Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-09-22
Gorrtspon0emtf.
FROM G. F. cLARKsoN.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Sept. @. 1854.

DEAR AMERrcAN:-Yo our hot and
weary old friend has the pleasure of
addressing you from the seat Of Gov
ernment of Tennessee. We took the
stage at Louisville, on Wednesday
morning at 81 O'Clock, and with l8
passengers in and on small coach,
after Al hours, without stopping ex-
ceeding Is minutes day or night, we
arrived here all alive ON Thursday
night. And WIZ is cat ,nishing every
one of us knew ourselves-probably
not inwardly orspiritually but we were
able personally TO distinguish ourselves
from our neighbors.
All through Kentucky, as well as
this far in Tennessee, all is parched up
with diouth. The dust about three
inches deep, and the thermometer
about 9s by day and 10 by night, and
not even passing zephyr to fan our
boiling systems. In Kentucky, in the
counties we passe d through to witt
Jefferson, Bullet, Nelson, Larue, Ma
rion; Greene, Har;, Barren, and Allen,
there will not be exceeding 10 bushels
of corn to the acre average. We re-
gret, however, that it was cur misfor-
tune to pass through the poorest por-
ton of the State. Did not our know
ledge by travelling and history, inform
us that other portions of the State
were richer and more fertile, we should
have a very contemplate opinion Of
that State. But travellers must not
Judge state by its appearance on one
Railroad Route. If they do, we
would rather that the Ohio and Mis-
sissippi Road had never been devised,
for if there be any really hard places
in the United States this side Of the
State of Maine, it can be seen, either
laying flat Oh oae end, between Auro-
ra and Seymour.
Except probably in or near Balds-
town, in KY, we did not see really
good house, and but few good farms.
And we travelled long distance thro'
land that can be purchased at one dol
lar per acre, aud hard bargain at
that. In Allen county there is land
lying along the turnpike road, heavily
timbered with oak, poplar, and ches-
nut (trees of the last class two or three
feet through which can be had for
from $ 10 SO per acre. And at the
town of Scotville, the county seat of
Allen Co.. Mr.. Malligan, who keeps
the city hotel, sold 80 acres off of his
farm, which comes up to within rs
feet of the Court House, for $1,000
or about 81 per acre. This farm,
and the part sold is in good fence, and
fine cultivation. We give these items
as prices of things where there are no
Railroads, nor likely TO be.
All the towns we passed through
look old and dilapidated, about as
Brookville in the year 1888. But the
greatest loss we felt, was want of good
water. There are but very few good
springs in this portion Of the State,
and then the water is about 10 deg.
The whole State, where we crossed it,
lays on one entire mass, OF limestone
rock, and any river, creek or ravines,
has through untold thousands of years.
cut its way down through this hard
stone. 1t is said by geologists that
the lower strata of limestone, is what
is called arched limestone. forming be-
tween it, and the next strata below,
endless cayerns, where there is an
abundance of good water. But the
rivers and ravines in the regions we
visited, have not yet cut down this
deep, and hence none of the springs
come out. They lie still lower. And
it is almost impossible to dig wells that
deep. 1t is near 500 feet to cool, per-
manent water, and that through sue
cesSive LAYERS ofsolid rock. 0fcourse,
in all these matters we rely on the
best sources of infoi nation to be had
along the ole, r. 10y eyes.
The old fashioned mill for grinding
corn is still retained in Kentdcky-the
horse mill. And we find corn bread
on all the tables, aud in many cases
no other kind. Nor is it spoiled with
any of the late improvements in cook
ing-it is the plain article-made of
coarse meal and cistern water. There
is vast more simplicity in their mode
of living in southern Kentucky than
most people imagine who always live
at home. And it appears as if this
people were heading the day when
syronical fashion shall introduce clean
beds and table-cloths. The fact is. if
people would only cimplify matters it
isnot much trouble to live. 1t really
only takes corn bread and meat, and a
straw bed, a checked shirt, pantaloons