By the Golden Gate | Page 2

Southern Pacific
roads. This route was deemed most feasible, and one that would give a
special opportunity to pass through cities and places famous in the
history of the Nation, which otherwise could not be visited without
great expense and consumption of time. It enabled one also to travel
through such great States as Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa,
Nebraska, Colorado, Utah, and Nevada, as well as central California.
As the return journey had also to be determined before leaving home,
the writer, desirous of visiting the coast towns of California south of
San Francisco, and as far down as San Diego, the first settlement in
California by white men, arranged to take the Southern Pacific Railway
and the direct lines with which it communicates. In travelling over the
"Sunset Route," as the Southern Pacific is styled, he would pass across
the southern section of California from Los Angeles, through Arizona,
New Mexico, Texas and Louisiana, the line over which President

McKinley travelled when he made his tour in the spring of 1901. From
New Orleans, by taking the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, he
would journey through southern Mississippi, Tennessee, Kentucky, and
so back through Ohio from Cincinnati, and across Pennsylvania into
the Empire State, over the Erie and the "D. & H." Railways. By the
"Sunset Route," too, the writer could avail himself of the privilege of
going into the country of Mexico at Eagle Pass, and so down to the
City of Mexico, famous with the memories of the Montezumas and of
Cortez and furnishing also a memorable chapter in our own history,
when, in September 1847, the heights of Chapultepec were stormed by
General Pillow and his brave followers.
The journey from beginning to end was one of delightful experiences,
full of pleasure and profit, and without a single accident or mishap.
This is largely owing to the excellent service afforded and the courtesy
of the railway officials, who were ready at all times to answer questions
and to promote the comfort of the passengers. The obliging agent of the
"D. & H." Railway in Saratoga Springs made all the necessary
arrangements for the ticket, with its coupons, which was to take me to
and fro; and baggage checked in Saratoga was found promptly, and in
good condition, on my arrival in San Francisco. How different our
system, in this respect, from that of the English and Continental and
Oriental railways! Luggage in those far off countries is a source of
constant care, and in Continental Europe and Asiatic lands a heavy item
of expense. The old world might learn in several particulars from our
efficient American railway system, which has for its prime object
facility of travel. The ticket was an object of interest from its length,
with its privileges of stopping over at important towns; and strangely,
as I travelled down the Pacific coast, with new coupons added, it
seemed to grow instead of diminishing. One could not but smile at
times at its appearance, and the wonder of more than one conductor on
the trains was excited as it was unfolded, and it streamed out like the
tail of a kite. It was most generous in its proportions as the railway
companies were liberal in their concessions.
It was on September the 23rd, 1901, a bright Monday morning, when I
stepped on the "D. & H." for Albany, thence proceeding from the

Capital City to Binghamton, where I made connection with the Erie
Railway. Travelling on the train with me as far as Albany were Mr. W.
Edgar Woolley, proprietor of the Grand Union Hotel, Saratoga, and
Mrs. James Amory Moore, of Saratoga and New York city, whose
hearty wish that I might have a prosperous journey was prophetic. The
country traversed from Saratoga to Binghamton by the "D. & H."
Railway affords many beautiful views of hill and valley, and, besides
Albany with its long and memorable history and magnificent public
buildings and churches, including St. Peter's and All Saints' Cathedral,
there are places of note to be seen, such as Howe's Cave and Sharon
Springs. By this branch of the "D. & H" system, Cooperstown,
rendered famous by James Fenimore Cooper in his works, is reached.
On alighting from the train at Binghamton I was greeted by my old
friends, Col. Arthur MacArthur, the genial and accomplished editor of
the Troy Budget, and that witty soul, Rev. Cornelius L. Twing, Rector
of Calvary Church, Brooklyn, N.Y., who had come here for the purpose
of attending the Annual Conclave of the Grand Commandery of the
State of New York. At Buffalo I had sufficient time, before taking the
through sleeping car "Sweden," on the Erie Railway, to Chicago, to
visit the Pan-American Exposition grounds. The scene, at night, as I
approached, was very impressive. The