St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-08-31
Hamilton county, or into Kentucky for
3 cents. do not remember the limit as
to distance, but I do know that it is pos
sible to go at least twenty miles for one

| ldTe.
The roads are operated by electricity,
the system being the double trolley. 1t
is said to prevent damage to buildings,
gas or watermans by electrolysis. Ow.
ing to the fact that all the current is in
the air there can be no leakage to cause
damage anywhere.
There are 225 miles of track, equipped
with 1,4O0 cars carrying more than
6O,O00.000 passengers annually. The
capital is $18O0O,OOO of which there is
issued sic, 5000 900 in stock, the market
value OF which is $114 per share.
The great commercial highway is the
Ohio river, now, as it always has been
and probably always will be. 1t serves
as the great factor in keeping in bounds
all freight rates. The various lines
centering in Cincinnati are the "Big
Four" Pennsylvania, Baltimore & Ohio,
Illinois Central, Louisville & Nashville,
Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton, Chesa-
peake & Ohio, Cincinnati Northern and
the Queen & Crescent"
Cincinnati is geographically the gate
way to the southern country and at one
time the city was in danger OF losing the
trade of that region because there was
no direct route penetrating the heart of
the territory.
The city built, now owns and man.
ages the Queen & Crescent" road. 1t
cost $4,000, 600 and has proved great
investment. 1t was very shrewd and
brilliant move to control and divert
trade.
The streets running north and south
terminate at the river in levees, at
which are loading and unloading count
less steamers which have come from or
are bound to almost every western and
southern river port. Pen pictures might
be made Of the sights alongside, which
would have the merit of being exception
ally novel to eastern people. Almost all
the laborers about the steamers are
colored. The darkies are unusually good
natured and do their work with song
and jest as an accompaniment.
The depth of the river at various ports,
together with the river news and gossip,
are given great prominence in the daily
papers.
Several streets back from the river one
can see marks high up on the buildings
recording the height to which the river
has reached in floods. Often whole
streets are under water and sometimes
merchandise is moved several times in a
season from the lower floors. In such
an event the police patrol their beats in
boats.
The river water can be used for drink
ing. 1t is healthful enough except that
it is full of sand and must be filtered
but, judging from the number of brewer
. les and the amount of foreign beer SOLE
in Cincinnati. few people take an,
chances-with water.
Six great suspension bridges span thu
Ohio. One, whichis said to be the second
largest in the world, was being doubled
, in capacity while was there. Traffi,
was not in the least disturbed and it wa
considered a marvellous feat.
Overhead Cincinnati is the dirtiest city
on earth, This is due to the burning o
, soft coal and the humid atmosphere
& When there is no wind it rains SCOT. I'm
. maculate linen and clean cuticle are i'm
possibilities.
There are very few fine commercial
: buildings compared with New York o
r Chicago. There are one or two whicl
t would pass. However the Chamber O
/. Commons is notable exception.
did not see any fine retail palaces o
r store windows artistically trimmed
= What displays were attempted were no
, out of the ordinary. With the exception
1 of the jewelry stores the retailers ar
e way behind the procession. / think i
Y is due to the fact that the department
r store has not so strong hold there
e hence the small dealer is more in evidence
. There have been so many scandals il
n connection with the erection Of city build
ings, that it is refreshing to find on
), which was actually built for use, and {
:. thing of beauty it is-without the frs
J. dollar being misplaced. The City Hall
8 entirely worthy, and / look upon it
: one of the most magnificent public build
ings to be found. 1t occupies an entir
o square and every officeis light from base
d rnent to roof. The windows Of the may
2 or's office are filled with flowers Will
d vines trail over and around the rooms
:, making it very different from the ord
n nary official quarters.
IS The Music Hall is a model also. 1t
y without doubt the largest and finest i
the land. There is magnificent organ
It capacious stage and elaborate scener
It for the most ambitious operas. Grea
f." triumphs have been witnessed here an
It new stars first tighten the musical hea'
y ems from this platform more frequentl
n than observation-disclosures Cincinnati is Ell