The Daily Nashville true Whig. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1851-1855, 1855-09-24
Correspondence Of the Nashville True Wing.
Extracts from "Bob's Log Book"
On BOARD s. B. SALLIE WEsT,
NL,r1,herLsrll6 Riner. Sent. IL. 1855.

Cumberland River, Sept. IL, 1885
EDITOR True WING Tuesday, in the ''twink-
ling Of an eye," m? "duds," consisting of three
shirts, were packed and safely deposited on the
SaHie West, and about o'clock found myself
snugy enscouced in No. Q, enroute for St. Louis
Arriving early this morning at Vanleers iron land
ing, known as Bettstown, we laid.by and took on
iron all day. About ~ o'clock we received an IN
vitation, in company with the Captain, from the
hand of Davy, one of Afica's Oldest sons, and the
proprietor of the ARCADE, to dine with him; : of
course we accepted, and soon found ourself seated
in one of the Oldest and most Anticipated log CABINS
on the Cumberland, with an abundance OF squirrel,
served up in Darys best style, spread before u.s. 1t
was not only good, but excellent, and was reished
far more than the many dainty dishes daily served
ND at the fashionable hotels. Dagy stood by, and
with 'sgourdn would serve US alternately with
water. We left this place about shutdown, after
putting on $50 tons pig iron. Arriving at Clarks-
vile we added lot of -four, destined for New Or
leans, aud other freight, to our list Arriving at
Canton, -four and tobacco for New Orleans, were
added to our load. Arriving at Tennessee Iron
Works we increased our freight list some 30 or 40
tons, with manufactured iron destined for st. Louis
and Vicksburg Arriving at Dycusburg in the night,
VIC experienced disappointment and some difficulty
from darkness; the "gas in the lamps" having gone
out, made it difficult to find the city, and the rain
during the day rendered the levee impossible for
the shipment of freight, which had accumulated
largely, amounting to about 800 sacks of wheat
The keeper of the Wood Yard on the SaLLie antici-
pating run in business at this point made prepare
tons accordingly, but on arriving no one coming
aboard, he quietly replaced the corks and placidly
remarked that he presumed the people "had all
gone to the Theatre" We passed Smthand and
Paducah about daylight the former, what is left, is
still at the mouth of the Cumberland, and is gOr'
fying herself to think that the hat.boats loaded
with salt and destined for Nashville, still stop there,
while the latter is pressing forward to further i'm
portance.
On meeting the celebrated steamer Jacob Hunter,
serious accident happened-she got her whistle
valve up and was unable to get it down-the result
was total loss of all steam, and the pilot hand to
land her. The only impeachment in her speed she
has to contend with is she has to stop to escape.
Sept live arrived at Cairo early this morn
ing. and remained some two hours in discharging
freight. 1t has improved very much since last we
saw it-still there is room for further Improvement
The terminus and completion Of the Illinois Central
Railroad, "a fact which is not generally KNOWN at
this point, has caused quite stir among mechanics
and commoton in the speculative world. The ID
cilties for re-shpment of freight at this point are
good. Messrs. FowLER& NORTON having the larg
est new and complete wharf-boat on the Western
waters, are prepared to accommodate the public in
an admirable manner and at reasonable prices. We
spent few minutes sup in town." and the most
notable feature we could see WAS the immense herd
of cows perambulating the streets, parks and ave
,ues, each one having huge bell suspended from
the neck, producing one of the most discordant
sounds that ever fell upon the ears of mortal man.
These bells we learn were introduced originally by
the editor of the Delta for the purpose of forming
brass band for serenadng but the project, by con-
sent of the original ameteurs-the JtrogS-having
been discontinued they now used as prevent.
i've to the great and prevailing complaint in that
place-MosquitOe bills.
Leaving Cairo for St. Louis early in the day, we
took seat in the piothouse and looked at the river
and adjacent country till we were tired-the former
is devoid of beauty while the latter presents but one
low monotonous appearance for many miles, The
river is interspersed with islands, sand bars snags
and the fossil remains of steamboats,; the channel
constantly changing thus rendering navigation diff
icult and dangerous, particularly at night. Toglve
you some little idea of the rapid change in the
channel, the following will serve to show-the
steamer Genoa left St. Louis, June %, 1855, loaded
with government supplies for Fort Pierre. She
arrived at Fort Leavenworth July 2nd-proceeded
on her way the same day and reached Council Bluffs
on the It'll At this place she found the river falling
very fast, and had her first 'sparring" to do few
miles above Omaha and as they passed this place a
few days since, on their way down, they found a
fine crop Of grass growing on the same spot they
spared over going up, the channel having changed
to the other side of the river during their absence.
From Cairo to st. Louis, on the Illinois side Of
the river, the most important towns are, Thebes,
Liberty, Chester, Kaskaska, IA few miles from the
river and Harrisonburg Two or three fine -four
ing mills are situated at Chester On the Missouri
side, are commerce, cape OrdFueau, OeIna, anu d.
Genevie, the latter being about 65 miles below St.
Louis, and at a point where the continuous high
bank or bluffs commence that side of the river,
and which extend to the city. Many things of in-
terest are to be seen on these bluffs, such the
relics of old shot towers, built at an early day, and
placed on the his hest point of precpce, in order
to get the ongest possible fall" for the melted lead
in the manufacture of shot.
st. Genevie, though small, presents fine appear
ance from the river, many of her colleges and pub
lie houses occupying prominent places, aud situated
on high and commanding sites. 1t is indeed, an
important point-iron lead, and marble, in large
quantities, are readily obtained, of superior texture
and quality, and shipped to various portions OF the
Union.
Cape Girardeau also stands deservedly high for
her numerous colleges and schools, and fine Touring
mills though not a large place. Selma is very
important shipping point for large scope OF coun'
try contiguous thereto.
Before proceeding further, wish to Inform your