The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1885-08-20
AHEAITH REsnHI-

cry. BEFORE ne coulu De put Dack
In the one endurable position, his
cries were heartrending every note
Of distress from a low moan 10 pierc-
ing shrek filled the car for two or
three minutes. This was repeated all
through the night at intervals, and
we were all glad to see the rosy dawn
in the east. About 4 O'Clock the lit
tie sufferer seemed to have had his
sleep, and sat up bright and apparent
ly quite comfortable.
Arriving in X. C., as the whistles
sounded o o'clock, we proceeded to
get our ticket and baggage for Ex. s.
round trip ticket $3.50. Then a toler-
able fair breakfast at fhe Blossom
House. a little reeonnOitering foF
fresh J17fitl9 p from California or Texas
and then to the cars, and were soon
started of. Missouri along this line
Is very much Missouri mostly tim
ber-a wOnderOus growth Of under
brush covered with vines, make Il
seem impenetrable. The settlements
consist Of from four 10 a dozen houses.
set down wherever they pleased to
put them, without regard to points Of
compass. Should II by any chance
grow to be q town, ii would be un-
fortunate for some property holders,
as they would be liable to be cut into
both ways, which would be a greater
misfortune than moving in ones
front fence.
For an hour we were being whirled
along past all this dreary outlook,
when we were startled by a call, as
the train Stacked its speed Missouri
City, change for Excelsior Springs"
There was "A general rush and scram-
ble for the best seats. We were not
going TO be OutdOne and ride ten
miles over the wheels, so we rushed
and scrambled with the rest, and Sc
cured one Of the best-the middle seat
in the coach. There were five cOach-
e., each carrying six passengers, in
Guiding driver. When all was ready,
of the five teams started--at about $50
o'clock. The driver informed US that
on account OF very heavy rains two
nights before, Il wObld take until
noon to reach the Springs. The
morning was fine, with fresh, clear
air and the coach being opened al the
sides we enjoyed il much. But the
roads surpassed anything in our ex-
peTience-in and out, up and down.
along rocky hills with abrupt curves,
the rocks jutting out I'm ledges all the
length up aud down /; at the lowest
point, regular bOulders with a little
water trickling by. When we leave
the rocky portions, we are treated to
numerous mud-hOles and ruts, with O
little smooth road. They have
unique way Of repairing "A long, low
stretch of road by cutting the heavy
timber that grows on either side and
laying II across the road foot, two
feet or more or less, as il happens.
Our "pard" suggested corduroy
road" / would suggest a few more !
"cOrd" for the comfort of passengers
compelled 10 travel that way We of |
course complained and objected to |
such treatment and spoke in most |
glowing terms OF Kansas roads, per
hapsiwith some little exaggeratiOn but |
one could he forgiven that under the |
trying circumstances. The driver |
tells us that the amount OF |
jOlting il a necessary prelude 10 |
cure and we are willing to cOncede |
that as we survived, seemingly, no |
worse for il. Aside from the jOlting |
our ride was very enjoyable. The |
timber is better than along the r. r |
line, being much less underbrush. |
Many raspberry and blackberry BUSH
es, and one Of the passengers, a Mis-
sOurian, tells us also bushels Of straw /
berries In their season. We also saw /
In the damp, rocky portions, ferns
and fine delicate looking vines grow
ing. We passed one hard maple
grOve-a sap bush. We had forgot
ten how lovely the trees are. Large
straight, long trunks with great arms
reaching ont and heavy foliage, with
such self-respecting, dignifled bear
ing that IN comparison make our cot
ton wood crop so like 'pOOr Whhc
trash. Down with the cotton
wood, up with most anything else"
We PASSED one large, painted farm
house, the only one on the route that
seemed prosperous. This belonged Ia
one Ford, an uncle of the notorious
Ford boys. In discussing the farm
and its owner, the MissOurian SAYS
"If you are looking for a gentleman,
you will have To look outside OF the
Ford family" So they seem not in
good repule at home. Finally, we are
pointed out the first house in the sub
urhs Of Ex. s. but we ha Se vet sew
eral rough, rocky declines and a creek
To wade before we drive into town
frrf l. Of 1nNf rasNu |
we read about. The crack ef the driV-
eT's whip and the dashing curve
around the last corner, was replaced |
by a pair Of worn and jaded horses
dragging a tired, hungry crowd up Ia
a building much like the old Planters
House of Salina-l5 years ago. The
landlord rushes I'm and brings a chair
to aid the ladies In allghting. The
other passengers alighung, we are
driven around to a Mrs. Snapp,
where we secure comfortable quarters
for our two weeks stay. We have
pleasant room, good table, and every
attention, for which we pay S. per
week. At our retreat we find fami-
lies from X. c., St Joe. Judge
johnson, Of Minneapolis, Kansas, and
our genial neighbOr, IL. Beeknan,
MuurE ntalAu We AlE Elau " hal y
quite improved. The town Is a most
forlOrn, ,unkempt, place off 800 or 800 in
habitants. There may he regular
laid out streets but the dilRpidated
sidewalks, or no sidewalks at all and
no shade trees, with little foot paths
running here and there through im-
mense growth Of rank weeds and
coarse grass, reminds one Of Wash
ingtOn Irving's theory Of the origin Of
n. Y.'s crooked streets. We walk
down the street on a narrow board
walk past one story cottages Of from
two TO four rooms, with yards gOrg
eOus with marigOlds and zinnias, in
terspersed with smart weed, plantain
and other familiar weeds we could not
name. This walk terminates in a
style, which leads into a little yard
with a little house Overrun with wild
cucumber vines. This Is a portion Of
one OF the best looking streets In the
very quiet little town OF Ex.S Weare
occasionally treated TO a
surprise, as In going 70 church Sab
bath morning we were treated To a
very excellent sermon by a Christian
minister from Liberty. The subject
-"Self Government"
The only thing guests have to do
here for diversion is eat and drink,
and drink much and often, which
proves quite a diversion. One deli
cate little lady tells rs she drinks four /