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Show 4 FROM FORT LEAVENWORTH of a stage- coach twice daily, and the constant presence of telegraph poles, tended to relieve to some extent those inclined to loneliness. With me it caused frequent thoughts of loved ones far away, with whom such means could speedily communicate, but from whom I must necessarily, for a long time, be separated. From Atchison, Kansas, to California, there is daily a line of stages making the entire journey in sixteen days.* To conduct this great enterprise successfully and profitably, it is necessary that there should be frequent relays of horses, accordingly there are stations all along the line, separated 10 or 12 miles, where the horses are changed, and every 40 or 50 miles is a " Home Station," where the driver changes also, to return over the same road, so that each driver in a short time becomes familiar with every part of his route. At the Home Sta tions passengers obtain their meals. The route is divided into Divisions, over each of which is a superintendent ; and at the terminus of each Division the passengers, baggage, and mails are transferred to other coaches. All the changes are made expeditiously, and but little delay occurs anywhere. Mr. Benjamin Holladay is the principal proprietor of the stage line, and is a man of remarkable energy and enterprise. I regret that my first favorable impressions of Mr. Holladay and his line did not continue. I will hereafter explain why I do not think him entitled to all the laudations which writers, who have accepted his favors, heap upon him. Along this part of the route, in addition to the Stage Stations, there are many " Ranches " for the accommoda tion of emigraHts, and also, and more particularly, for the profit of the keepers. They are generally constructed of logs and very rudely built, but most of them contain a good assortment of the more essential articles required by * Since the above was written the extension of the Pacific Railroad, west ward, along the Platte river, has made Omaha the eastern terminus of the Cal ifornia overland route, instead of Atchison j and passengers already have the monotony of the journey broken by several hundred miles ride in the cars. |