Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1890-11-22
FoRTY.opp YEARS AGO.
Description OF stage Ride From Chicago
to Kalamazoo.

Description OF n Stage tide From Chicago
to Kalamazoo.
Having been In the Prairie City rs
long us cared TO stay, / prepared to
leave by way OF the east through o
portion Of Indiana and Michigan. When
the season was favorable the principal
route OF travel was by the lake, but as
1t was fast advancing toward winter
there was great uncertainty about the
lake, so we had to content ourselves
with the meager accommodations OF q
two-horse stage around the head OF the
lake to Michigan City, a distance OF
sixty miles, the most dreary in all my
experience of travel; and this was the
best the city could furnish only forty
two years ago.
In all the remarkable instances OF the
long ago, what have now to say will
seem the most remarkable. Sixty miles
OF dreary coast and only one house
in the distance, 1.-THE Halfway House, -"
as the sign said. We left Chicago at
eleven p m, with cutting lake breeze
on one side, and nothing on the oppo-
site side to break its force but scattering
scrub oaks all the way. We arrived at
the remarkable hostelry at about five
o'clock the next morning, tired and
weary, on account Of the extreme
roughness Of the road. Ihavo travelled
all night over many rough Western
roads, sometimes taking turns at carry
ing q lantern ahead of the stage to
enable the driver to SEQ his way, but
never so dreary On getting out OF the
stage. relief so desired, ! entered the
house, which seemed by way OF the
kitchen, and the first thing that con-
fronted me was huge deer on
the floor with a magnificent pair Of
antlers growing on his head Venison
steak at once doomed up, and equally
quick made change in my mind as to
what should do next Passing on to
the next room, which was properly
speaking, the bar-room, found num-
Der Of Indians. 1t was then plain
enough how the deer happened to be
there. The Indians belonged to the
Winnebago tribe, and were out on q
hunting and fishing excursion. They
could speak English very fairly, max
ing me feel more ut home in their COM
pany. Approaching the stage driver
asked If it would make any difference
to him If it didn't go on until the next
day. "Not at ALL" was his ready and
laconic reply.
My days outing with the redskins
was about as romantic as could desire.
The result of the chase was two very
fine deer, each carried by two of the
Indians. What could not be made use
OF at the Halfway house was sent on to
Chicago
Beginning TO get somewhat surfeited
with the incongruities Of Western life,
the following morning I babe adieu to
my romantic companions OF the day be-
fore, with yet sweep Of thirty miles
ahead before reaching Michigan City,
and still on about eighty miles more
staging before reaching Kalamazoo,
from which point l treated myself to a
ride on the Central railroad to Detroit
/ remember very distinctly that the
original and so very dangerous strap
rail at times was being taken up, and
the T rail- which had but recently made
its appearance was being laid down.
Reaching Detroit / saved myself few
days rest before continuing eastward
James Sager, in Naples IN. Y. Record.