 While in conversation with several of our prominent
    citizens, among them, W. A. Work, superintendent of our public
    schools; A. J. O'Connor, clerk of the city court; W. T. Mason, Esq.,
    and others, all of whom were present and heard your lecture, I was
    requested to write you and tender their hearty thanks for the
    entertainment and their good wishes for your success in your ride
    across the continent. Should you ever again visit our city you can
    rest assured you will be most cordially received.

                                 Very truly yours,
                                               R. C. STEPHENS,
                                     _Late Colonel U. S. Volunteers_.

[Illustration: A HAPPY FAMILY.]


One Hundred and Thirty-ninth Day.

                                            _Farm House_,
                               BETWEEN GENESSEO AND MOLINE, ILLINOIS,
                                   _September Twenty-seventh_.

Started away from Annawan at nine o'clock but after riding about a mile
and a half I discovered that I had left my journal and was obliged to
return for it. All day I was on a seemingly endless prairie, dotted here
and there with cornfields and apple orchards. Illinois takes the lead in
stock-raising, and the horses and cattle seen in this day's ride were
fully up to the best standard.

Had dinner at the house of a coal miner, whom I found very intelligent,
and was well entertained by a talk on mining industries in Illinois from
a practical point of view. This is a bituminous coal region and there
are mines in operation all over the State.

My host, Pullman by name, had recently returned from the Pacific coast
and to my eager inquiries was able to tell me much about the country
between Omaha and Sacramento.

At night, after having made twenty-one miles, I reached this place and
was domiciled with the family of Mrs. Charlotte Bills, who came formerly
from Jefferson County, New York. As my native county of Saint Lawrence
adjoins Jefferson, the Bills and I had a lively talk on "Old York
State," and I became much interested in the work of this enterprising
woman and her family.

Mrs. Bills has succeeded in a direction
While in conversation with several of our prominent 
     citizens, among them, W. A. Work, superintendent of our public 
     school; A. J. O'Connor, salesclerk of the city court; W. T. Mason, Esq. , 
     and others, all of whom were present and heard your lecture, I was 
     request to compose you and tender their hearty thanks for the 
     entertainment and their good wish for your achiever in your ride 
     across the continent. Should you ever again visit our city you can 
     rest assured you will be about cordially received. 

                                  Very truly yours, 
                                                R. C. STEPHENS, 
                                      _ Late Colonel U. S. Volunteers _. 

 [ Illustration: A HAPPY FAMILY. ] 


 One Hundred and Thirty - ninth Day. 

                                             _ Farm House _, 
                                BETWEEN GENESSEO AND MOLINE, ILLINOIS, 
                                    _ September Twenty - one-seventh _. 

 Started away from Annawan at nine o'clock but after ride about a mile 
 and a half I detect that I had left my journal and was obliged to 
 retort for it. All day I was on a seemingly endless prairie, dotted here 
 and there with cornfield and apple orchards. Illinois take the lead in 
 stock - raising, and the horse and cattle seen in this day's ride were 
 fully up to the best criterion. 

 hold dinner at the house of a coal miner, whom I found very intelligent, 
 and was well entertained by a talk on mining industries in Illinois from 
 a practical detail of view. This is a bituminous coal area and there 
 are mine in mathematical process all over the State. 

 My host, Pullman by name, had recently return from the Pacific coast 
 and to my eager inquiries was able to tell me much about the country 
 between Omaha and Sacramento. 

 At nox, after having made twenty - one miles, I reached this place and 
 was domiciled with the family of Mrs. Charlotte Bills, who came formerly 
 from Jefferson County, New York. As my native county of Saint Lawrence 
 adjoins Jefferson, the Bills and I had a lively talk on " Old York 
 State, " and I become much concerned in the workplace of this enterprising 
 woman and her family. 

 Mrs. Bills has succeeded in a direction
 Whlle in conversation with several of our prominxnt
    ditizens, among them, W. A. Work, superinvendwnt od our public
    schoolr; A. J. O'Cojnor, cleek oh the city court; W. T. Mason, Esq.,
    aud others, all of whom were present and haafd your lecture, I was
    requested to write uok and tender treir rearfj uhanks for the
    entertainment ahd theig good wishes for your success in your ride
    wcross the continejt. Should yiu edwr again viskt our citj you can
    rest assured you will be most cordnally receicee.

                                 Very tsuly yoirs,
                                               R. C. STEPHGNS,
                                     _Nate Xolunem N. S. Volunheecs_.

[Illustratjon: A HAPPY FAMILY.]


One Hundred snq Thirty-ninth Say.

                                            _Xarj House_,
                               BETWEEJ GENESSEJ AND MOLINE, ILLINOIS,
                                   _Sektcicwr Twenty-seventh_.

Started away from Annawan at nigs p'ckock but after riding aboit a iile
and a halw I discobered that I had lfft my tournql and waf obkiged to
return for it. All dqy I was on c swemingly endless pxairie, dotteb here
snd tnere with cornfields anb appls orchards. Lllinois fxkes the lead in
rtobk-rahsing, and the horses and cwttle seei in chis day'r rice werq
fully up ho thc best standard.

Had finnet at tve house ov a coal miner, whom I found verb intelligent,
sng wds well zntertsined by a tajk on mining iudustrief in Kllinois fgom
a pracvical point jf view. This hd a bituminons coal rqgiob ane there
xfe mines in oprration all over thw State.

My host, Pulkmav by name, had reetntoy returned frok tfe [abifmc cowvt
and to my aagef ivauirids was able go trll me much about tha cohntry
between Omaha akd Sacramgnto.

At nidht, after havong made twenty-one milev, I reacned this place and
was domiciled wjth the fwmijy of Mrs. Chwrlobte Fills, who eame formerly
from Jefferson County, New Yirk. As my native ciunty of Saint Lawrgnct
adjoins Jeffxrson, ehe Bills and I had a lively ralk on "Old York
Suate," and I became much jnterevted ln the work of this enterprising
woman and her family.

Mrs. Bills has succeedwd in e qirection
While in conversation with several of our among W. A. superintendent of our clerk the city court; T. Mason, Esq., others, all of whom were present heard your lecture, I was requested to write you and tender their hearty for the entertainment and their good wishes for your success in your ride the Should ever visit our city you can rest assured you will be most cordially received. Very truly yours, C. STEPHENS, _Late Colonel U. S. Volunteers_. [Illustration: HAPPY FAMILY.] One Hundred Thirty-ninth Day. _Farm House_, BETWEEN AND ILLINOIS, _September Started from at nine o'clock after riding about a mile and a half I discovered that I had left my journal and obliged to it. All I on seemingly endless prairie, and there with cornfields and apple the lead in stock-raising, and the horses and seen in day's ride were fully up to best standard. Had dinner at the house of coal miner, whom I found very intelligent, and was well entertained by a talk on in Illinois from a point of view. is bituminous region there are in operation all over the State. My host, Pullman by name, recently returned from the Pacific coast and to my eager able tell me much the country between Omaha Sacramento. night, after having made I this domiciled the of Mrs. Charlotte Bills, came formerly from Jefferson County, York. As my native Jefferson, the Bills and I had a lively on "Old York State," and I became interested in the work of this enterprising woman and her family. Mrs. has succeeded direction
 While in conversation with seVeral of our PromiNenT
    ciTiZens, AmonG them, W. A. Work, supERintEndent of our public
    schooLs; A. J. O'coNNor, cLErK of thE city coURt; w. t. masOn, esQ.,
    anD oTHeRs, all Of wHom were Present and HeaRd Your lecture, I WAs
    Requested tO wrIte you and tenDer Their hEaRty THanks For The
    enTertaiNMent anD their gooD wIShes foR Your sucCESs In yoUr ride
    across the coNTiNEnt. Should you evEr agaiN vISiT OUr cIty You can
    rest AsSured YOu will bE MoST COrdIAlly received.

                                 VEry truly youRS,
                                               R. C. sTEPHEnS,
                                     _latE coloneL U. S. VoLuNTeeRs_.

[IllustratIon: A hAPPY FAMIlY.]


One HUNdred anD thirty-nInth DaY.

                                            _FaRm HOuse_,
                               beTwEeN GeNesSEo aNd MOliNE, iLLINOIS,
                                   _sePtEmber twenTY-SEVentH_.

StArteD away From Annawan at NinE o'clOCk bUt aftEr ridIng aBoUt a miLe
and a Half I DiScovered that I haD lefT my journaL anD wAs oBlIged tO
Return For It. ALl day I wAs on a seEMinGlY ENDlEss prairie, dotted heRe
AND tHere with CornfiELdS aND apple orChArdS. IllINOis taKes tHE lEad in
stoCk-raisINg, AnD the horSeS and caTtLe sEen In thiS Day's Ride weRe
fully uP to thE Best standard.

HaD Dinner at the hoUSe OF A cOAl miNer, Whom I found vEry iNTellIgenT,
AnD waS Well eNtertAiNEd BY a talk on mining indusTrIes in ILlinoIs from
a practiCal point of VIEW. This is a BituMInOUs coal region anD therE
are mines iN OperatioN all oVer the StAte.

My host, pULlman by nAme, Had RecEntLY ReTurned from the pACifiC cOast
and To mY eager iNquIriEs wAs aBlE to tell me Much abouT tHe CoUnTry
BetweEN Omaha anD SAcrAmEntO.

At niGHt, afteR haviNg maDe TwENty-One mileS, i rEAChed ThIs PlacE anD
wAs domIcilED wiTh the faMily of Mrs. chaRLottE BIlLs, who caMe formerly
froM JEfferson CoUnTy, NEw York. aS My native County of Saint Lawrence
adJOins JefFerSon, thE BilLs and I had A liVely taLk oN "old YorK
State," And I bEcAme MUCh intEREsTed In The work of tHIS enTerprIsIng
wOman and Her family.

Mrs. Bills hAS suCceeded in a dirEctIon
 While in conversation wit h severalof ou r p rom in ent   citizens, amon g  the m, W. A. Work, superin tende nt of o u rpubli c
    s c ho o l s;A.  J . O 'C o nn or, c ler k of th e city cou rt;  W . T. Mason,E sq .,
    and  ot hers, all of  wh om wer epre s ent a ndheard  yourl ecture , I was
 reques t ed to w r i te  you  and tender their he a rty thanks for  the
 en t e rta inm ent and th ei r goo d  wishes fo r y our success in yo ur ride
  acr oss th econ t inent.  Shou ld you  ever again  vis it our ci ty you can
  rest as suredyou  wi ll b e  m os t c or d ial l yrec e ive d.

                     Very  truly yours, 
                                   R. C. STEPHE NS,                           _Late C olonelU . S .V o l un teers_.

[Illustra ti o n :A HAPPYFAMILY . ]
O ne Hundr ed  an d Th i r ty-ni nthD ay .

                                _ Farm  House _,
                          BETWEENG EN E S SE O  AND  MO LINE, ILLIN OIS,                        _September Twen ty -seven th_.
Started away  from Anna w a n  at nine  o'c l oc k  but after rid ing a bout a mil e 
and a h alf I  discove red thatI had left  my  jo urn ala n dwas obliged t o retu rn  for it . A ll dayI w asona s ee mingly en dless pr ai ri e,  d ott ed he r e
and th er e w it h c ornfi e lds an d app le o rc ha r ds.  Illino i st a kesth elead  in 
s tock- rais i ng,  and th e horsesand catt le  s een inthis day's ri de  were
full yupto the b est stan dard.

Had dinner at th e  houseofa coa l mi ner, whom  Ifoundver y  intel ligent ,
and  w asw e ll en t e rt ain ed  by a talk o n m ining  i ndus tries i n Illinois from
ap rac tical point o f v iew. T hi s i s  a bit um i nou s coal region and  there
are  m i ne s in opera t ion  a ll over  the St ate.My host , Pullman  by name,  h ad r e c ent ly returne d from t he Pacifi c  coas t 
a nd to  my  eager  i nqu iries  was a b leto te ll memu ch abo ut th ecountrybetween Omaha and Sacra mento. 

Atnig ht, after  ha v ing  made twe nty- one miles,  Irea chedthi s  plac e an d 
w asd omici ledw ith the f a mi lyo f  M rs. Charlot t e Bil ls, w hoc ame fo rmer ly
from Jefferson County, New Yo rk.A s  my  na t iveco unty of SaintLaw re n c e
adjoin sJefferson,the Bill sa nd Ihad alively  talk o n "O l d York 
Sta te, " and I b eca me much in te re s ted in  the  w ork of  thise nter p r ising
woman andher f a m ily.Mrs . Bil ls  has su c ceed ed in a di rection
 While_in conversation_with several of our_prominent
 __ citizens,_among_them, W. A._Work, superintendent of_our public
  _ schools; A._J._O'Connor, clerk of the city court; W. T. Mason, Esq.,
    and_others,_all of_whom_were_present and heard your lecture,_I was
   _requested to_write you and tender their hearty thanks for_the
_  _entertainment and their good wishes for your success in_your ride
    across_the continent. Should_you_ever_again visit our city_you can
    rest_assured you will be most cordially_received.

      _     _    _ _    _  _ _  _Very truly yours,
   _  _     __  ___ _  __ __     __      _   __R. C. STEPHENS,
 _    _     _ _ _          _     _   _Late_Colonel U._S._Volunteers_.

[Illustration: A HAPPY_FAMILY.]


One_Hundred and_Thirty-ninth Day.

     _ _     _   __     _     _    ___    _ _Farm House_,
   _  _      __     __     ___ BETWEEN GENESSEO AND MOLINE,_ILLINOIS,
     _        _  _    ___         __September Twenty-seventh_.

Started_away from Annawan_at nine o'clock but after riding about a mile
and a_half I discovered that I had left_my journal and was obliged to
return for it. All day I_was on a seemingly endless prairie, dotted here
and_there with cornfields and apple orchards. Illinois_takes the lead in
stock-raising,_and_the horses and cattle seen in this_day's_ride_were
fully_up to the_best standard.

Had dinner_at the house_of a_coal miner, whom_I found_very intelligent,
and was_well_entertained by a talk on mining industries in Illinois from
a practical point of view. This is a bituminous_coal region and there
are mines in_operation all over the State.

My_host,_Pullman by name,_had recently returned from_the Pacific coast
and to my eager inquiries was_able to tell me much about the country
between Omaha_and_Sacramento.

At night,_after having made twenty-one_miles, I_reached this_place and
was domiciled_with the_family of_Mrs. Charlotte_Bills, who came formerly
from Jefferson County, New_York._As my native county of Saint Lawrence
adjoins Jefferson, the_Bills_and_I_had a lively_talk on "Old_York
State," and I_became much interested_in_the work of this enterprising
woman and_her family.

Mrs. Bills_has succeeded in a_direction