The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-11-05
Acra So the Cor tiuenI.

Across the Cor tinenu.
Having determined, early in the present
year, ITO remove to the Pacific coast. many
friends in various portions Of Au-
gusta county requested me to write them
personally of the country passed over and
the state chosen as al home. This, how
ever, l soon found to be task too great to
comply with. hope then they will be
satisfied with such dots or notes as they
find inthe VALLEY VIRGINIAN and other
county papers which choose to copy.
We begin our dots at the Union Depot,
of st. Louis, the metropolis of the Missis-
sippi Valley, the sixth city of the United
States in population, the central depot Of
exchange and supply for large part of the
Union. j AS depot for agricultural and
grazing products it lis simply enormous
Nature has profusely furnished everything
that can make people. rich, prosperous
and great. Four large. water ways, the Mis-
souri,. Ohio, the upper and lower Mississippi,
with their numerous branches, make it the
centre of many thousands of miles for
river nay(ion. Twenty-four lines of
railway centre here like the spokes of a
huge wheel. All these lines bring in the
vast mineral treasures of the Pacific re-
gions, with the amazing products of mil
lions of rich acres. and will. continue to
push forward the greatnessssof. st. Louis
for many years to.cSme.
An'exchange of through tickets and Ire-
checking of baggage prepared us to enter
the S. p. r. R.. which is 2.644 miles long
to its terminus at San Francisco of this
distance 2, $50 miles was ours. to pass over.
Our train moved slowly over the ponder
Gus bridge, which spans the king of rivers.
In this structure science has..don6its work
in strength and durability. Gigantic piers
and towers of hewn store, steel arches,
huge hollow tubes and countless Braces Of
iron, all bear we'll their part, and render
the whole beautiful and secure. No
sooner off the bridge than you find your
self under the city by passing through a
long dark tunnel which terminates on the
southwest.
The fertile Drairies and rich titled lands
on the South side of the Missouri river
produce all that man has right to expect
grass, hay, grain, tobacco. horses, mules,
cattle, sheep and hogs, may be seen to per
lection. Orchards of many acres laden
with choice fruit, surrounded with an or
namental fence or hedge, and large and
beautiful vineyards, with the same kind of
enclosures, greet you by the way. Farm
buildings situated at q suitable distance
from the road, in which you may see much
taste, beauty and convenience displayed,
and durable materials used.
Jefferson City, many miles up the Mis-
siouri river, is the capitol of the State.
Many important towns md railway sta
lions are passed through from st. Louis to
this place. The country around the CAPT.
tol is rich and productive, having Mis-
souri, river on the east and Usage river
west, and the city partakes largely OF the
generosity and prosperity of a people.
whose future destiny must be onward
upward and great.
Sedalia is large and beautiful town
amp very important railway station. Per
haps no city i'll the West can set up {
stronger claim to praise, for the peaceful
and quiet habits of its citizens, and fol
the order, courtesy and fidelity Of its police
The State of Kansas, being located
within the Northern division of the U. S.
| is classed with the States of the Plains
TO the appearance of passing stranger
Kansas is d good country. Life, energ.
and enterprise are presented on ever,
hand. Rich prairies have been put undei
the pillow, on which wheat, cane, frui
trees, sorgum, blue grass, orchard grass
timothy, red and white clover grow luxuri
antly. Vast herds of fat cattle and sheer
may be seen grazing aud all look in prime
condition. Green fields, orchards ant
hedges show but little signs of the havoc
of devouring locusts of a few years past
Railroads and streams of water traverse
| the country, while numerous churches ant
school houses tell of moral and intellectual
training.
| Fort Scott and the City of Parsons ar
important railroad stations. The latte
place is situated in a most beautiful coun
try, has many fine houses, tasteful garden
and pleasure grounds, where hardy
happy looking people walk about at pleas
ure.
Indian Territory, this most beautiful 0
all places in the Union, is part Of the hig
plains that extend west to the Rock
] mountains. 1t lies southeast of Kansa
4 and is the home of the Cherokees, Semi
noles, Chickasaws, Greeks aud Choctaws
The first town of much note on the line q
the railway is Vinita, within the border
of the Cherokees, being junction for raj
roads from Missouri and Kansas makes
place of business. Perhaps no territo1
Of land of equal extent in the same lat
tude can be found on the earth to surpas
this in beauty. fertility and widesprea
scenery. Waters roll their gentle Gu
rents eastward through vast plain
emerald green. White-tented encam
ments in the far distance can be seen shi
ing in timid white in a world of gree
Hay stacks by thousands are scattered fl