The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1888-12-27
CORRESPONDENCE.
Personal AND REFLECTIVE.

Pontiac, MICHIGAN.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE BANNER
Dear Sir After several years OF very
pleasant connections with your valuable
paper as local correspondent from that
GOOD old town of Pownal, and the quiet,
Seaceable little village, North Pownal, l
cannot refrain from writing to you. Mr..
Editor and all BANNER friends, at this
time, and in this far off western city,
though in person / am separated from
those dear old friends, and from old
Vermont with its lofty mountains ana
beautiful valleys, yet in mind l am with
YOU all every day, and as L READ the
news always found in the columns OF
that reliable county paper, the BANNER,
| seem to be with you in reality put
alas. how soon do | find that those
thoughts are but passing visions. i0r IN
stead find myself in this beautliul III
tie western city of Pontiac, in the state
of Michigan, and the county seat OF oak-
land county. You may say What is
there about this that is of interest to us;
Though there may be nothing, yet VIII
ask YOU to 90 with me in investigation
for a few minutes. Firstly, we will take
a westerly course from the city, and
after ride over a delightfully."- good road
of 30 minutes, through charming sec
ton of farming country, we come 10
"Orchard Lake" so widely known as
the seat of Michigan's Military School,
and of its beauty as q lake, with It's sur
roundings, one cannot say too much'
Now, on our return by another hiShI
way, equally pleasant, we pass Walle9
Lake, Dollar Lake, Pine Lake, Llmbered
Lake and Long Lake, all of which are
more than mill ponds in size and attrac,
tions. Excellent fishing and duck ana
quail hunting is to be found IN and
around these bodies of water, and last
on the Journey through-not least is
the Eastern Michigan Insane Asylum.
Had we the time we would go through
this elegant home for the unfortunate
ones of this section of Michigan but
as we have not the time now, will take
a look at the grounds, beautifully laid
out with large displays of flower beds;
hot houses, shrubs, ETC., walks ana
drives leading through the lawns ana
groves, interspersed with neat summer
Auses and settees all this surrounds
6e of the most elegant public buildings
Zone will see in days ride, OF the most
tasty and modern designs, and fitted up
with all the most improved conyenlen-
ces for the comfort and welfare of the
745 inmates and 200 officials and attend
ants. While conversing with the genial
steward, Mr.. G. C. Seagraves, not long
after Thanksgiving, he said to the writ
er that it was a sight worth looking at
to see the dinner as it was prepared
Thanksgiving day tor 945. Such one
is seldom seen by us, while the thoughts
of friends becoming insane is terrible for
us, yet when we see the comforts meet
ed out to those who are thus afflicted, 1t
softens that feeling very much. Their
friends are allowed the privilege OF Wis
iting the inmates at leisure, and satisfy
themselves that everything is being done
for them that medical skill and syste-
matte management can offer. Now as
we return to the city, Mr.. Editor, feel
that | have detained you too long yet
this little visit, though in feeble way,
has been of much enjoyment to me. and
at some future date will take another
stroll with you in vain imagination, and
as | from time to time cast my eye over
the "home spun news of that good old
home paper of yours, shall think OF
the many old Vermonters who also may
be reading the same coun y news. Now,
until we meet again, beg to remain as
of yore in your esteem. Very respect
fully yours, ETC., FRANK p. GAINES.