The record-union., 1895-09-18
UPSON'S TRIP THROUGH THE EAST.
What a Sacramentan Saw Down at
Coney Island.
Hunting Prairie Chickens Out on
Nebraska PrRiries-Talking
Up California.

PLANTsVILLE Conn.,. Sept. 2, 1898.
EDS. RECORD UNION: When you last
heard from me was about to go prairie
chicken hunting in Nebraska. Well. L
went, and succeeded in finding few
very desirable birds, and enjoyed them
with my lunch en- route East. left Shell
ton, Neb., on Wednesday morning,
August Dist, and found after boarding
the train that I was on the train that had
been held up at Gatenburg. and, strange
Ss it may seem, noticed window broken
before entering the train, and remarked
to the friend that was with me, as we gos
aboard, that ''this looks like train rob-
bers," not knowing at that time that such
was the case.
All was excitement on the train, and
the whole theme of discussion was the
recent robbery, and the general remark
was: WASN'T that fireman plucky!
Didn't he show sand to run off with
that engine when he must have known
he would be shot at, and perhaps kllled!,
But he showed remarkable GOODNESS and
bravery through it all, and those that
knew him said they little supposed he was
brave enough to do such thing. L could
not help DuJ think in this connection
about the saying, "You can't tell by the
size of frog how far he can jump" At
every station crowds were at the statlons
TO see the car tnat the robbers had blown
up, and inside the car Ii was very de-
structlve sight. / saw ladies' apparel
scattered promiscuously around the floor,
and baggage and express matter IN every
direction, and l don't think there was
whole window in the car. The Pullman
car conductor told me he thought at the
time of the explosion the whole train rose
right off the track, showing what small
stick of dynamite will accomplish.
In passing through Nebraska L noticed
the crops as general thing were quite
good, while in some places they showed
the effects Of the dry, hot winds so ire
Quept in Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa.
So with the uncertainties OF these States
and the certainty of good crop IN our
grand State, l shall not be at all surprised
TO see a large emigration seeking the
shores of the Golden West in the near
future. Could l have had sufficient ad-
vertising matter, feel quite positive the
results OF my trip East would nave Deen
more noticeable than it now will be. L
hone ere this some have awakened 10 a
realization of what might be accom-
plished. and have already written me
what they are willing to do III bringing
to the attention Of the many people L am
meeting daily the desira bIlity of locating
in California, particularly In Sacramento
and vicinity, which is the most desirable
for a pleasant, healthful home, and the
best market 10 be found on the Pacific
Coast.
l stopped day or so in Chicago, then
boarded the Nickel late train Tor New
York. 1 did not spend much time IN
Chicago, as it is my intention to see more
of that city on my return trip. visited
the fruit auction-hou of Porter Brothers,
s-l,, Ioof 3
tention, having it all explained to me,
and L could see nothing there that would
be detrimental to California fruit-grow-
ers in the way their 1ruit was handled.
The auction-room was nicely arranged,
and had room enough to show everything
to be sold to a good advantage. But
shall give this matter more careful atten-
tion on my return trip.
| was greatly surprised at how much
was known of Los Angeles and the
southern part of the State, and how little
OF the northern portion, and Sacramento
and vicinity in particular. l can see no
good reason for it, for we have printing
presses, and l find printers ink can
often be used to such good advantage.
/ passed through some very fine coun-
try between Chicago and New York, and
some that was very monotonous. l
finally landed in New York Saturday
evening, August 24th after a beautiful
ride down the banks OF the Hudson
River. My advice is not to miss a ride
either on the east or west side of the
Hudson River if you are taking a trip to
New York.
After seeing some Of the sights In New
York and brooklyn, l and cousin took
ferry and then an electric car for Coney
Island, and now l hope to interest you.
About the first thing one notices OF his
arrival at Coney Island is persons wear
ing round tag suspended from their
button-hole, and upon close inspection
you read these words: The Paul Boynton
Company, New York, Chicago, London
and Paris" In the center: ~ Have
Shot the Chutes at Coney Island" 1t
means that Paul Boynton, the world
famous swimmer, has erected and is run
ming a chute at Coney Island-a wooden
framework built up about 100 feet high
in such a way that il has a steep incline
to pond OF water at the foot.
On one side of the chute there is
tramway to carry up passengers. In the
center there is an endless chain to hoist
the boats used in shooting" the chute,
and on the far side is the chute itself The
boats are brought up on this endless
chain, placed in position on the top OF the
chute, loaded with passengers, and sent
down into the water at the rate of about a
hundred miles per minute. Talk about
fun! the toboggan slide is away behind