Misc. Records

Where to Emigrate and Why - Frederick B. Goddard, Peoples Publ. Co., 1869

ROUTES FOR THE EMIGRANT, FARES, ETC.

        THE foreign emigrant, upon his arrival in this country, will probably have gold and silver money, which at present commands a premium over the paper money of the United States of from thirty to forty per cent—that is, for every dollar in gold coin he may get at any respectable broker's office one dollar and thirty or forty cents in the currency of the United States. The premium fluctuates, but is quoted daily in. the newspapers of all the large cities.

        Emigrants should be cautious in making this exchange, as well as in the purchase of railway or steamship tickets. Swindling exchange and ticket offices exist in New York, and there are plenty of bad men here, as in other large cities, who are continually seeking to defraud the inexperienced of their money.

        Having decided upon his route, it will be best for the emigrant either to buy his ticket at the ticket agency in Castle Garden, or go directly to the office of the railway by which he intends to leave New York, and after making the necessary inquiries, to purchase there a ticket through to the point nearest his destination. There is no charge for small children, and those between the ages of four and twelve years are taken at half fare.

        All railways in the United States allow the emigrant at least eighty pounds of luggage, for which no charge is made. More than this amount is generally charged for. This luggage must be contained in trunks, chests, or other convenient and usual packages.

        Furniture, &c., will not be taken, unless as freight; in which case it must be well boxed, its destination plainly marked upon it, and a receipt obtained for it at the office of the railway by which it goes forward. It is not economy to transport ordinary bulky furniture, such as bedsteads, bureaus, &c., far by rail. The freight is often as much as the cost of new articles, which can be bought in most parts of the West and South as wanted.

        Most of the great trunk or through lines run trains especially for emigrants, charging about two-thirds first-class fare. "Emigrant trains" leave New York daily on each of the great roads leading West, starting generally about seven o'clock in the evening, and connecting through to all points in the West. Emigrant cars are not as comfortable as first-class cars, and emigrant trains move more slowly than the regular passenger trains, or at about the speed of "fast freight" trains. The average time to Dunkirk by emigrant trains is twenty-five hours; to Cincinnati, two days; to Chicago, two and a half days; to St. Louis, three days; the trains stopping three times, daily, to enable the passengers to get food. An excellent and economical plan is to provide a basket and fill it with cooked provisions before leaving New York, so that in case of delay along the line the traveler need not go hungry.

        The emigrant who leaves New York for the interior by rail may choose either of the three following routes. Fares to prominent points in the West are the same upon either :—

1.-THE ERIE RAILWAY.

        This great railway extends from New York to Dunkirk, on the shores of Lake Erie, 460 miles. It runs through a pleasant country, abounding in fine scenery. It is a "wide gauge" road, the cars being wider and more comfortable than. those upon "narrow gauge " roads. At Salamanca, forty-five miles this side of Dunkirk, this road connects with the Atlantic and Great Western Railway (also wide gauge). This is a favorite route to the West, connecting at Cincinnati with the Ohio and Mississippi Railway, which stretches away to St. Louis.

        At Dunkirk the Erie Railway connects with the Lake Shore line, which skirts the southern shore of Lake Erie, and forms connections with all the railway lines penetrating the South and West.

2.-HUDSON RIVER AND NEW YORK CENTRAL.

        These two railways form a connecting line from New York City to Buffalo and Niagara Falls, connecting at Buffalo with the Lake Shore road, and at Niagara Falls with the Great Western Railway of Canada.

        The Hudson River and New York Central line is a very favorite passenger route. It passes through many leading cities of New York State, including Albany, the capital. Time and are same as by the Erie.

3.-CENTRAL NEW JERSEY AND PENNSYLVANIA CENTRAL.

        These two roads form a connecting line, without change of cars, from New York City to Pittsburg, situated in the western part of Pennsylvania, upon the Ohio River Railways connect this point with all parts of the West and South, and during the greater portion of the year passenger steamboats run down the river, forming water connections with all points upon the navigable rivers of the West and South. Passengers on these boats are entitled to meals without extra charge.

        These are the three great lines of railway travel leading West from New York City, and each of these roads run emigrant trains daily. As has been stated, the fares are generally the same upon either route, unless, as is sometimes the case, a temporary rivalry cuts down the price.

        Steamships run regularly between New York and Richmond, Savannah, Mobile, and New Orleans, and there are also lines of railway extending to those points, giving the emigrant choice between a land and water route.

        When ocean or inland water communication is available this method of travel is sometimes preferable, especially to those with large families and much luggage. The river and railroad systems of our country are so extensive that nearly every desirable point for the emigrant may be reached with very little wagon transportation. Nearly all the great railway lines are so connected that the termini of each are simply transfer points, whence the traveler may proceed without delay to his destination. Emigrants destined to any of the following States, from New York may find the following directions useful.

TO MICHIGAN.

        If to central or northern portions of the State, travelers can take either the Erie Railway, or New York Central, connecting at Niagara Falls with the Great Western Railway of Canada, for Detroit. Fare to Detroit, first-class, $16.45; second-class, or emigrant, $10.15. If to the southern or southwestern part, take Lake Shore road, at Buffalo or Dunkirk, and connect at Toledo with the Michigan Southern. This last road runs from Lake Erie to Lake Michigan, with several prominent stations along the route, whence the emigrant can find convenient access to points desired. Fare to White Pigeon, a central town on this road, first-class, $20; emigrant, $11.90.

TO ILLINOIS.

        To reach northern or western portions of this State, emigrants will go direct to Chicago, having a choice of the three great lines from New York. Fare to Chicago, first-class, $20; emigrant, $13. To reach southern Illinois, take Erie route and its connections, Atlantic and Great Western, Bellefontaine, Terre Haute and Alton, or from Cincinnati via Ohio and Mississippi Railroad. Fare to Mattoon, a central point in southern Illinois, first-class, $25.20; emigrant, $13.95; to Odin, on Ohio and Mississippi emigrant, $14.85.

TO WISCONSIN.

        Passengers desiring to reach the southern portions of Wisconsin, will proceed direct to Chicago, from whence there is a choice of routes to western, interior, and northern Wisconsin. A popular and pleasant summer route, is via the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad, crossing Lake Michigan by steamer to Milwaukee. Fare to Madison, the capital of Wisconsin, and a central point, first-class, $24.45; emigrant, $17.60.

TO IOWA.

        Direct to Chicago; thence by most direct route to the Mississippi River, taking such road as strikes nearest point in Iowa to desired destination. Fare to Dubuque, Dunleith, and Davenport, first-class, $28.50; emigrant, about $19. To Des Moines, emigrant, $23.75.

TO MINNESOTA.

        First to Chicago; thence by most direct route to the Mississippi River, where steamers pass daily, bound for St. Paul and intermediate ports; or take railroad through Wisconsin; choice of two or three routes. Fare to Austin, a river town in southern Minnesota, first-class, $35.65; emigrant, $27.80. To St. Paul, first-class, $40.85; emigrant, $33. From these points, railroads run to the interior of the State.

TO MISSOURI.

        To northern part: Take Erie or New York Central route, and connect through to Quincy, Ill., striking the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad which traverses the northern part of the State.

        To central or southern part: Take either of the three routes from New York, and connect through to St. Louis. Fare to St. Louis, first-class, $30.50; emigrant, $16.10. To Quincy, first-class, $28; emigrant, $16.30.

TO KANSAS.

        Go direct to St. Louis or Quincy; thence to St. Joseph or Kansas City, from which points easy communication can be had with Leavenworth; first-class, to Leavenworth, $39.70; emigrant, $22.85.

TO NEBRASKA.

        Best route is via Chicago, thence direct to Omaha. From this last point the great Pacific Railroad stretches nearly across the continent. Fare to Omaha, first-class, $42; emigrant, $26.80. To Kearney, first-class, $61; emigrant, $40.

TO DAKOTA.

        There is no railway extending to this Territory as yet. Emigrants will proceed to Omaha or Sioux City, and take steamboat for Yancton, the capital of Dakota.

TO COLORADO.

        By the way of Chicago, Omaha, and the Pacific Railroad, to Cheyenne, where a branch road to Denver is being constructed. Fare to Cheyenne, first-class, $80.70; emigrant, $68.70. To Denver, $92.70 for first-class; no emigrant rates at present, beyond Cheyenne.

TO ARIZONA.

        To reach this Territory travelers, at present, generally proceed to California, thence by coast steamers to Gulf of California. No rates of fare obtainable.

TO UTAH AND MONTANA.

        These Territories are reached by way of the Pacific Railroad, already extended nearly to Salt Lake City. Fare to Salt Lake, first-class, $152; emigrant, $140. From Salt Lake, emigrants for Montana proceed by private conveyance, or by stage-coach; no rates of fare can be given as reliable.

TO THE PACIFIC STATES.

        At present the most convenient and most economical route to the Pacific is by steamer, via Panama or Nicaragua, to San Francisco. Fare varies from $50 to $250, depending upon competition of rival lines. When overland railway communication is complete, rates will doubtless be more uniform and favorable for the emigrant.

TO VIRGINIA.

        Emigrants can go by water to Norfolk and Richmond for from $5 to $6, or by rail, to the same and other points, at about two-thirds first-class rates.

TO WEST VIRGINIA.

        Take Pennsylvania Central Railroad, or Baltimore and Ohio route. Fare to Wheeling, first-class, $13.50; emigrant, $8.20. To Parkersburg, first-class, $16.50; emigrant, $10.25.

TO NORTH CAROLINA.

        Travelers have a choice of land or water route, the latter most economical. Rates of fare by water are not fixed, but special advantageous contracts can at all times be made for parties traveling together.

TO GEORGIA.

        Same facilities as those last abovementioned. Steamers run regularly between New York and Savannah, connecting at latter point with interior lines of railway. Fare to Savannah, first-class, $35; to Macon, $40; emigrant tariff not established, but, as a general thing, about two-thirds first-class rates.

TO ALABAMA.

        By steamer to Mobile, or choice of several inland railroad lines. Fate to Mobile by rail, first-class, $50.50; Montgomery, $48; Decatur, emigrant, $20.10.

TO MISSISSIPPI.

        By rail to Cairo; thence down Mississippi River by steamer. Fare, first-class, to Vicksburg, $57; emigrant, $26.20. To Jackson, first-class, $48; emigrant, about $30.

TO LOUISIANA.

        Several routes are open to the traveler; all sea voyage from New York City; part rail and part river travel, via the Mississippi River, and all rail, via three or four routes. Most comfortable inland route probably by rail to Cairo, thence down the river to New Orleans. Fare by ocean route, first-class, $60; emigrant, $30; via Cairo and Mississippi River, emigrant, $27.20.

TO TEXAS.

        Travelers can go direct from New York to Galveston by steamer or sail vessel, or by inland or ocean route to New Orleans, thence by steam on the Gulf. Fare by ocean route, direct, steam, first-class, $70; emigrant, $35.

TO TENNESSEE, KENTUCKY, AND ARKANSAS.

        Take either of great railway lines to Cincinnati or Cairo, connecting at these points with steamers down the river. If the interior portions of Kentucky or Tennessee are to be reached, take railroad at Covington or Louisville, thence south to destination. Fare to Nashville, first-class, $30.50; emigrant, $19.20. To Memphis, first-class, $38.25; emigrant, $21.20. To Louisville, Ky., first-class, $23; emigrant, $13.70. To Lexington, first-class, $22.50; emigrant, $13.50. To Napoleon, Arkansas, first-class, $46.25; emigrant, 24.20. To Little Rock, first-class, $54.25; emigrant, $28.

        The reader will bear in mind that these rates of fare are subject to change, but in all probability they will be reduced rather than increased. The emigrant desiring to reach any particular point not mentioned in this chapter, can examine the general map of the United States, and by reference to rate of fare to nearest point of destination, form a tolerably correct estimate of the cost of reaching his journey's end. Cards of distances and time schedules can be obtained on all roads.

THROUGH EMIGRANT TARIFF, DECEMBER., 1868.
 

        Children under four years of age, free. Between four and twelve, half price.

EACH ADULT PASSENGER ALLOWED EIGHTY POUNDS OF LUGGAGE.

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler