Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1891-03-21
A First Visit to the Nations
Capital.
BY JOHN cocKISGs.


interest usually manifested in coun-
try places A. to the whereabouts and
whatabouts of old-time neighbors
and friends, and az many of your
read r. with regard to myself are
in the relation named, | have ven
tured to tax the columns Of the
TRIBUNE once more III conveying to
those old associates and valued
friends (among and with whom !
lived and toiled SO many years. a
short account Of a trip to the Ma
tion's Capital, place often dreamed
Of, but which never expected to
see; but kind fate has enabled me
10 realize the oft wished for but
protracted journey.
Accompanied by Mrs G. | left
Liverpool, N y, Tuesday evening,
Feb gath, and at Syracuse got on to
the West Shore Il. K. on an excur.
sion Of ten days to Washington aud
return $40 each for the round trip.
Left Syracuse at 200 a. m. via Utica,
Schenectady, along the southern
bank Of the Mohawk river to
Coem8n s Junction, where instead
of going cas-. TO Albany we 90
southeast Until we strike the Hudson
river, down the west bank Of which
lovely stream We reach Catskill by
daylight From here we have re-
peated glimpees Of the rugged Cats
kill mountains which awoke remem-
brances Of "Sleepy Hollow and
Grip Van Wiukle;" passed Cornwall
on the Hudson, Newburg, West
Point where We couldn't see level
ground enough for a corporal guard
10 drill on; thence on, uuterueath
the overhanglhg preclplces Of the
Durderburg, through tunnels dark
and dismal, emerging suddenly into
broad daylight the rushing train
brought Us to Wthawkeu; from
thence to Jersey City where after a
delay Of an hour for dinner, We take
the Pennsylvania railroad aud pass
on through New jersey via Trenton,
Mwlo Park where are thelabratories
of the famous Edison, the CITY Of
Brothehy Loves" where we had "a
chance Of merely seeing IL was a
big place; without leaving the car
we proceeded to Wilmington, Del,
Baltimore, Md, aud arrived at
Washington at 1880 p. m.
Thursday morning We visited the
capitol but must not attempt de
scription OF this magnificent pile,
the largest public building in the
world, which, to be appreciated
must be seen; 75l feet by 1924, and
covering 3 j! acres, the dome tower
ing 2ss feet above the ground line
Well, Knowing there was someone
from Wisconsin somewhere in the
building, my leading inclination
was TO find him, and with this intent
| wandered upstairs, down stairs
and into not my lady's chember--
but into gorgeous halls and corrl-
dors and places, the names of which
would not be found in the yellow
stone dictionary so my friends in
that district will pardon me Tor
emitting them. In the labyrinth
finally struck long passage, and in
the distance discerned resemblance
TO delivery window in a third
class postoiice. Approaching near
er saw the thing was shaded, and
my heart fluttered fearing the office
was closed and my long search
would end in disappointment; then
remembering the recent deaths of
the brave Sherman and Window,
the aforesaid shadow must be at
trlbuted 10 the Grape SO appropriate
y uuug in every public phce--pon-
derng thus, as We neared the object
the shadow began TO put on shape,
which before "shape had none,' aud
l suddenly remarked TO my com
panion: "THdt is George Cor's hat.
l have seen It's broad rim tlutter in
the breeze a hundred times, when
seated behind odd SAM crossing
the prairie"
There must be some connection
between mind and mind, for the
remarks above were scarcely uttered
when the window and a door below
II flew open aud with a lusty "llelIo"
the hat covering the Hon Geo. G
Cox "body and breeches' emerged
with impetus, and the shadow had
vanished. He had evidently been
rejecting on the dear ones so far
away, snd wishing someone would
come along that he could recognize
and talk to about things outside the
duties of office, aud SO was watching
through the window fer the imagin-
AIRY visitor, when the real one was
approaching. He had no idea thar
Was within 500 miles of him. /
had seen but one person from my
old home in Is months, SO the meet
ing of an old tuena and ueighbor
of 40 years acquaintance for time
IL q