The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1895-04-05

ont of the earth and proceed on its way.
The train west of Chicago seemed to have
considerable trouble to get water, stopping
every little while to take It on. West of
sene, east of Chicago with gas. The bill
of fare did not quite equal that OF the
eastern side. Wednesday morning we pass
ed one village, the village of Papanta,
where saw cowboy and an Indian on
the platform of the station. Beyond La
Sight and Pixies Peak was seen to the
right. The Rocky Mountains looked as
though there was snow on them-a magnl-
ficent sight AS we travelled along we saw
sand hills on each side of the track, and
scrub pine, or Pink0n, as they said it was
called, growing upon them.
Ration mountains, spur OF the Rockies,
was crossed near Trinidad and we entered
New Mexico at an elevation of 1922 feet
above the sea. Just back of Trinidad we
saw Fishers Peak which rises to the height
of 9b33 leet. The descent on the New Mex
leo side was by heavy grade, and the great
New Mexican plateau was reached at an
elevation of about $500 feet. Through the
mountains the railroad is said to follow the
old santa Fe trail-the trail of the forty
piners Early IN the evening we reached
Las Vegas. where one of the Raymond par
ty bid us adIeu.
Crossing ano her mountain spur, at the
Is,
which place was reached in the middle of
the night. Here the train left the main
track and ran up eighteen miles to visit
Santa Fp, the capital of New Mexico. On
reaching Santa Fe we rested until morn
ing. When we arose we found It raining
and our prospect of doing Santa re seemed
rather damp. But after breakfas Mr.. Hall
secured close carriage. from among the
number that were in waiting, and the Yer
mont party went up to view the town.
The driver agreed to take us for twenty
five cents apiece, but we found there was
more to it when we got back from our ride,
as we imaglned perhaps mere w you. De-
pie were at mass, and were knerling IN all
parts of the church, and hymn was being
cbanted. We then drove round by the
old church of San Miguel built many years
ago, of adobe, past the San Miguel college,
and, on, to the tligree jewelry shop, where
then past the Plaza, (the old government
palace-a long, low structure of adObe) past
the present Governors residence, a modern
looking structure, round by the palace
hotel and up the hill on which the ruins of
old Fort Marcy stand. Here we alighted,
that we might obtain a better view of the
country. All around at the
distance were hills covered with low pine
bush. At our feet were several different
kinds of weeds or bushes such as | had
never seen before There was also one
kind of cacti, of which plucked blossom.
After descending the hill we were driven
70 the odd Curiosity Shop" wh"re many
Mexican and Indian CurioSitieS "ere on
sale, after which we rode out towards the
Many of the prisoners were
working outside on the roadway, but with
each gang was an armed guard, and 1 no
iced there were armed guards in the tow
ers of the building, also guards pacing
about in the yard. Beyond tile penlten-
school, and we stopped here and were TAX
IN through the buildings. We were then
lriven to the train. On paying the diver,
le wanted IS 90. Mr. IL. told him he said
le would take us for twenty-five cents a
piece, and asked him what he meant by
hat statement. The man said that meant
Just up to the city. He was at length in
iuced to lower his price to IS 90.
In the city we saw many burroS, laden
with wood; also, at the depot, were several
DurrOs with their MeXicaaownerS.~.B urrO"
found was the Mexican name for donkey.
The conductor asked the Mexicans how
much they would take for their animals
and they answered ten dollars apiece. He
told them he would no. give that for he could
buy them cheaper. When the train was
most ready to move the Mexicans started
off towards the mountains, from six to ten
miles away; and the conductor ted US they
would there load their burros with grease
wood, and PROBABLY sell it in the city Tor
fifteen cents load.
Continuing on our journey, at Wallace
the Rio Grande river was reached; Ine
river bank was followed for distance
Of fifty miles to Isleta Junction and was
there crossed by bridge A few miles
farther on we came to Albuquerque, where
we stopped an hour or two, long enough to
enable us to walk up into the city and look
"a ~.
The muSty appearance of Santa Fe,but gave
1ne the impression that some real i've peo-
pie lived there.
The railroad, for much of the way, lay
along the elevated tableland of Arizona.
A number of Indian pueblos, or villages,
we're passed through. The houses were
mostly built of abode, ami in front of near
y every house was an abode oven. When |
we stopped at the stations the Indians
would come running to the train, some of
hem with beads, minerals and baskets for
'ale. One woman had a baby in her arms, |
covered from sight by shawl or blanket |
some one Offered her nickle to see the |
,aby's face. and she uncovered it. but re-
placed the cloth almost Immediately as she |
lid not care to have too many people gaze |
lpOn it without paying.
We were much grieved, early Friday |
morning, to learn of the death OF Mrs, Pack |
lrd, who was stricken with apUplexy dur
INr nlSlG anu lIfou DuJ d SHOTL time. AS |
00n as the managers of the excursion |
ound she was ill the train was stopped and |
physician sent for, who arrived a few
minutes before she died. The body was
AIKEN off at Gallup, little station up
Imong the mountains, where the husband
md daHg ter accom- panied by one of the
& WhitcOm b managers, after
making due preparation, would take the
Express train back to New England.
Between Manuelito and AllantOwn the
arizona line was crossed. and at Carrie
nd HolbrOok we were near the petrifed
Orests of Arizona. Farther on the Canon
)iablo, great yawning chasm, was cross
d over bridge 541 feet long and 222 2
eet wide. Before we reached Flagstaff
he magnificent Francisco mountains
With their tops capped with snow. broke
pom our view. AT Flagstaff we saw MANY
ed stone quarrieS. Along here were quite
good many pine trees. The elevation of
flagstaff is $685. feet. The Arizona divide,
dozen miles beyond, is between 200 and
DO feet higher. We passed many noun
aims which looked as though they might
ave been volcanoes, also some which look
as though they might have been cave
wellingS. For long distance we did not
ee much but sand. We crossed the Colo s
ado river at the Needles, and were then in |
ne state of California. Proceeding west
ard, we crossed the great Mojave desert.
he Yucca palm has full sway there, as
a. a II -