The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1885-02-13
NEW ORLEANS, JAN. 80, 1855.

Leaving Dakota in October, after
spending three weeks in New York,
have now had the pleasure of an ocean
voyage to New Orleans. On board our
steamship We had the best of living, u
genial company Of passengers and jolly
good captain. The sea was rough the
first two days cut from New York and of
coulse, there was the usual amount of
sea-sickness-the interest of voyage
would be incomplete without it. About
seventeen times during one day bowed
my head in active obedience to the
promptings ofthe inner man. ACentury
sketch artist on board found employment
in picturing unfortunate victims in
various attitudes. Later conspiracy to
throw him overheard secured solemn
promise not to allow any of these car.
toons to appear in the magazine. Dur
ing the balny, summer days that follow
ed we enjoyed ourselves thoroughly.
Our course had been about fifty miles
out from land, but to avoid the current
of the gulf stream We sailed nearly all
one day close to the Florida coast. Here
our attention was divided between the
evergreen scenery ON shore and watching
the porpoise that followed our ship, and
other curious fish. The old woman who,
willing to accept the truth of any other
fish story, said, "You can't never make
me believe fish has got wings" would
have been convinced here by an unlucky
one that flew too high, lighted on deck
and was captured by the mate. Half q
dozen lighthouses are to be seen while
among the reefs to the south of Florida.
We had good view of the town of Key
West and passing Tortugas were again
out Of sight Of land for thirty-six hours
on the warm waters of the Gulf of
Mexico. Early in the morning a pilot
came OIL board to guide us through the
difficult passage of the jetties at the
mouth ofthe Mississippi. After passing
quarantine we sailed the 10 miles up
the river by daylight. The tropical
scenery is full Of interest to Nortlerner.
Many Of the sugar plantations, rice fields
and orange groves are below the level
of the river, protected 10y levees. AS we
neared New Orleans there were many
regrets at having to leave the ship.
We had enjoyed our week ut sea and had
come 1856 miles according to the log
NEW ORLEANS.
Visitors are not at first favorably inn
pressed with the "Crescent City $50
named because it encrcles o regular
curve Or crescent of the river, similar to
one of the bends of our raging Red. Tho
streets run parallel with and at right
angles to the river and consequently
double up OH themselves in confusing
shape. Most of them are narrow and
only few leading ones paved. The
others are in worse condition than the
streets of Grand Forks or Fargo in May.
However, with good sidewalks and
an admirable system of street railway,
there is 10 difficulty in getting about
the city. Five cents pays for ride Of
six miles from the heart Of the city to
the Exposition grounds. These grounds
as well as large part of the city, are
just now five feet below the level of the
river. Recent disasters to public
property in London suggests how easily
great amount of damage could be
wrought very quickly here with shovels
instead Of dynamite. Notwithstanding