Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-11-29
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LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA, /.

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| LETTER FROM CALIFORNIA.
SACRAMENTO, Cal Nov. Goth
Your correspondent with three other
Christian county people left your
city on the night of ths 4th bound for
tho Pacific slopo.. Onthe following
morning we were In the Union depot
al ST. Louis, with a host Of fellow
travellers. PsrtaklDg Of a hasty break
1 fast, all hands were prepared, TO de-
part on their respective routes. The
| Chicago & Alton railroad passes
through q portion OF Illinois crossing
the river at Alton and thence IN y
q southwesterly direction 10 Kansas
City. 1t has never been my fortune
to pass through a more fertile and
beautiful. .couutry +; splendid farming
lands for stock and grain, elegant
country residences and nourishing
towns lay on both sides of our route.
Large herds Of cattle were seen grsz-
Ing on the blue grass lands of Mis-
souri,. Our first days journey. " as
across the great state Of Missouri
Kansas City was reached at seven or
eight o'clock that evening.
| was not prepared 10 realize the
growth and prosperity of this west
ern city since was here in 1855. As
a railroad center aud commercial
point, with the splendid streets Of
solidly built buildings, street rai-
ways aud onierprising business men,
II stands in the front ranks. At this
place the Chicago delegation to the
National Grange joined other repre-
sentatives from the different states.
One train carried all OF the excur-
sionists, over q hundred In number.
Lunch baskets were carried generally
by the party. The expenses OF the
trip is thereby lessened and comfort
and pleasure increased. The COM
pany had a merry good time in par
taking OF the good cheer of breakfast,
dinner aud supper; occasionally q
meal would be taken at tn. eating
houses. After getting 10 Colorado
the aspect OF the country changes
from the prairies to more diversified
snd rugged country. In going up TO
Denver we encountered a snow
storm, and In climate correspond
ing to our Jan. and Feb. snow and
Ice hard enough to skate on. The
Grange party were giveu asbanquet
at Denver and treated as distin
guished guests. Tho weather was
unfavorable for making tour OF
the city. The next point of interest
that we reached was Msnitou, a
beautiful mountain town lying In
full view OF Pixies Peak and nestled
as II were In the embrace of the foot
hills of the Rocky Mountains. The
party were taken In vehicles In
drives 10 the Garden Of the Gods
Grand and beautiful scenery chsrac-
lerlzes this lovely place. II was
4 qualification TO us all TO see what
will surely inspire the beholder with
feeling OF the sublime. In less
than day VIC were again flying
over the sterile planes of Colorado
towards Salt Lake City. The excur-
sion stopped over on Sunday 10 the
city OF the Saints. 1t is. conceded
fact that few places In the world have |
the natural advantages OF this far
away city, Snow capped mountains
surround 1t on all sides and fertile |
plains stretch away In the distance
The streets are very wide aud the |
laying or of the city in all Of its
appointments is on the largest sale. |
Very many elegant residences and
beautiful grounds are TO be found |
all over the place. AT two O'Clock In |
the afternoon the Mormon tabernacle |
was visited. ] have. never seen as
commodlous q church. A vast null |
titude OF people, strangers, visitors
and residents filled the immense
structure. The musc from the |
grand organ aud choir was some
Thing not to be forgotten. Tho
preaching was far more orthodox
than was led TO expect; excepting
the allusion to Jos. Smith as an in-
spired man, the discourse was Wig |
orous and strong appeal. Il
Crossing the Rocky Mountains and
going through the canons cannot be |
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. The beholdcr |
is filed with the emotions OF the |
grand and sublime that IL Is impossi- |
6lc TO paint in language or portray |
upon canvas. After getting well
across the range of mountains ourI
tract passed through the arid and
sandy pIaius of the american Desert. |
Nothing of vegetation is 10 be seen.
but the prairie sage, as far as tho eye
can reach. A stop of one night al
mountain town, Reno, was made by |
two of the party. The mountain
front abounds In the lakes adjacent. |
AZ A dish IL cannot be surpassed in
excellence. The run over the Sierra
Neyadas was made in daylight, aud
we had good opportunity TO see the
wild aud pictare.que scenery of
this region. Pine covered mountains,
dcnn gorees and valleys with foam
ing rills were always In view. The
great trains and ENGINES are In com
narison but the yeriest TOYS wend-
Ing around the, fearful nights
and @ chasms On descending into
California change OF climate and
scanarv is ernerieueed.
The balmy air flawering plants
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