390 OCEAN TO OCEAN ^ ON HORSEBACK. 



prevented. Through the courtesy of Colonel Stephens, 

 editor of the La Salle County Press and a colonel 

 in the volunteer service during the late war, I was in- 

 troduced to many of the citizens who told rae much of 

 the history and enterprises of their town. 



®\\t ^ww^xt^ anil uEljirtu-ftftl) JDag. 



Harrison House, 

 La Salle, Illinois, 

 September Twenty-third. 



Rode down to Peru in the morning accompanied by 

 Colonel Stephens, who wished to show me the pride 

 of the county — the big plow works, which constitute 

 the leading industry of the place. Was introduced to 

 members of the firm and shown through the various 

 departments of the establishment, which were certainly 

 imposing in the way of machinery and in the evidence 

 of mechanical skill. We returned to La Salle at four 

 o'clock and my hospitable comrade proposed that we 

 take a stroll through the city, to which I quickly 

 consented. 



Colonel Stephens introduced me to my audience in 

 the evening, and made pleasant reference to the l)rave 

 and chivalrous Custer. My entertainment here was most 

 gratifying and I was warmly assured of the good will 

 of the people through the local press. 



I have proved that everywhere in this country the 

 spirit of hospitality reigns. Whether in large cities 

 or small towns, the utmost cordiality prevails, and the 

 stranger can always rely upon a hearty welcome. 



