Kansas City daily journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1892-1897, 1896-09-07
CHINESE EARL INSPECTS THE WON
DERS OF NIAGARA.
RAIN DAMPENs HIS ARDoR.
HAS HIS FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH
AMERICAN ELECTRICITY.
He Asks Many Questions About Rail-
roadinE and Wants to Know
About Grant and Lincoln
Studies the United
States Map.

Niagara Falls. n. Y, Sept. 6.-The special
train bearing Ii Hung Chang and his party
arrived here at noon to-day. Rain was
falling at the time and the visitors damp
ened their silk blouses and gold lace some
what in the journey to the Cataract house.
where rooms had been engaged.
Immediately upon arriving here Ii sat
for a dentist and had his teeth examined.
The rain was great disappointment as
the viceroy was very desirous of visiting
the American falls in the afternoon. There
was no cessation in the downpour of rain
until after o'clock when the sun struggled
through the clouds.
Carriages were quickly summoned, and
the visitors spent two hours in inspecting
the wonders of Niagara. At the electric
Company the distinguished visitor had his
first experience with American electricity.
the result being as startling as II was un-
sire to make personal investigation OF the
machinery before him he poked at a switch
board with his walking stick. The metal
ferule closed circuit Instantly, and LIS
stick was violently. thrown from his grasp.
He was naturally much astonished at the
effect of the sticks contact with the
switchboard, but fortunately he suffered no
damage beyond a good scare. However, he
decided that he had seen enough, and went
to his rooms, where he remained until bed
time.
Last night Lii and his party passed their
first night in an American sleeping CIR.
Before this novelty they enjoyed dinner
especially prepared by rne Pennsylvania
railroad dining car people, was quite elab-
crate. The menu card was decorated with
the American and Chinese flags, inter
twined, and a fac simile of the autograph
of Earl Ii done in yellow.
After eating rather hearty supper. Ii
eral passenger agent of the Pennsylvania
company, who piloted the train over the
lines of his company. and spent about two
had map of the United States before
him and once he branched off to the war
Of the rebellion, asking the names of he
Ii asked particularly about the battles
in which Grant participated, and all of
them were indicated on the map for his
benefit: He dwelt long on this subject and
marvsled that although the Southern
forces succeeded in approaching quite close
to Washington they were never able to
of the assassination of Lincoln also inter-
ested him greatly. He inquired what be-
came Of Booth and where Lincoln is buried
DO not the American people regard Lin
coin as very good man."
The deep interest he shows in railroad
matters convinces those who paid attention
to the subject that his principal object in
visiting this country is to study American
construction and management vita view
to the adoption of some Of the features in
a proposed general extension of the Chi
nese railway system. In fact, the yiceroy
intimated to-day that he is negotiating
for the service of American civil en-
gtneer. who, If he accepts the offer made
him, will go to China in the near future
and take charge of the railway extension
scheme now being outlined. Lii says there
are only about 200 miles of single track
road in China at present.
Only three trains are run each day, and
there is no traffic at night, the system be-
ing SO crude and the liability to accident a
constant menace.
Ii slept during the night in a bed made
specially for him, with a soft downy mat
tress more than a foot thick. He declared
when he arose this morning that he rest
ed better than in a hotel bed. The prep
arstion of his toilette consumed an hour
and then he ate some bird s-nest soup and
drank cup of tea. At $50 he was ready
to receive visitors.