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START RESOURCE: douglass-journey 1876



 

"Trip to Philadelphia Centennial and Canada
By William Henry Douglas, 1876, at age of 23.

Monday, June 19th, 1976: Left Elmwood June 19th, at 9:16 A.M. and arrived at Cincinnati 10:30 P.M. Stopped at the Burnet House. Rates $4.00 per day – good house. Indianapolis is a much prettier place then Cin. Crops from E to Cin. not as good as in Ill.

Tuesday June 20th: Left Cincinatti at 9:30 A.M. Arrived at Parkersburg at 5:55 PM and Grafton at 9:30 P.M. Passed through the famous Sciota Valley . The scenery from Parkersburg was nice and crops good.

Wednesday June 21st: Arrived at Harper’s Ferry at 4:30 AM . Saw the Engine house that John Brown was captured i. The R.R. runs along a canal for several miles. The Scenery around Harper’s Ferry is grand, being surrounded by Rocks and Mountains. Plenty of Stone fences and Evergreen trees.

8:30 AM finds us at Washington D.C . which is a “Boss” City. Took Breakfast and then went “up town” to see the Sights. The Streets are clean and sidewalks composed of stone flags – Brocks, + c. – Weather fine. Weight in Washington 123.

What we saw in Washington: 1st City Hall and Lincoln Monument  2nd Post Office  3rd Patent Office, an immense, and beautiful building inside, floor mark, Iron Staircases, Marble, +c. Saw Washington’s Bureau Candlestick +c., also Lincoln’s gloves, +c.

Taking Carriage at 12:30 P.M. We were driven through the Winding drives of Smithsonian grounds, Entering the Institute we was Curiosities of Every Imaginable Description. Then visited the Agricultural Department Building and Green houses. Where we saw every description of Tropical Plants +c.

After a drive passing the Treasury Dept, Willard’s Hotel, Freedmen’s Savings Bank, some of the Principal Churches +c., we visited the White House where we were very politely escorted through the East Room, Green Room, Blue do (?) and Private Parlor of the Family, all of which, including beautiful grounds – containing fountains, beautiful flowers +c – are Immense.

Passing the New War Dept and the Treasury Building   - in course of construction, we next visited the “ Corcoran Art Gallery ”. Returning to the Treasury Building – with the intention of going through it – we were informed that we were a little too late in the day for visitors to visit the interior, so concluded to postpone “getting rich” until some more convenient time.

Returning to the Capitol where we visited the House of Repre’sts + also the Senate, went up in the Dome where we could see all over the city and at 5:35 P.M. left for Philadelphia .

The first place of importance is Baltimore . This city is noted for its Oysters of which the streets near the lower part of the city are made of Oyster shells. Here we were taken through the cist a distance of 1 ½ miles one car at a time by one Horse and six mules. Arrived in Phila at 11 P.M. stopped at a Private Board’s House at 1114 Vine Street .

Thursday 22” June: At ( A.M. in company with a Mr. H. C. Snyder of Indianapolis , took the Cars for the Centennial grounds and first visited the Main Building and some others. Returned to city at 6:30 P.M. + went to Arch St. Theatre. Heard Harrigan + Hart and the Doyle Brothers.

Friday, June 23rd” – Went to the Centennial and visited the Art Gallery and Carriages and machinery Hall. Attended Kiralfy’s Alhamba Palace [ See image ], Chestnut St. played “A trip to the Moon”

Saturday 24th: Saw the Agricultural Hall, Horticultural Hall and Government Building , also Ladies Pavilion. Returned to City and visited Independence Hall + Post Office. Took the 5:35 train for N.Y. + arrived at 9:35 P.M. Crossed the Jersey Ferry and stopped at a European Hotel on Broadway.

Board in Philadelphia : Lodging, Brkf’st + Supper @ 1.50 Per day. Costs about 30 to 35 cts for dinner on grounds.

Board in N.Y. European: Paid 75 cts per day for Room.

Sunday 25” 1876: Went to Plymouth church + heard Beecher Church was crowded from there to “ Greenwood Cemetery ”. Then by rail to Coney Island . In the evening went to Central Park . Weather very warm.

Monday June 26th: Visited Stewart’s Wholesale and Retail stores, City Hall and Square, also Horstkind P + saw W. D. Pitcher, called at Bartlett Reed + Co’s and saw several fine places on Broadway +c. Took the 6 P.M. Boat “St Johns” for Albany.

Tuesday June 27th 1876 : Arrived at Albany at 6 A.M. took the cars at 6:45 for Rochester . Arrived at Rochester at 5:35 and Charlotte at 6 P.M. Took the Steamer “Norseman” at 9:10 for Port Hope.

Wednesday June 28th 1876 : Arrived at Port Hope at 6 A.M. Took Breakfast at the St. Laurence Hall. Took the 9:40 A.M. train for Belleville . Arrived at 12 N Went to Uncle W. W.’s for dinner and in the evening went rowing on the Bay of Quinte .

Thursday June 29th 1876 : Stopped in Belleville . Went 9 A.M. on an Excursion to  Mill Point and Return on the Elephant Steamer “ Oswego Belle” in the P.M. Went to Picnic in Sidney . Took tea at Theo. Foster’s. Returned to W. W.’s and went rowing in the evening.

Friday June 30th: Headquarters in Belleville . Went rowing in the Evening.

Saturday July 1st: Headquarters in Belleville . called at Tho’s Jones + Mrs. Horne in the P.M. and Alf Vermilyea’s in the Evening.

Sunday July 2nd: Attended the Wesleyan Methodist Church . Rained nearly all day. Went W. M. Church in the Evening.

Monday July 3rd: Took the 4:30 P.M. Stmr Oswego Belle for Oswego . Merchants celebrated Dominion Day in Belleville .

Tuesday July 4th: Arrived at Oswego at 10:30 A.M. Saw the street parade and Exercises in Park. Commenced to rain about 2 P.M. + rained at intervals during the P.M. Took dinner at Oswego Hotel. Took supper at Hamilton . Saw fireworks at night. Took 10:30 Boat for Kingston .

Wednesday July 5th: Arrived at Kingston at 4:30 A.M. Took breakfast at the “Angle American”. Took carriage and went to Ed Hartman’s + went fishing +c. Returned to Kingston at 5 P.M. Called on Bob Eelbeck + took tea. Then went with Eva Peterson, Min. Keely + the Misses Hyman to a Strawberry Festival in City Hall. Returned to Hotel about 12 and took the Steamer “Kincardine” at 3 A.M. on…

Thursday 6th inst: Arrived at Belleville at 12:20 . Took dinner at Uncle Wins. Went rowing in the evening.

Friday July 7th: Wrote home in the A.M. and Owen and I took dinner with Mrs. Horne and in the P.M. went with Uncle Win to visit Mr. Fuller’s.

Saturday 8th: Went to Market in the A.M. Saw old friends. Took dinner at Mr. Jacob Fretz and went home at night with Joe Caldwell.

Sunday 9th: Hot. Took dinner at Mack Caldwell’s and returned to John Caldwell’s. Mack’s wife’s name: Jo Hazelitt.

Monday 10th: Wrote some letters in the A.M. and took dinner at Dave Caldwell’s. returned with John at night. Weather Hot.

Tuesday 11th: Wrote to A. G. and all went to Will’s to dinner and Mr. Hazelitt’s to tea. Returned to John Caldwell’s at night.

Wednesday July 12th: Went to John Caldwell’s with Jim Hamilton, arrive at about 12 N and took dinner at Geo. Seeley’s. Saw Orange Parade: 12 Lodges represented, 1 Brass Band from Belleville and one from Stirling + a number of Martial bands. Orations in The Grove about a mile from town. Returned and stayed with Geo. Seeley all night. Saw about a “Thousand” girls.

July 13th 1876 – Thursday: Saw Vanamburg's Circus Street Parade in the A.M. and called at a friend in P.M. Went with Mart at night.

Friday July 14th: Went to Mr. Cray’s for dinner and Uncle Elam White’s to tea. Called on Young Ladies in Evening and stayed with Mart all night.  Mrs. Greene – Deacon.

Saturday July 15th: Went Whortleberrying and got Wintergreen + Tamarack Gum. Took the 2 P.M. Stage for Belleville , arrived at 5 P.M. Saw C. M. Jones and rec’d a letter from home and all and went with Mack Caldwell + stayed all night.

Sunday July 16th: Took B. at Mack’s. Dinner at Mr. Ross. Attended Presby Church at 3 P.M. returned to Mack’s to tea and all went to John’s and I stayed all night.

 

 

 

 

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See also: A letter William H. Douglas wrote his parents about the same trip which was printed in the Elmwood newspaper: Trip East

Links: William H. Douglas

 


END RESOURCE: douglass-journey 1876