The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1858-05-12
tFor the Lancaster Ledger.]
COLUMBIA, S. C., May 4. 1858.

On Saturday | left Lancaster for this
place. for the purpose of attending the
meeting Of the Palmetto Association.
found that the late frost had done more in
jury to vegetation in the vicinity Of Cam.
den than in the ncighborhood of Lancaster.
] stopped at the Mansion House. kept by
our friend MIR Robinson. took some re-
frrshmrnts and then made my way for the
X. X. Depot nj Camden, which ] reached
in time TO get aboard of the one o'clock
train for Columbia. We passed with con-
siderable speed through n well cultivated
portion of country. The crops are some
what backward, yet could see the new
growth Of young corn in the distant view,
and the cotton held-, which are numerous
and large, are all planted in The most regular
| order.
We reached kiugville in good time, bu.
was there delayed, sometime.in consrq qucnce
of changing cars. Finally, we got aboard
of the Columbia train, and with almos,
| lightning speed reached Columbia at 6 o.
clock, p. m, pretty well worried out. HOW.
ever, after applying to n Barber to clear our
physiogomv and n change of linen and a
good supper, we felt very much revived.
The next thing then was TO see the great
California Bear. suppose that all rcrol-
lect the big Bear story, with which the pa
pers were filled with last winter. That
monster of the forest, our eyes have seen.
His actual weight is said TO be 1888 lbs,
when standing, is Al feet higf, measures I
feet around the neck and seven feet arou nd
the body and Ia inches between the eyes.
We returned to our lodgings at the Con-
garee House and retired for the night, and
slept soundly, without being interrupted
by dreams of the monster Bruin.
The next morning visited the new State
House which is in process Of erection. The
building is going up rapidly and when fin
ished will be one of the most magnificent
structures in the U. s. The large stone of
which the walls are built, are raised By
means Of windlcss, pulley, block and tackle;
got up in the most scientific manner. Many
persons would be well paid to visit Colum-
bia to look at this fine structure of art
Sunday passed off quietly, for think that
all business ceases in Columbia on that
day ; did not see business door open in
| the course Of the day.
On the night Of the Sd, n large audience
assembled in Atheneum Hall, to hear a lee
ture on the past, present and future OF
Mexico. Tho lecturer was Hon. Waddy
Thompson. lie is fine speaker and his
discourse was edfying.
On this evening General John A. Quitman
vas expected to arrive in the o'clock train,
and every nook and corner about the de
pot was crowded with people Of all ranks,
color, size and sect, and even clamberng
up on each other TO get a sight Of the old
hero. The Columbia Artillery took its sta
ton some two or three hundred yards DC
low the Depot Of the s. c. Road, and as
the great man approached. salutes were fir.
ed. When the hero reached the depot he
was met by the Committee Of lhe Associa.
ton. Capt. Stanly, as chairman, gave him
cordial welcome, and which was clothed
in beautiful language. At the conclusion
Of Capt Stanley's address, General Quit
man, was cheered by the THOUSANDS that
were waiting to see him land, and after the
usual sulutaiion, he was escorted through
the dense crowd to an open carriage drawn
by four fine blood bay horses, which had
been provided for the purpose, and were
drawn through Richardson street around to