The problem here is that the St. Louis, Vandalia and Terre Haute
Railroad was not complete until 1870. The only line east of St. Louis,
that I know of, was the Ohio and Mississippi, completed in 1857. It
will take some untangling of railroad history to determine what the
actual lines were at the time of Sam's travel back to St. Louis but I
think there were connections between Columbus and Cincinnati, probably
through Dayton. A northern route does not appear to be possible.
On 4/9/22 21:45, Peter Clark wrote:
> Thanks to Scott for his comments regarding Sam's railroad trip back to
> Saint Louis from New York in 1854. Yes, Sam almost certainly would have
> taken the Pennsylvania Railroad to Pittsburgh, however after a bit of
> follow-up research, I don't believe that he took the Ohio and Mississippi
> Railroad from Cincinnati on the last leg of the trip. instead, I believe
> that he took the
> *Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad*, commonly called
> the *Pan Handle Route:*
>
> https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh,_Cincinnati,_Chicago_and_St._Louis_Railroad
> )
> https://www.hookedtobooks.com/funny-mark-twain-quotes/
> The information in the Wikipedia article appears to be somewhat
> contradictory. However, it appears clear that Sam's path from Pittsburg
> went through Columbus. From there, we can't really be sure based on the
> information it supplies whether he went to Cincinnatti at all on that trip.
> The map in the Wikipedia article indicates that the more direct route to
> Indianapolis had been completed. However, the article equivocates about
> when it was completed. From the standpoint of my story, it doesn't really
> matter either way, as Sam continued through without stopping... however it
> would be nice to know!
> I came across a reference previously that Sam paid $23.50 for the trip.
> Regarding the relative price between coach and sleeper cars, this is
> what Wild West Magazine says:
> Passenger train travel during the 1880s generally cost *two or three
> cents per mile*. Transcontinental (New York to San Francisco) ticket rates
> as of June 1870 were $136 for first class in a Pullman sleeping car, $110
> for second class and $65 for third, or “emigrant,” class seats on a bench.Jun
> 25, 2018
>
> Thanks again for your help!
> Peter
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