The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1886-07-09
OF INTEREST TO q. A. R.
Circular Letter No. 1.

Circular Letter No. 1.
HEADQUARTERS DEPT OF MINNESOTA,
GRAND ARMY OF TIE REPUBLIC,
MINNEAPoLIs MINI. JUNE 30th 1886. }
The Committee on Transportation, af-
ter full investigation, have selected the
following route for the excursion to San
Francisco, to attend the National En-
campment of the Grand Army of the
Republic. The excursion train will
leave st. Paul and Minneapolis July
Goth, via the Chicago, st. Paul, Mime
apolis Il Omaha line to Kansas City.
Leaving Kansas City on July 2lst, via
the Atchison, Topeka Il Santa Fee and
Atlantic & Pacific railways, following up
the X, 4 valley through orchards and
corn fields, past Lawrence, the historic
city, and Topeka, the capital city, cross
ing over to the great Arkansas valley,
which we will follow for several hum
dred miles; passing the Mennonite set
Element, where the manufacture of sug-
ar and silk are quite important indus
tries passing the large stock ranches OF
western Kansas; arriving ut La Junta,
Colorado, on the 22nd of July. Going
southwark from there, with Pixies
Peak and its snow cap summit in full
view on our right, and the foot hills and
plain to our left, we reach the Ration
mountains, where we attach another
heavy engine and begin our circuitous
route up the mountain side, through
the finest of scenery, until the summit
il nearly reached, where we pass into a
short tunnel and emerge into daylight
again in the great Territory of New
Mexico, having crossed the Colorado
line while in the tunnel.
Leaving the mountain, we glide
smoothly along through beautiful val
lev, passing the great stock ranches and
summer mansions of Col. Bob Ingersoll
and Dorsey. Arriving at Las Vegas, we
will stop one day to rest and battle at
the celebrated Hot Springs, the pref
test spot in the world and natures
greatest sanitarium. Leaving the Hot
Springs, we pass southwark, crossing
the Glorieta range of mountains and
wind through narrow passes and de-
files to the plains below. Arriving at
Lamy, we make detour of eighteen
miles to Santa Fee, the oldest city on the
continent, where stands towering
cathedral erected in the year lib.
Here we will make another stop of one
day, giving all chance to vista typical
Mexican city, full of ancient curiosities
and wonders of by-gone days.
Leaving Santa Fee, we cross the range
to the great Rio Grande river. which we
cross near Albuquerque, where we turn
westward, soon entering Arizona, the
home of the Aztecs and cliff jewellers,
running for whole day through mag
nifcent pine forests, passing the great
canyon Diablo, that great crack in the
earth two hundred feet wide and three
hundred feet deep; passing Peach
Springs, the nearest point to the Grand
Canyon of the Colorado, and crossing
the canyon of the Colorado river at the
Needels, where we enter the great state
of California.
A few miles farther west, ut Barstow,
we again make q detour, passing San
Barnadino and Riverside, reaching San
Diego, where for the first time we reach
the Pacific ocean. Resting here for u
day, we Will turn our faces northward,
stopping ut Los Angeles to spend day
and rest amidst the luxurious orange
groves and vineyards of southern Cali
fornia. This the Getty of the Angels"
is famous as the tourists paradise and
the home for the traveller. Leaving
Los Angeles after resting and refresh
ing ourselves, we journey northward,
entering the Tehachapi pass, where we
wind entirely around a mountain and
then pass through the summit by a
short tunnel, and on past Lake Tulaire,
reaching San Francisco in ample time
to rest and get settled before the En-
campment opens.
From San Francisco, parties desiring
to do so can return via the Central and
Union Pacific or Denver d Rio Grande
railways, both of which offer fine seem
cry. The main excursion, however,
will return via ocean steamer to Port
land, Oregon, and the Northern Pacific
railway, visiting the famous Yellow
stone Park and points of interest in
Oregon, Washington and Idaho, pass
ing through the heart of the bad lands
and large wheat fields of Dakota.
Excursionists from northern Mime
sofa, Wisconsin and Dakota are request
ed to join our party at st. Paul or Min
neapolis. Parties living in the southern
part of the state can join us at Mankato,
Prairie junction or Worthington. The
department of Dakota have accepted
our invitation and will join us at Sioux
City. Many comrades from Wisconsin
have signified their intention of going
with us.
Sleeping cars have been arranged for,
and those desiring berths should cor
respond with Daniel Fish, A. A. G.,
saying how many berths are required,
that all may be provided for. A limited
number of family sleepers will be fur
nished free of charge for those who do
not wish the expense ola Pullman car.
Such parties Will be required to furnish
their own blankets and pillows.
The fare for round trip, from st. Paul
and Minneapolis, exclusive of sleepers,
will be, returning same route, S2.5O.
Returning via Denver d Rio Grande or
Union Pacific Railway, $500. Return
ing via Portland and Northern Pacific
Railway, $7l.00.
This will be the greatest trip of our
lives, passing through thirteen states
and territories. traversing the Pacific
coast from Mexico TO British Column
bia, and ride on the Pacific ocean new
er to be forgotten. The Department of
Minnesota respectfully invite all Com
rades of the Grand Army, Woman's Re-
lief Corps, and kindred organizations,
and all old soldiers with their families
and friends, to join us. 1t is important
that all parties desiring to make this
trip should join the main excursion, as
over six hundred miles ofside trips will
be made rec of charge, and the most
important points on the continent visit
ed, which favors will only be granted
to those going with the main party, a
saving of over one hundred dollars.
Parties desiring maps of further in
formation address Daniel Fish, "A. A. g.,
Loan Il Trust Building, Minneapolis,
Mimi.
Post Commanders are requested to
secure the publication of this circular
in their local papers.
;,,E ~ nd I