FROM THE THOUSAND ISLANDS—PART TWO

Steamer Algerian on St. Lawrence.

The Cortland Democrat, Friday, July 31, 1891.

FROM THE THOUSAND ISLANDS—PART TWO.

Things Worth Seeing in Montreal—Magnificent Churches— Pointers for Excursionists.

MONTREAL, P. Q., July 27, 1891.

   Prior to landing from the steamer Algerian last evening the "baggageman" had made a tour of the boat, notifying the passengers to claim baggage and be in readiness to receive the custom officer—small hand grip passing unmolested, unless checked—but trunks taken on at United States ports are subjected to an airing. If, however, this functionary so decides, your baggage goes into bond and you may obtain it later on and at much annoyance and some expense before the reel of red tape has been unrolled in conformity to the letter of the law. Occasionally there is a piece of states' baggage which does not [tarry] for examination but promptly accompanies its owner to his or her hotel or other destination; but such are supposed to be the exception for the Canadians are decidedly strict, as omissions are reported if detected and dereliction of duty in this climate means nothing short of a vacancy.

   Montreal is a city, the history of which is full of eventful interest and dates back to 1535, when Jacques Cartier first set foot on the shores of the Indian village, then called Hochelaga.

   Being conducted to the summit of the high elevation of land to the northward from which a magnificent view of the country for fully fifty miles around is afforded, filling the soul with awe and gratification [sic]. After the ascent was made, Cartier was so impressed with the gratification of the view that he named the elevation in honor of his king, "Mont-Real," now Mount Royal, from which the city of Montreal obtained its name.

   Aside from obtaining views of the surrounding country, little attention was given to this village of the red man until in 1611, when Champlain left Quebec for Hochelaga for the purpose of establishing a trading post and testing the fertility of the soil. Numerous conferences were held with the Huron and Algonquin tribes of Indians, and in 1640 a society styled the "La Campagnie de Montreal" was formed in Paris, France, for the promotion of religion in the colony—thirty wealthy persons forming the society. May 17, 1642, Ville Marie, a beautiful plot of ground near the foot of the Mountain was solemnly consecrated as a burial place. In 1663 this company sold their rights to the "Seminary of Montreal," who held control from this date until 1760, when the fall of Quebec left Montreal the last station of French power in the American continent only for a brief period. Just where the final surrender to the British was made is unauthentic, but the majority maintain that the articles of surrender were signed at the Chateau de Vaudreuil on Notre Dame street.

   Montreal to-day is an imposing city. Her massive cut native greystone and Ohio lime stone buildings are marvels of solidity and beauty. Over 250 miles of streets paved with cubes of stone, wood and asphalt are kept as clean as are side walks in the states, an army of men being employed constantly sweeping and removing animal excrement or other litter from the surface. The city is laid out in the form of a parallelogram, principal streets running nearly east and west, while cross streets and lanes extend north from the wharves. That portion of the city out toward the mountain has been more modernly constructed, appearing quite America like, with its asphalt paving and broad streets.

   Numerous public squares filled with fountains, statuary, flowers and chairs, [render] a tour of the city delightful. Principal among them being the Champ de Mars—the military parade grounds—situate [sic] on Dalhousie square, Craig street; Mountain port, Cartier square, ornamented with two guns from Sevastopol and a statue of Lord Nelson stands at the head, erected in 1808. Victoria is situate at the head of McGill street.

Basilique Notre Dame (recent photo)

   To visit this city and not view the magnificent interior of the scores of churches is considered not to have seen the city. St. Gabriel's, Presbyterian, is the oldest Protestant church in Montreal and is the mother church of the Scotch people. With the exception of the Cathedral in Mexico, the church of Notre Dame, on a street bearing the same name, is the most imposing structure erected for Divine worship on the American continent. Its foundations were laid in 1672 and completed in 1678. In 1823 the building now occupying the site was begun, being opened for public worship June 15, 1829, the mammoth pile of masonry is a reproduction of its namesake in Paris. A tower, 227 feet high rises from the east and west sides and support a chime of eleven bells whose purity of tone is unrivaled. Each bell is named. The "Gros Bourbon" in the western tower weighs 24,780 pounds, is six feet high, measuring eight feet, seven inches at its mouth. The church proper is 220 feet in length, 69 feet wide—exclusive of the side aisles which are 25 1/2 feet wide, the height of the auditorium is 80 feet. Seating capacity regular, 12,000 people, while with extra chairs 15,000 can be seated. The walls of this structure are five feet thick. The interior is simply grand.
   Christ's church on St. Catherine street is a gem of Gothic architecture. Both are Catholic churches. St Paul and St. Andrews are Presbyterian. The Methodists, Congregationalists, Unitarian and other denominations have handsome buildings, while the Israelites have two synagogues. The church of Gesu is a Jesuit. St. Peter's church (Catholic) extends from Dorchester to Laganchetiere street near Dominion square and though used for past decades, is yet unfinished, workmen being at present engaged in erecting walls on the former street. A mammoth cupola or dome graces this structure and can be seen from a long distance outside the city—it is after the [style] of its namesake in Rome only [one-half] the dimensions of the latter.

   Educational advantages are afforded at [McGill] college, near Mount Royal; St. [Mary’s] college on Bleury street, or Mont[real] college, both Roman Catholic institutions.

   A French Normal school is situate [sic] End; a Catholic commercial college off St. Catherine street, and many [others].

   [?] and mechanics are carefully nour [sic] out of door sports and recreation is the inclination of the resident of Montreal. Clubs and societies abound here without number.

   In 1805 the business history of this city received great impetus by the arrival of the Grand Trunk railway, the Allen line of ocean steamers and the Lachine canal. A visit to the wharves should not be omitted—the aggregate length of which is 4.57 miles, two-thirds of which accommodates vessels drawing 25 feet of water.

   Like all St. Lawrence towns the water supply is taken from the river above the city and conveyed to the huge reservoir, on the side of the mountain, the dimensions being 810x377x24 feet, cut out of solid rock. Residents, fire system and others are supplied from this store house.

   Hotels are without number, but American tourists stop at either St. Lawrence Hall on St. James street (nearly centrally located for general sight seeing) or the Windsor on Dorchester street. The former being from $2.50 per day upwards, and a short distance from boat or the Grand Trunk depot.

   The Post-office, Bonsecours market, Court House, Custom House, City Hall, Com. exchange, Y. M. C. A. building, Bank and other public structures should be seen to be appreciated.

   The pleasantest way to do Montreal is to take boat at Alexandria Bay and return by G. T. R. R. to Brockville, leaving the city at 8:35 P. M., reaching Brockville at 12:40 A. M. to the Bay, where you are landed at 10:30 A. M.

   Regular tariff rates for cabs can be obtained at the hotel office, and if "cabby" over charges, his customers report his number at the office and his license is taken from him. The Canadian is after the $ much fiercer than the states' cab driver.

   Noticing that a second excursion to Alexandria Bay is to be run in August by the E. C. & N. railroad, for the benefit of the DEMOCRAT subscribers and borrowers, I give a few pointers on procuring tickets at Cornwall Brothers general agency at the Bay, viz: Be American i.e., First everywhere.
   Be sure to get your Montreal tickets by boat to return by rail to Brockville, it only takes ten minutes to make out the Canadian form, but you escape the tedious delay in being let through the series of fifty-four locks in the canal. As you enter the boat you are required to exchange No. 1 of your three tickets for a boat ticket before you can pass into the cabin or on deck; in a crowd it is essential to be first at the purser's window. Secure seats in the forward deck, the view is more pleasant. Be prompt, the boats or trains wait for no one. So arrange as to leave your Canadian money in the province. They take American money and give you Canadian change every time. Trust no one and keep your eyes open. On the railroad your first-class passage ticket is taken up on the first round of the "ticket man" who marks the number of your alighting station on a strip of cardboard with the number of persons for whom you have paid, and placing the card in your hat, if a man, or window frame, if a lady, disturbs you no further until just before your destination is reached when he gathers up the little card. No newsboys disturb your quietude. No freight or express is received after 1 P. M. Saturdays, and no trains or boats start from provincial towns on Sunday. Shops and nearly all stores close at 1. P. M., Saturday, remaining so until Monday.

   Users of tobacco should carry a liberal supply from their native towns as "plug" is the only brand on sale along the river, while the most of the cigars are not in accord with American taste.

   Returning from Alexandria Bay to Cortland is a rapid ride from 7 A. M. to Clayton: board the Utica train at 8:30, change at Philadelphia and Richland Junction; one hour at Camden and you are rolled into Cortland at 3:45. From experience the E. C. & N. people are deserving of patronage.

Grand Excursion.

   There will be a grand excursion to the Thousand Islands over the D. L. & W. R. R., via. Oswego and steamer down the lake and beautiful St. Lawrence, from all stations between Marathon and Jamesville inclusive, August 11. Tickets good for 10 days, round trip only $4.00. For particulars see bills, or address C. A. Brooks, Marathon, N. Y.

DROWNED IN TULLY LAKE.

Neil Fox of Preble, Sinks Out of Sight in the Presence of His Companions.

(From the Syracuse Standard, July 27.)

   Neil Fox, a son of David Fox, a farmer residing in the town of Preble, was drowned in one of the Tully lakes at about 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon. Neil Fox was about 18 years old, and with a company of other boys of about his own age went to the lake to go in bathing. The boys had considerable sport for a time and finally all save young Fox concluded to leave the water. They did so, and were sitting on the shore dressing, when suddenly Fox threw up his hands and went down under the surface. It was a long time before he appeared again, and those on the bank became alarmed, When Fox did again come up he seemed to have no control of his body, and again began to sink.

   Those on the shore who had not yet dressed jumped into the lake again, and after some trouble succeeded in getting the body of Fox to the land. Life was not yet extinct, and Dr. J. H. Dwinell, coroner's physician, was summoned. Every means that could be suggested was resorted to by the physician to save life, but resuscitation was impossible. The body was taken to the home of Fox's father in Preble. As the coroner's physician attended the case, an inquest is deemed unnecessary.

Accident at the Fair Grounds.

   Tuesday morning Mr. Benson H. Wheeler of Wheeler avenue, and Charles Rowe of the Park hotel, were discussing the relative merits of their respective horses and approximate value, presumably with the view of exchanging. Finally both parties repaired to the track to test the running qualities of the animals. At the word "go" the white-faced Kentucky runner owned by Mr. Wheeler, quickly left Charles in his wake. Upon arriving near the north entrance to the track Wheeler's horse voluntarily made a break for the opening, running into the 4x4 rail which penetrated the animal's body nearly three feet. Mr. Wheeler was violently thrown to the ground but soon rose and was around when the horse was killed to relieve its suffering.

   Late in the afternoon Mr. Wheeler was attacked with severe pains along his right side. Dr Julia H. Spaulding was called. No broken bones were found but a general concussion of the entire system had resulted from the throwing of Mr. Wheeler against a tree. The Dr. expresses hope of Mr. Wheeler being out within a week.