Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1886-08-26
To The Pacific Coast.

a sketch of some of the interesting ex-
periences of tourist on the late G. A.
X. excursion to San Francisco. The
portion Of the Wisconsin delegation of
which he formed part started from
Chicago Thursday evening, July p.
They were rs in number. At Council
Bluffs where the train was made up for
the U. 2. road, the Worcester excursion
car, occupied by Gen. Fairchild and his
party, was attached. Other cars bear
ing other excursions made up q long
train.
Those OF our readers who haye seen
lot of old soldiers at a reunion can
form some idea of what jolly excur-
sion party they would make. A
few days travel together on the same
car or boat thaws out the most reserved
and makes of party one large family.
This party needed no thawing out. The
inimitable Phil Cheek, Jr., was on hand
with his fund of anecdotes and songs. A
comrade named Crawford from Osh-
kosh composed very clever poem
bringing in each member of the party,
which they sang with great effect to the
tune OF Marching Through Georgia. ="
Among the veterans who joined the
excursion at Cauncil Bluffs and Omaha
was a man named Aiken. who will be
remembered by many as Lancaster
visitor in the fall of "a. II his name is
not familiar recall a tall, gaunt man
wearing long blue coat, adorned with
number of fantastic notices and car
rying banner on which were printed
the words democrats Repent" Aiken
enlisted in the army from La Fayette
County and the loss of his mental fac
ulties was the result of hardships en-
dured in the service of his country.
He made the trip and was last seen by
our informant in San Francisco.
The principal points of interest on
the trip as far rs Denver have already
been given our readers in the interest
ing letter OF Captain Alex. Ivey in our
issue of August 2.
The next point of interest was Chey-
enne. the capital of Wyoming Terri
tory. and the home of many noted cat
tie kings. After leaving Cheyenne the
road crosses the Continental Divide
where the tourist is treated to views of
the grandest scenery in the world. The
Hottest point of the transcontinental
ride is at Sherman, 1926 feet high.
Near here is the Ames monument, a
pyramidal granite structure, erected by
the Union Pacific Company to the mem
DRY of the Ames brothers, Oliver and
and Cakes, to whom the completion OF
the road was largely due. r
After passing the divide the road de-
scends into the Laramie Plains, dotted
here and there by sheep ranches, and
where herds of antelope are frequently
seen. The plains are succeeded by :,
desert stretch covered with sage brush.
AT some places in this section. particu-
larry at Rock Springs, the scene of the
recent Chinese massacre, coal of the fin
est quality is mined.
Arrived st Ogden, the party found
that arrangements had been made by
the railroad companies and prominent
gentiles for them to visit Salt Lake
City. and their cars were transferred
to the Union Central. This arrange
ment was made in order that these peo-
pie from the Eastern and Middle state s
might have an opportunity to investi-
gate for themselves the condition of al
fairs in a city and territory where all
the government machinery is in the
hands of Mormons. The result of these
investigations, and the impression made
upon the observing members of the
itself. Nor can we attempt any descrip-
ton of this interesting city. Every del
egation was rendered reception, and
speeches were made both by residents
and visitors. Phil Cheek made them a
characteristic speech, prefacing hls re-
marks with the statement that ho was
the only surviving private of the late
war. The rest were Generals, Colonies,
Captains. etc.
The HERALD has already published
accounts of the program carried out
there and of the various excursions tn
to other interesting points in the viciD-
ity. The headquarters of the Wiscon-
sin delegation was at the Baldwin Ho-
tel. The register was kept there, and
many former residents of the stat,
called to see their old acquaintances.
Among the former Grant County peo-
pie whom Mr.. Schreiner met while
there were Mrs. Steele. formerly Miss
Smith, of Lancaster; l.. Tiel and his
wife, a daughter of Col. John G.. Clark;
ID. b. Arthur, brother of l.. j Arthur;
Miss Kittie Shrader, Thomas Stephens,
brother of Joel Stephens. of Rock
vile; Mrs. Knott, formerly Miss Louise
Schmitt. of Lancaster; Mr.. Campbell,
brother of George p. b. Campbell,
formerly of Boice Greek; w. T. Cook
and ID. E. Wilson, formerly Grant
County boys, Mrs. A. M. Cox, formerly
Sarah Pascoe. of Hazel Green and Mr..
and Mrs. George Francis. Mr. Fran
els was former typo of the HERALD
and is now editor of the Napa City
Register, Mrs. Francis is also from
Grant. and was Miss Horton. He
ALSO called upon Mrs. Doane, who,
with her daughter, spent part of the
summer in Lancaster, and found her
well and her daughter much better
since her return.
| Patch Grove.
Miss Nina Scott, of Galena, is visit
| ing her brother, Carson Scott.