Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1889-06-27
FROM ACROSS THF WATERS.

MARTIGNY, May 4th, 1889.
This evening we are here in the Switzerland
mountains and reasonably we'll; yesterday
being rainy and gloomy day for siRht-seers
or travelling we remained at Geneva, hop
ing to get some mail, but none from you since
the I4th of May. We spent some time look
ing through some watch shops and music box
factories. This morning at 9 O'Clock we
left by boat on the lake and came to Buvera;
at the top of the lake; we passed many pleas
ant little towns along the shore at the foot of
the mo untains. All available land that could
possibly be farmed is planted to grapes; they
have built many walls to prevent the soil from
Washing From Buvera we came along the riv-
er Rhone through narrow valley hemmed in
by high mountains, partly covered with snow,
from the melting of which we saw some fine
water falls. In a small way at st. Murick,
little town on our way by railroad, we saw
an old castle said to date A. D. 302; it looks
ancient and ruff, also find one here quite
different, said to have been built in the ninth
century; arrived here at 8 o'clock, visited the
town and small still, got drink Of cherry
brandy, l pronounced first cousin to American
apple-iack. Stayed at hotel Mont Blanc;
there are some very old buildings here built of
stone four stories high, walls three feet thick,
cement floors, stone stairways; now occupied
as shops and some stores.
Wednesday, May 9TH; we left Martigny in
one horse spring wagon, one horse in shafts
and another hitched on the corner of the
body or box; with three passengers and driv-
er, started on in good shape; we drove along
and soon had to start in on a ziz gag up the
side of the Alpine mountains on road, as
rule 10 foot wide. AS the assent increased
the driver took it afoot, by and by myself
and Mr.. You'll, passenger, took it afoot, and
finally Mr.. Trowbridge took pity on the
beasts and also tried it on foot, but he soon
became satisfied and concluded to let the
horses do the best they could. Finally your
humble servant got warmed up and lost his
sympathy for the animals and again got into
the wagon. The route lay through an open
commit n, occasionally huts, few of which
seemed to be closed, and others that we're
occupied looked like forlorn hope.
We finally reached Cal de TRENT, where we
commenced decending the opposite side
the driver unhitched one horse and tied him
behind, locked two wheels and led the horse
down very narrow steep road. Some time
we could look down 500 feet-the scenery was
grand. We soon reached Tete Deuore, where
we took dinner, after which we continued
yoosoad ornuN
villages at the foot of the mountains. We
find number of cafes, or refreshment
places; we paid six cents each for tumbler
| of milk. We arrived at Chamouni at 5 p. m;
the weather was pleasant until 8 p. M, when
it commenced raining. The Meridy CHASER
(the snow capped mountains) are grand
sight, Mt. Blank or White Mountain is the
most prominent.
Thursday at 5 a. m, the sky very clear and
the sun shining brightly, the snow capped
mountains were quite visible and the snow
looked as dry as in mid winter. At 7 p. m.
we bought tickets on Diligence for Geneva
| fare q Francs; we started with a load of 16
| passengers, four in a seat, and drawn by four
horses. This is splendid wide, graded and
macademized road, which passes through
Granco, fine scenery all the way, distance
of "a miles. We passed through several
villages and passed many old shrines or
crosses along the road; the buildings look
ancient, many made of timber. We arrived
at Geneva at 4 O'Clock in good health. To-
morrow friday, we leave here for BARGE
Iona, Spain. have received another letter
from brother Martin, written May 22nd.
Mr.. Trowbridge received one written May
2lst from Mrs. Loose.
| Yours truly,
| Toav Au KnrTrR