Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1888-10-11
Notes of Recent Journey to the Pacific
BY COL. W. P. cRAIGHILL.

Dl NOL. w l. NhAANhAl4Ls
One of my first thoughts upon reach
ing st. Paul was that within its limits
was Charlestown man, Mr. c. Porter
field, and l tried to see him as supposed
he would like to talk with some one who
had so lately seen his relatives and friends.
But was unable to find him during the
few hours of my stay in the city.
The first thing we did was to secure
our tickets to Portland, and check our
trunks. | had visits at the hotel from
General Ruger, commanding the military
department, whose headquarters are at St.
Paul; from General Vincent, his adju-
tant-general, a classmate of mine at West
Point; and from Major Allen, the En-
gineer officer stationed at st. Paul and in
charge of the improvement of the Missis-
sippi river in that section, including the
construction of reservoirs at the head
waters to impound the surplus in floods
to be again let loose in dry seasons for
increasing the navigable depth of wet
times.
For the moderate sum of $50 we each
purchased ticket to go by the Canadian
Pacific road to Portland, Oregon, good
for 2 months; and enabling us to return
to ST. Paul via the Northern Pacific road,
good for 4 months more with stOp-ofi
privilege along stations on either line.
OF course our meals, berths in sleeping
car, &c, were extra. Imay here remark
that the whole trip of month cost less
than $500.
One of the first things I did in ST.
Paul was to write letter home. l had
dropped into the mail number of pos
tails between Baltimore and St. Paul. 1t
is very convenient before starting on a
long journey to write the home address
in ink on several postals which can be
written up in pencil on the way and drop
ped into postal cars or boxes as occasion
may offer. 1t is a satisfaction to the
folks at home to receive these little mis-
sives in which the travellers can give
brief account of themselves at frequent
intervals. Envelopes may be similarly
addressed and stamped before starting, a
sheet of paper being folded and placed
in each for writing brief letters home
ward. A fountain pen, filled before
starting, is also great convenience for a
traveller who wishes to write on the cars
or elsewhere. When one is thus Jour
neying from home, while he may keep
the homefolks posted as to his movements
from time to time, he can hear nothing
from them unless he stops some time. In
this respect those who remain behind
have great advantage over the travel
Ter. Thus while my family were hearing
from me every day, heard nothing from
them until Portland was reached more
than a week after left them.
Hearing that the silver coin and notes
of the United States were at a discount
in the British Provinces, we exchanged
some Of our money for gold. After sup
per in St. Paul We left that city about 10
p. m. We soon passed through Mime
apolis, crossing the Mississippi river just
below the Fal of St. Anthony. 1t was,
however, too dark for US to see the city
or the falls, though we plainly heard the
roar of the latter.
We left St. Paul by the ST. Paul and
Manitoba road, expecting to have an
early breakfast at a little town called
Barnesyille, but on waking in the morn
inc we found ourselves more than hours
late, the engine having broken down in
the night. 1t was nearly II before we
had breakfast and poor one it was, the
coffee being very weak and other things
after the same style. But we were glad
to get it, as we were hungry and knew it
was that or nothing. During the 10th
our course was very nearly north, through
very fiat country in the valley Of the
Red River Of the North.
Just after crossing the border We took
late dinner which answered also for
supper. The sunset was for brilliancy
and variety of color the finest l have
ever seen, and | have looked at some
very beautiful ones in Charlestown where
We are highly favored in tina respect.
have also had the good fort, 70 see til,