Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1908-07-09

Right at the commencement of our long
trim it seemed we were fated to be de-
layed. Drawn by a crippled engine, our
train reached Thurmont late and we man
aged to get to Hagerstown just one hour
behind schedule time. Of course this
broke our connections and rather than
wait over night to catch another through
train, we changed our route and left Ha-
gerstown via the Cumberland Valley to
Harrisburg. From an agricultural point
of view, think the Cumberland Valley
equals any section of the country we pass
ed through. 1t reminds me q great deal
of our own Frederick county, with its
splendid farm buildings, fertile lands,
abundant crops and fruit of all kinds.
We noticed one very peculiar thing about
this railroad that passes tn ough the
Cumberland Valley. Instead of skirtng
or passing around the edge of the towns
as most railroads do, it goes right down
Main street and through the heart of the
towns. We did not learn if the towns or
railroad was built first, but concluded
that the people of this beautiful valley
were so anxious to have railroad that
they gave it the privilege of going any
where.
Before reaching Harrisburg we crossed
the Susquehanna river. In mid-river on
an island we noticed fair sized crowd
watching game of baseball. We tho't
of the umpire in case his decisions did mt
meet with favor what a good swimmer
he must be. During our stop at Harris
burg we met Mr.. Clarence Stevens, for
merly of Creagerstown, but now one of
the merchants of this capitol city. Thro
his kindness we saw many places and
buildings of interest, among them the
Capitol, in the construction of which the
politicians found such big chunk of
graft. Leaving Harrisburg the railroad
skirts the river for many miles and there
are some beautiful mountain and river
scenes, in fact the road finds its pathway
into the very heart of the Alleghanies by
closely following the course of the Sus-
quehana river. We made short stop at
Altoona where the Pennsylvania railroad
has extensive shops and employs large
number of men. From Altoona we pass
through section of country in which we
saw many coal and coke ovens and come
to Pittsburg Of this great city's many
varied industries we will not go into de-
TAIL suffice it to say we think it well de-
serves its non de plume, 'The smoky
city. Besides being the headquarters
of the steel and iron industry, we would
think the laundry business would be
winner.
From Pttsburg we soon pass into Ohio
through very billy country where we
noticed many oil wells. Beyond this we
pass through a rich agricultural section
and soon arrive at Columbus, the capitol,
This seemed to be an up to date city, has
many fine public buildings and large bus
mess concerns From Columbus we come
to Logansport, Indiana. This is town
of considerable size and Importance. In
travelling through Indiana on our former
western trips, we had noted the heavy
timber of this section. Now we see the
timber is fast disappearing and growing
crops taking its place. From Logans-
port we went direct to Chicago, passing
through rich agricultural part of Hi
nois. Long before reaching Chicago one
can easily tell he is nearing some great
metropolis. On either side of the rail-
road you can see hundreds of acres of
growing vegetables of all kinds andsa
veritabe army of men and women work
ing in this immense vegetable garden
getting the produce ready for the great
city's mark ct