The author presents this little book to the public, with a consciousness of its many imperfections, but yet with a belief that it will prove an agreeable companion in a journey over the railway. He claims for the work no literary merit. The vast field which it covers, and the short time spent in its compilation, has only enabled him to connect together a moiety of the material, gathered from innumerable sources, without bestowing labor upon its artistic finish, When it is recollected that many of the towns through which we pass are without their written history, and that all information in regard to them must be obtained from musty documents, imperfect records and oral testimony, the reader can in some degree appreciate the labor of compiling such a book, and, in charity, overlook its unavoidable faults. The entire ground covered by the work, has been travelled over by the writer, and as carefully surveyed as time and circumstances would admit; and everything of general interest has been embodied with as much detail as space would allow.
In such a work as this it could not be expected that the author should give credit for every item of intelligence, or extract given, as the sources are so numerous, that notes would consume much of the space. He has endeavored to select the most reliable authorities, and to make the book correct in every particular. It would be a pleasure to acknowledge, in detail, the kindnesses received from the railroad officers and conductors, from the newspaper press, and from individuals in the towns along the route, many of whom made personal sacrifices to assist in the collection of material, but as the recital of the names alone would require a page or two, it would appear too much like ostentation. They all have the heartiest thanks of the author, who will recollect with gratitude their favors.
