From Charleston we went to Thomasville, Georgia, where we spent a week, during which time the Doctor preached and lectured twice at nearby places.  It was here that we met the first accident of our journey.  Just as we were steaming into Thomasville we ran into a train ahead, and there was some loss of life and great damage.  Fortunately we were in the last Pullman car of the train.  I have always believed that the shock of this accident was the beginning of the end for Dr. Talmage.  He showed no fear, and he gave every assistance possible to others; but, in the tension of the moment, in his own self-restraint for the sake of others, I think that he overtaxed his strength more than he realised.  I never wanted to see a train again, and begged the Doctor to let us remain in Thomasville the rest of our lives.  The next morning, however, Dr. Talmage started out on a preaching engagement in the neighbourhood by train, but we remained behind.  Our stay in Thomasville was made very enjoyable by the relatives of Senator Hanna, whose beautiful estates were a series of landscape pictures I shall always remember.  Although the Doctor was obliged to be away on lecturing engagements three times during the week he enjoyed the drives about Thomasville with us while he was there.  Our destination after leaving Thomasville was New Orleans, where Dr. Talmage was received as if he had been a national character.  He was welcomed by a distinguished deputation with the utmost cordiality. The Christian Herald said of this occasion:  “When he went on the following Sunday to the First Presbyterian Church he found a great multitude assembled, the large building densely packed within and a much vaster gathering out of doors unable to obtain admittance.  Thousands went away disappointed.  He spoke with even more than usual force and conviction.”  Never were we more royally entertained or feted than we were here.  From New Orleans we went to San Antonio, where we stopped off for two or three days’ sight-seeing.  The Doctor was urged to preach and lecture while he was there; but he excused himself on the ground of a previous engagement, promising, however, to lecture in San Antonio on his return trip to Washington.

On our way from San Antonio to the City of Mexico our train ran into one of the sand-storms, for which the Mexican country is famous at certain times of the year; and we were at a standstill on a side track at a small station for twenty-four hours.  The food was execrable, the wind and sand were choking, and the whole experience trying in the extreme.  We were warned against thieves of the neighbourhood, and, during the night we were locked in the cars to ensure the safety of our belongings.  In spite of these precautions a shawl which the Doctor valued, because it had been presented to him by the citizens of Melbourne, Australia, was stolen during the night through an open window.  They were not bashful those thieves of the sandstorm.  From a private car attached to the rear of our train they stole a refrigerator bodily off the platform.