Waterbury Democrat., 1901-07-24
ELKs ENJOYING THEIR TRIP.
Member of New Haven Lodge Robbed
 On the Train.
EIkhart. Ind

Dear Editor: It is just half-past on this Monday morning and we have made our first stop since leaving Buffa- To last night at half-past s. 1 thought it best to write now. before the boys awake, for then there would not be much chance to write, much less do anything except to join in the antics of the jolly crowd of Elks that are aboard the train. So far everything has passed off smoothly and all the ar rangements scheduled have been car was concerned.
 We left New Haven on schedule time Saturday night, jolly crowd of about 150, and the train of eight cars pulled toward Hartford amid the cheers of hundreds who had assembled at Belle Dock to see the boys oH- Hartford was reached on time, and so was Springfield. We then made for Buffalo at a speed that sometimes would raise your hair. As our travel ing is done mostly in the night or early morning. we, of course. could not tell how fast we were going, but as our trair is q special it is more than likely we have been going pretty fast. There was not much sleep on board of our train during that first night. Those who wanted to sleep and who were not disturbed by the tricks of the other fellows. had a rough night at sea. The train was bounding along at such q fast pace that it was almost impoSSl- ble to get more than forty winks.
 There was plenty of sport for those on board. and it was only marred by one unpleasant feature. On the way to Buffalo Saturday night one of the Elks from New Haven lodge, by name Mendoza, was robbed of $45, gold watch and chain and a costly pen- knife. which were taken while the owner was absent in another part of the train The valuables were in bis bunk The New Haven boys made up the money loss, but Mendoza is minus his watch and chain. The DOT ters claimed that some party boarded tine train at Utica and did the act, but the pOrters are not believed. Since that time q close watch has been kept on the cars and it will go hard with any person who is caught i'll sus- piciOuS act.
 We arrived at Buffalo. the 'expos;- tior city" at 9 o'clock Sunday morn, ing. and this hustling place with its miles of asphalt streets. probably more miles than any city in the United States. presented q very inviting ap- pearance Here is where we were given our first experience as to the. meals there would be furnished. Every mar: was given to understand that he must. hunt for himself. and he did. After breakfast the whole crowd, headed by the Second Regiment band, took the trolley cars to America's mar velous falls. Niagara. If you have never seen the Falls, then you have missed one of the most wonderful and awe inspiring scenes. All day Sunday was spent in viewing the scenes 1n and around Niagara. both on this side and across the bridge, where so many from the American side have found refuge when the limbs of the law desired to make their acquaintance. From your first trip down the inclined railway until you cross the bridge to the Amer ican side you are treated to views of natures wonderful works. "Maid of the Mist" takes you directly beneath the falls, and attired as everybody on board is with rubber cloakS and rubber hoods it looks like q phatltgm Nessel manned by a crew of goblins. On the Canada side you find the same inclined railways A carriage ride takes you to the whirlpool rapids. On the way we were shown the spot where Gra- ham plunged in with his barrel the other day He landed seven miles be- low in Lewiston, Me, and as you look at the whirlpool you wonder how he ever passed through them safely. An other inclined railway takes you down to the whirlpool. Another astonishing sight. These inclined railways are also wonderful and astonishing. but not made by natures. handiwork. So steep are they that should the cables break on the descent the speed would be so fast that 1t would seem when the bottom was reached the car would plunge through the earth and come out at the other side of the globe
 There is one peculiarity about the trip to the whirlpool rapids ItScosts you nothing to enter. but they do give it to you when you come out. You have got to settle, because you can't very we'll swim the rapids, and that is the only way out, If you don't want to pay at the door. The; place where Blondin crossed the rapids on a wire is also a point of interest. Take that whole Niagara trip and it was one of | the most pleasant and enjoyable that We will probably experience.
 We quit Buffalo last night at S:3O and sped away toward the western country. All night long the train rushed at a fearful rate of speed, which rocked it like boat. The boys slept we'll, however, as they were tired out from the days journey through Niagara. They were only awakened when the train stopped at Elkhart, Ind. It is probable that many of the boys would not have been awakened even then had the train not stopped alongside live stock car, from which the grunts became so loud that even the heaviest sleeper was disturbed
 The presence of this pig train told us that we were approaching the country which is practically controlled by the packing companies of the west
 Our way from here lay over a smooth country of growing wheat and corn. We are making very fast time and are now but 57 miles this side of Chicago. It is now 6:30, and as we are due in Chicago at s o'clock will close this letter so that can post it in Chi cago. ELL. M.
 Heron Nests in Elaine woods.