West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1886-07-09
California Lcttcr.
SAN FRANCISCO. Juno

Permit me room in your we'll known
columns, TO write short sketch OF
my travels through the great western
States, and of my experience in this
beautiful city and its surroundings.
have been here, the 10 of This
month, two months, and | assure you
and your many readers. it is worth
any ones time and money TO visit
California. My fare out here, from
Grafton, cost me S26.50. But took
the advantage of the cut rates which
were booming ut that time but they
have since gone up to about $500.
You could have Purchased ticket
from Kansas City To San Francisco,
over 1000 miles, for IS. On rail.
roads west of that city is where the
war took place.
San Francisco, Los Angeles and
other cities in this great State were
crowded with people, and are yet
many of them compelled to stay on
account of the rates taking a sudden
rise.
have witnessed some grand
scenery since left the little noun
famous State OF w. Va.
Kansas City, the once gloomy spot
called "Westport Landing quar-.
ter of century ago, has now pop.
ulation of more than 100000, and is
growing almost as fast as it is said
to be. 1t is n wonderful depot where
one round dozen roads make up their
trains.
"Atchison, Topeka & Santa Pc
[my road), all aboard for Kansas,
Colorado and Southern Cal" That
is ours, let us go" | said to my COM
rades, Mr.. L. Il. Gaddis, of Dunbar,
Pa, and a. u. Warren, of Preston
County. So away we glide over the
most historical ground in the known
world. -Four days journey is yet be-
fore us, two having already passed,
Topeka is the next place of note,
original starting point of the Santa
Fe route, population 10000, was our
stop for dinner.
Emporia is said to have the richest
population and has the most extern.
sive agriculture and stock country
in the United States.
We traversed during the night of
the first day the great grazing region
of South. western Kansas and are now
about $40 miles west Of Kansas city.
We pass through tunnel at Baton
Pass and enter New Mexico. This is
the ancient gate way of the Santa Fe
route, or trail, 1922 feet high and
the crest of the continent. The
mountain sceneries, settlements and
the valleys,or meadows, called vegas,
are grand beyond description.
Things to eat are beginning to cost
something-meals $3.50, eggs 5cts
each, butter 60cts pound.
Albuquerque is reached the next
day, junction with the Atlantic and
Pacific line. During the night we
passed Apache Canyon and the
Glorietta range.
We made the last and only change
at Albuquerque.
Crossing the Colorado River we see
that hidous crack in the face Of the
earth called Canyon Diablo, and en-
tering the Flagstaff, the magnificent
pine forests, through the shade of
which the train passed nearly half
the night For the rest, it has been
that wide and treeless Arizona across
which is breaking the first civiliza-
ton, and a dreary desert it is, peaks
and vallies with snow capped noun
tains above you and sun scorched
plains below, makes the eyes ache in
the recollection, In coming from the
Needles we descend mountain that
the train makes a perfect loop by
tunneIing under the already crossed
road.
Old friends Of Preston, you may
think the scenery along the Cheat
River grand and picteruque, but it is
only moments gaze while here are
days in comparison.
l will give you sketch Of San
Francisco next week as IL is to
lengthy for one issue. receive your
paper every Thursday and it is "a
welcome visitor too. / would love TO
see more letters from Preston pen
singers; don't let corn planting and
hoeiDg take up all your time.
Harvesting is being completed in
this country, and planting for anoth.