barronne St.
which is nearly three miles from the
grounds but it costs only cents tt
take US there. There are five of u!
Kansas folks at this house, and Their,
are three others close by. We pay 81:
per month for room for two, nicely
furnished with everything we need ex
! cept fuel. This we have rarely needed
and have only had fire three time!
SO far. We get our meals just where
we please. 1t is very common Gus.
tom to take meals in the market hous
es, and as our room is near good mar
ket we take the most of our meal:
there. The entire cost of our living
including car fare is less than one dol
lar per day. Others are paying abou
the same, and some more. Those who
wish can pay for eli the style they
please. but as yet ordinarily good &C
Communications are reasonable in price
The Exposition opened with cere,
monies to-day. but it will be month
at least before things will be in good
shape for visitors. Many of the small
er buildings are not even enclosed yes,
and some of the exhibits have not be.
gun to arrive.
The Great Eastern is expected about
Jan. 10th. Her dock is already built
at the foot of the grounds. a French
man-of- war is anchored abreast of the
city. We have had no time to see
things only as we happen to do SO in
attending to our own work. When we
get more time and know more to tell
we will write more.
n