St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1902-10-01
EASTWARD FROM CALIFORNIA.
A Trip over the Burlington ROUte-A
Novel HOId.uP ia ChicagO-A Visit TO
soutb Haven, Mich.

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At the request of many friends Twill
attempt a description of the tri p from
California to Chicago via the Burlington
route. This return trip was pleasant
sequel to a most delightful winter spent
in Stockton, Cal. Only wish we were
nossessed with the rare gift of word
nicturing that we might show our read
ers some of the delightful scenery through
which this route took us. The division
called the Colorado Midland took us
through the Rocky Mountain region.
The canons were simply grand, among
them being the Blue, Florrisant, Red
Rock and Granite canons. The last
named was one of the most picturesque.
The granite walls and boulders were
scanned and scared from some prehistoric
upheaval. Some Of these canons are
many miles in length, and in some cases
the walls rise to height of more than
$500 feet. Hell Gate" has cliffs two
thousand feet sheer descent. The train
GOES around IA miles to ascend one
half mile. After having climbed to a very
high altitude here we enter Busk tunnel
which is two miles long. Three locomo
tives were required to pull our train and
we were led to marvel not only at the
power of God in the creation of these
wonderful mountains, but also at the
skill of man in making possible trip
over them so safe and enjoyable. In
places it seemed asst our train was simply
clinging to cliffs and suspended midway
between heaven and earth, but as dan
gerous as this would seem we knew the
trip had been made in safety many times
by thousands, so gave ourselves up to
the enjoyment OF all the thrilling expert
ences Of such trip.
Before reaching Arkansas Junction we
passed a beautiful park like valley with
a mountain stream winding through it
and the snow-capped mountains on either
side. Pixies Peak is in tull view at sew
eral points. When our train reached
Rifle, Colorado, we were told that this
was the station where President Roose-
welt left the train when he went on his
hunt for the mountain lion. About 90
miles north of Rife is great hunting re-
sort, as the mountains are prolific with
lion, bear, elk and deer. Fifty miles west
of Denver near Georgetown is the Loop"
where the line of the railway crosses it.
self several times and crosses very high
bridge. These winnings are necessary
that the more elevated towns at the head
of the canon may be reached. These are
a few Of the many interesting points to
be seen on this route.
Our train was personally conducted by
Charles Lass of Galesburg, ILL.,, and we
found him kind and obliging official,
pointing out places OF especial interest
and in every way adding to the comfort
and pleasure of the passengers. Should
our advice be taken, anyone anticipating
a trip to California would purchase
tickets over the Burlington route and
thus insure themselves of the grandest
mountain scenery in the United States
and the satisfaction of good railroad ser
vice.
During our long stay in Chicago we
very much enjoyed visiting the Art In
sttute and studying the works of all the
old masters. The pictures from the brush
of Jules Breton seemed to impress us
most of all. 1t is well worth ones time
to spend days in this Institute. There
are many beautiful buildings and parks
in this city as all know who have visited
it, but it is wicked city, strikes and
hold-ups being frequent,
Speaking OF hold-ups reminds us OF
holdup which occurred during our visit.
TWAS made by a swarm of bees on Madi-
son street at 10th avenue. This swarm
of bees held up street cars, drove away the
policemen and stung people right and
left. One OF the men on a delayed car
said: 1T would have taken political
forecaster to estimate the number OF
those bees, "and that 'it looked as if they
were on strike, because continued ram
had interfered with the honey industry
We took a trip across Lake Michigan
to visit a cousin, Ransom 7. Pierce. Mr..
Pierce is a son of Charles K. Pierce, an
old-time resident of St. ,Johnsbury. He
has very successful business in South
Haven, Michigan. The factory, of which
he is partner and business manager, is
for making peach baskets and all kinds
of fruit packages. 1t is truly very inter
esting to visit this busy place. where
between two and three hundred men,
women and boys find employment. The
writer had the satisfaction of making a
peach basket, but at the rate of speed in
which that basket was made she would
have made about ten cents a day. 1t is
wonderful to see the rapidity OF those
basket makers. They hold the tacks in
their mouths and after placing the mate
rial how they make the hammers and
tacks fly Some of the experts make
from six to eight hundred climax baskets
per day, thus making very good wages.
The demand for stock will be great as
this seasons crop of peaches is expected
to equal if not exceed that of preceding
years. 1t is delightful to drive down
through the beautiful peach orchards
and see the trees hanging full OF fruit.