The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1904-07-05
TRANSPORTATION
In the Days when Travel was Done by
Wagon.

In the Days when Travel Was Done by
It seems curious to think, In these
lays of electric transportation and dis
tance demolishing systems. OF time
when travel through this part OF the
country was by wagon. But there was
time when the creaking, clumsy horse
drawn vehicle was the only means OF
moving and reference to 1t came up
the other evening at a reception where
every one is expected to contribute
something to the general entertain
ment.
An artist who is growing rapidly IN
fame had been made to do something
in charcoal, a dignified musician had
been yictimized into executing cake
walk and the hostess was casting
about for further amusement. AS 1t
happened there was present descend
ant of Morris Birkbeck, whose notes
on America so interested readers OF
another generation. Mr.. Blank was
asked to sing song, tell story or
give a dance. When he declined all
these alluring Invitations he was told
he was violating rule of the circle.
Then ne bethought him of his dead
and gone ancestor.
"If you'll let me off with telling you
something from his book" said he
"i'll do the best l can. Travelling to
New York to-day from Baltimore re-
called what Morris Birkbeck wrote so
many years ago. remember whole
passages from his recollections.. For
instance after having commented on
the fact that Americans were a migrat-
ing people this British ancestor OF
mine goes on 60 say
"'To give an idea of the internal
movements of this vast hive about
twelve thousand wagons passed be-
tween Baltimore and Philadelphia In
the last year with from four to sfI
horses carrying from thirty-five to
forty hundredweight. The cost of car
riage is about seven dollars per hun
dredweight from Philadelphia to Pitts
burg. Add to these the numerous
stages loaded to the utmost and the
innumerable travellers on horseback
on foot and in light wagons and you
have before you a scene of hustle and
business extending over a space OF
three hundred miles which Is truly
wonderful
"Then he was greatly struck by
American manners for he says: But
what is most at variance with English
notions of the American people Is tho
urbanity and civilization that prevail
in situations remote from large cities.
In our journey from Norfolk, on the
coast of Virginia, to Pittsburg, we
have not for a moment lost sight of
the manners ot polished life. Refine
ment is unquestionably far more rhro
than In our mature and highly culti-
waited state of society; but so Is ex-
treme vulgarity. In every department
OF common life we here see employed
persons superior in habits and educs.
tion to the same class in England
But Birkbeck didn't like the hosSis
] rem ember he wrote: Three times =
day the great bell rings, and a hun-
dred persons collect from all quarters
to eat a hurried meal composed of al
most as many dishes. Soon after din-
ner you assemble in rooms crowded
with beds, something like the wards OF
a hospital, where, after undressing in
public, you are fortunate if you escape
a partner In your bed \
That's somewhat how America inn
pressed Blrkbeck. Does my contribu-
tion pass muster2" The company said
Il did.