The Dallas Daily Herald

Daily Herald.

OUR LETTER-BOX.

A Trip to Pantherville—Fine Country—Lively Little City—Graceful Reception—Urbane Railway Officials—Etc. Etc.

DALLAS, Texas, September 30, 1876.

To the Editor of the Herald:

Through the politeness of Colonel T. H. Murray, general inspector of the Texas and Pacific railroad, your correspondent with a party of several others, took a pleasure excursion to Fort Worth, on the 28th instant.

Upon assembling at the depot prior to the departure of the train at 8:30 a. m., we found Governor Brown, Colonel Murray, Major Long, Major Washburn, the accommodating conductor, Parson, besides the guests invited for the excursion assembled.

After leaving the Queen City, we passed through a fine section of farming country. Fields of cotton and corn nestling in valleys between belts of timber, and hundreds of cattle grazing on the hills on either side, showing to those who stop to reflect, how advantageous to Dallas, as a point of supplies, the opening up of such a section of country by means of a railroad is. In what seemed a very short space of time, 'the Future Great,' (according to the Panthervillians' version) could be seen in the distance crowning the summit of the bluffs overlooking the west fork of the Trinity; and so beautiful was the panorama that one almost expected to see it vanish as a mirage, on nearer approach. However it did not, but proved by the numerous sounds of hammer and saw, and the busy throngs on its streets that it is a substantial little city—just what a Dallasite would like it to prove and should sincerely pray that just such satellite towns as second Dallas may every year increase.

Upon our arrival in Fort Worth we were received in carriages and driven over the city, which is decidedly a sightly and beautiful place, and one presenting more of the appearance of thrift and business than any other place I have seen outside of Dallas.

After our drive we were landed at the Transcontinental Hotel, where we were received by the urbane host, Colonel Fairfax, and where we were gorged with the good things of this life in the shape of solids and fluids until we were from sheer necessity compelled to cry quits.

Among the many notables to whom we are indebted for the hospitable treatment I must mention Captain Paddock, the gentlemanly editor of the Fort Worth Daily Democrat, who received us kindly, treated us well, showed us the exact spot where the panther lay down, and in company with several of the fair ones and Colonel Fairfax, of the Fort, escorted us home, with all due ceremony, making the trip lively with their witty sayings.

I cannot close without complimenting the owners and officers of this road. Several of whom were on board the car for if they are universally as polite and attentive to the requirements of their passengers, and from their genial whole-souled natures it cannot be otherwise, this road must be a success above and beyond all other roads, for a more courteous set of gentlemen I never met, and that is a quality appreciated by the traveling public far more than the officials of many roads think.

With many thanks on behalf of the party to Murray, et al. I am yours, etc.,

CHARLES T. S. DAKE.