The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1897-03-18
THE EDITORS MEXICAN TRIP.

DcbDO I1lOuOIl L w dts OOWh
through several of the large southern
states of this great country, notably
the states of Missouri, Arkansas and
Texas, returning to Oakland on Mon
day of last week, but taking the train
the same day for Washington, where
l spent the remainder of the week
with my family.
1t is my intention to write quite
number of articles for the columns of
THE REPUBLICAN ON what | have
seen and what is to be seen on trip
of this kind, along the line of railway
from ST. Louis to Eagle Pass, Texas,
which lies on the banks of the Rio
Grande river.
Gen. U. S. Grants cabin home near
st. Louis, is to be seen from car win
dows of trains on the st. Louis and
San Francisco railroad. This was a
reminder of a most interesting period
of history. OF course there was
source of lively conversation as we
sped along as smoothly as though we
were on one of the eastern limited
express trains. In fact, there seems
to be no letup in topics for our delec-
tation along the Frisco ro1Tel on
course, we had a pleasure in seeing
and could have made a half days
diversion in exploring the grand I'm
ion Station at st. Louis, with its
twenty-nine tracks and $50 passenger
trains in and out each day. This
depot was a starter for engaging our
constant attention. 1t seems it was
but one of a rapid succession of enter
tanning features in store for us along
this route. We had hardly left the
greatest railway she'd in the world
before the story of Gen. Grants cabin
life near st. Louis was brought to
our attention The cabin is a one
story affair and its primitive condi-
lions are preserved by an association.
From this log and plank built home
vi lllV fllbCi OIL SlOSlb y lSebNA
er he hauled tirewood to the city.
While still rejecting over men and
their tide of fortune, that other char
acter, developed in time of peace,
Hon. R. p Bland, of Lebanon, on
our route, was mentioned by some
one of our party, who recollected his
home town. Lebanon has fame as a
high and healthy resort. The heal
ing waters, the elevation, the scenery,
the huntsman's paradise, and the
hotel built after modern plans, have
made many i'll and tired people bless
Lebanon. 1t is said of Bland that he
is a successful farmer 1t is a fact
that his lands, which partake of the
fertility so well known as relating to
this section, are well kept.
Passing through Lebanon our train
sped on southwark through Spring
field, Mo, the home and the sceBs of
many of Jesse James raids. At this
point an inquiry put to denizen of
the place brought forth the informa-
ton that many of the James boys
raids were myths and were only writ
ten for the sensational press. Be that
as it may, they were terrOrs to many
parts of Missouri and the adjoining
states.
LeavingSpringfield, our train passed
in quick succession many towns and
at noon on Sunday, Feb. 18th, we took
dinner at Fort Smith, Ark. Because
of many historic incidents connected
with the early settlement of that sec
ton of the country a stop of three
hours was made, which time was am
ply spent visiting the various points
of interest in the city. 1t is a place of
about 10000 inhabitants, and is situa-
ted about four miles south of the Ar
kansas river. The leading places of
interest here are the United States or
Federal building and the old fort.
The Federal building is massive pile
of stone, erected near the old fort on
a square surrounded on all sides by
beautiful lawns and shrubbery. Here
the United States court holds its ses-
sions for this district. Within the
walls of this building more criminals
have been convicted and the death
sentence pronounced upon more muir
derers than in any other court within
the borders of this country. Recently
one of the judges died and it is said he
pronounced the death sentence upon
one hundred and forty criminals.
There is at present former hangman
living in Fort Smith who has officiated
at eighty-five neck-tie parties. On
one occasion he let six murderers
through the trap.
The old fort is at the east end of the
town but at present there are no sol
diers stationed there they being at
the new fort on the north. Inside the
walls of this old fort the house still
standing, built of stone from the sec
ond story window of which the people
from the south in our party looked
with longing and loving eyes. Here
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