Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-12-19
ALDERMAN cowAN WRITES.
Pleasant Experience of An Eastern
Trip-Quaint Sights and Scenes.

Vu0Aue pig ute anu oCcucb'
GREENCAsTLE Pa, Dec. 81 left
Abilene, the best city Of the best state
In the union, on the Rock Island, Oct.
LIST, and came to Chicago, where I
met Mrs. Cowan and son Herbert
who had been spending some time
there with friends and relatives. |
spent seven days in the city Of the
lakes.
Oct. S'h We loft for Pennsylvania
over the Grand Trunk, through
Michigan via Port Huron, through
Canada via Niagara Falls. We spent
one day at the Falls. From there
we went to Buffalo but did not stop
on account Of Mrs. Cowan's health
not being good.
From Buffalo We took the New
York Central for Harrisburg, Pa. /,
but stopped only long enough to
change cars in that city. At Harris.
burg, Pa, we took the C. V. X. X. to
Chambersburg, Pa, and remained
there three days to visit at the home
Of an old friend and neighbor, former.
ly OF Abilene, but now a merchant in
Chambersburg. This town was
burned by the rebels led by MCCaus.
land In 1864, but is now beautiful
city in the Cumberland Valley.
From Chambersburg we came to
Fannettsburg through Path Valley,
passing the old place where | spent
my boyhood days.
The roads were fine, II roughness
adds 10 tineness. The weather was
warm. | felt like strapping myself
down to the wagon when we passed
over some OF the huge boulders in
the road that think were there when
| was a boy and worked on the farm.
Many times when we we're boys did
our bare feet show the marks OF hav-
ing come in contact with these same
stones, now worn almost as smooth
as glass from being Travelled over SO
much.
We remained at r. d. Cowan's,
my brothers, and rested ourselves,
seeing the sights such as the large
manufactures, very numerous around
Fannettsburg and vicinity. After
resting, Herbert and myself took the
stage and came to the old farm where
| spent my. boyhood days, and what a
change in the looks of a place! Once
place of neatness and Theft, now
one Of dilapldation. Barn doors off,
fences down, all things tattered and
torn, After looking through the
house and barn and other pla es
sacred to me, | took a cool drink
from the old spring from which had
many times slsked my thirst and
cooled my tongue. We then started
to cross the Connococheague creek
that flows about the hundred yards
from the old home. Finding no foot
log as Of yore Lad to pull off my
shoes, take Herbert upon my back
and wade the creek as | had often
done.
How natural it seemed to tread the
same pebbles | had walked upon
nearly 40 years ago! On the east
side Of the Connococheague we stayed
all night with Allen Haiston, an old
friend Of mine in my youth and whose
parents settled here from Ireland
about the year 1870. After eating 0
good supper and sucking through q
straw from barrel some Of theiI
sharp cider, we, with Mr.. Haiston
visited another Of my old neighbor'
OF boyhood time, Mr.. James and Mr.
Jones. Mr.. Haiston tsking his violin
with him, pleasant evening wal
spent.
We had d good rest, got up before
the whippoorwill, took our breakfast
and started to visit an old timer who
had harvested for US for years. He
lives on top Of the Kittatinny noun
tains, about four miles east Of Rich.
mond Furnace. John Mealman by
name, bis parents settled there at an
early date. We found him distilling
peppermint. After spending few
hours eating apples and gathering
chestnuts with him it was time foI
dinner. After leating good old
fashioned dinner we came down the
mountain to Richmond and there re.
NAMED all night with old friends.
In the morning we took the old
railroad, now abandoned, via Of the