Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1888-08-04
CORRESPONDENCE
Troy. DoNIPHAN Co., Kas.
July SOth, 1888. ]


EDITOR MARTINsBURe INDEPENDENT
Dear Sir: Seeing notices in your
paper of the various outings of diff
ferent church societies of Berkeley,
and especially of one to Island Park
BY the Mt. Zion School of Hedges
vile, previous one of which had
the pleasure of joining, ! thought
perhaps some of our friends would
enjoy hearing of an excursion in
which we participated last week in
Kansas.
Hiawatha is the shire town of
Brown county, county lying west
and contiguous to Doniphan. 1t is
claimed to be one of the prettiest
towns of the west and situated in the
most beautiful and fertile country in
the United States. | could not learn
that the name of the town has any
association with Longfellow's Indian
poem. The meaning OF the word
High divide" is applicable as to its
situation.
The Presbyterian and Methodist
Churches of Troy chartered two
coaches and, about nine O'Clock on
the twenty seventh, we started on
our twenty-eig miles ride. The
coaches were filled to overlooking,
and as many as could find standing
room on the platforms did so, both
for the advantage of sightseeing and
the benefit of the breeze.
Berkeley was represented by Mrs.
James Saxton, Mr.. and Mrs. Chas.
Ellis. Messsrs. Will Ellis, Frank Ell
lis, Poland Williamson and your
correspondent.
Our ride was q slow one, past sew
eral pretty and growing towns, and
through a splendid section of coun-
try.
Corn is the predominating crop
and it is in most beautiful condi-
ton now, q deep, dark green, tassel-
ed and silking. We passed one large
field after another, varied occasion
ally by field of wheat shocks and
pasture land. One can form no bet
/, ter idea of the prosperity of q coun-
try than in these extensive, thriving
corn fields of which there are la, 31S
acres in Brown county.
Arrived at Hiawatha we met with
q most cordial reception. The city
park, in the center Of which is the
court house, was placed at our dis
posal. Through the grounds were
placed an abundance of comfortable
chairs, mean an abundance for all.
Two large tanks were kept supplied
with ice water. An organ was furn-
ished for the band stand, it being i'm
possible for the band to give us mus
ic that day, but our town being a
musical one, we enjoyed some fine
singing az intervals. At two o'clock
procession of carriages was formed
to carry us around the city, a cour
tesy extended by the people of Hia-
watha, and highly appreciated by us.
Our party was in charge of a young
collegian, who intelligently and kind
lv showed us all the various points
of interest, the handsome residences
of number of individuals, the GENE
terry, on the road to which we had
view of still prettier stretch of
country the Academy which is now
building and which is justly source
of great pride to people who place
education next to their God, their
country and their homes. Last, we
drove to the Hon. Z. n. Morrill's
residence. ''Our representative" our
cicerone said, somewhat as though
he were solely Hiawhatha's, but, as a
U. S. representative is part and par
eel of the republic, we put in feeble
claim pro, and admired the beautiful
grounds and the open gate, which,
like his hands, it is said, is never
closed to the public. This is eXem-
plifed in their handsome Academy,
public library, and other institutions
founded and fostered by his liberali-
ty. We entered the open gate, drove
among the overarching evergreens,
and as we inhaled the odor Of the
pines were reminded of dear old
North Mountain. On our return we
again boarded the train and rushed
homeward through binding storm
which was most unpleasant to us, so
densely crowded as we were in the
coaches. All of us protested our
selves delighted with the ride, the
country and the people, and perfect
ly willing to own farm near Hiawa-
tina. l.. b. III.