Gallipolis Journal

A Lone Journey.—An accomplished gentleman of fine scientific attainments, arrived here last week, en route by Gov. Stevens' survey, to Fort Union on the Missouri river, 719 miles from this place. He makes the journey solitary and alone. We know not whether to be most astonished or amused at his recital of the singular mode he had adopted for performing the trip. He took no supplies whatever with him, but relies on his gun for subsistence through the route. His entire outfit consists of a gun, ammunition, blank books, pen, paper, and scientific instruments. He travels on foot, and draws his meagre outfit in a small hand-cart, with his own hand. In this unique mode of traveling, he believed he could better acquaint himself with the topography of the country, the soil, and its geological characteristics, than, were he accompanied, as is usually the case in such expeditions, by a retinue as compagnons du voyage.

Undisturbed and untrammeled, he proposes by himself to make a thorough examination of this interesting region of country, transferring to his books as he proceeds in minute, the result of his observations. The enterprise is worthy of Audubon in his palmy days, when he traversed the wild haunts of Texas, rejoicing in the songs of birds, his dearest companions. We were charmed with the courage and enthusiasm of the man. He is yet a young man, but evidently belongs to that class of scholars whose enthusiasm for the acquisition of natural science and new information, inspires them with the courage to encounter every difficulty and brave every danger.

In these mercenary times we meet with few such, and when we do we cannot but look upon them as adventurous spirits of lofty impulses, divinely commissioned for the purpose of adding, through toil and danger, to the fund of human knowledge, and thence to the aggregate of human happiness.

At any rate, but few have the resolution to venture so far. But having crossed the river just opposite town, and drawn his little cart fairly upon the spot from which Gov. Stevens commenced his survey, he bid us a hearty good bye, and started off with a light heart. Over the bluff, away over the prairie, he was soon out of sight.

Altogether it was an interesting occurrence. The man polished in manner and mind—the object of the journey—the mode in which it was to be made—it being over the famous railroad survey, starting at a point precisely opposite town—all made the occasion one of more than ordinary interest. We learned little of our friend's history. He was, apart from education, well fitted for the enterprise he has so courageously undertaken. He has lived with the Indian, and with him hunted the buffalo, and traversed the prairie; and always happy, whether in the midst of the plain, at the foot of the moss-grown oak in the forest, or on the bank of the brook and river.—Sauk Rapids Frontierman