Illinois newspaper directory. History of the Illinois press association

Illinois Newspaper Directors and Historythe king-mountains known as the lending dignity and magnificence to the unrivaledscene. The beauty and interest of the surroundings were greatly increased by the historicinterest which centers in and around Monterey. On the right, well up the mountainside, stands the Bishop's Palace, a silent monument to the superior skill and braveryof the American soldiers, when under the immediate command of Gen. Worth theywent through the mountain gap and ascended the hill in the rear of the palace, andby this vantage drove the Mexicans from their supposed invulnerable position. On theleft -.till remain the ruins of the celebrated Black Fort. This visit around the cityshowed that its American occupancy had given it more the type of our own countrythan is possessed by any other Mexican locality, not even excepting the Capital of theRepublic. At the completion of the ride through the city the party was conducted tothe Hidalgo Hotel, where the Mexican National, the Monterey & Gulf and citizens ofMonterey entertained the Illinois party with mi elegant banquet. At the conclusionof this on invitation from Mr. J. A. Robertson, general manager of the Monterey &Gulf Railroad, a ride of 30 miles was taken to the San Juan River. This road is a newenterprise which is opening up the country from Monterey to Tampico, as well as fromMonterey northwest to the Pacific Ocean. The country through which it passes beingthe most productive and fertile in northern Mexico, it is expected that this road willbe an important factor in its development as well as of great benefit to Monterey. Theparty was pleased to find many Americans here. After so many days of almost exclusiveassociation with Mexicans, the sight of these people of the Northern Republic wasa genuine pleasure."At 11:25 p.m., the Pullman Sleepers were again in motion toward the Rio Grande.Early on Friday morning the border was crossed and the gantlet of the customs officerswas safely run by the 64 people who had accumulated baskets, serapes, water bottles,canes, etc., enough to fill an ordinary freight car. The officers, being Americans andfamiliar with the impecuniosity of the average newspaper man, confessed that he hademployed insufficient assistance for such a cargo, and let the precious freight escapeduty free. Once again on American soil a sense of relief could be read upon eachface. Though Laredo is scarcely less Mexican in its many scenes and the common runof its people than its Mexican counter-part across the river, yet the feeling that wewere again in 'God's Country' was sufficient to produce perfect happiness to all."After a short delay in changing the trucks of one sleeper from narrow to standardgauge and transferring from the other sleepers to those already on standard trucks, aspecial train with Receiver Eddy's private car attached and in charge of the genialconductor Blunt all were again flying through the sage brush, cactus and jack-rabbits ofSouth-west Texas. At 7 p.m. the halt was made for supper at a little water stationcalled Moore. Here Mother Nelson, a typical Tennessean, served the best meal on thetrip. When she was informed that the party believed that it was the best meal theyhad enjoyed, she innocently and frankly said 'I know it.' The next stop was forbreakfast at Palestine. Although the name of this town has somewhat of a holy flavor,the forcible execrations from the disgusted excursionists did not suggest anything inany manner sacred. A very comfortable dinner and a short rest at Longview waitingfor transportation by the Texas & Pacific to Texarkana were the next in order. Soonagain the Illinois party was in motion and after a pleasant ride of 98 miles, over asmooth track, the Texas & Pacific landed them at Texarkana. A delicious supper washeartily relished. An old friend was recognized in the Iron Mountain railroad whichcompleted the journey to St. Louis on Sunday evening March 9, at 5:45 o'clock, stopsbeing made at Walnut Ridge, Arkansas, for breakfast and Bismarck, Missouri, fordinner. The original plan embraced fifteen days, but owing to delays at Laredo going