Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1858-1860, 1859-07-06
N A S III " HI f. ::
WEDNESDAY MORNING, JULY 6, 1853

The EXCURSION ON THE MINNEToNKA.-
Very pleasant and very gay, and long to be
remembered by many, was the gallant Hook
AND LADDER CouPANY's Fourth ofJaly Ex-s
cursion down the Cumberland on the 6ase-
to'sEa. Our reporter intended to sketch its
merry incidents, DC, lengthily, but press
Of other matters compels him to be brief.
Every preparation necessary to ensure the
comfort and enjoyment of the excursionists
was made by the active and energetic Commit
tee Of Arrangements, Mesers. W Ii FUNSTON,
(Chairman), w. DAVIS, W. N. FLETCHER, C.
J. EARLY, j. KESNELLY, II. OSBORN. and NJ.
FoIox; and at about half past 10 O'Clock in
the morning, the company, consisting of two
or three hundred ladies and gentlemen, hav-
ing been marshalled aboard, the bell rang
and the Minnetonka showed off and glided
down the stream. Ere the winding of the
river had shut out the spires of the city from
the view. SwEESEF's fine band of musicians
produced their instruments. aud with the
inimitable SWEENEY himself mounted alOft as
the generalissimo of the occasion. the girls
and boys fell into position. and the cabin
floor of the Mumetolka shook beneath the
pattering of sIippered feet and the clatter of
booted heels.
The dancing was kept up without Interrupt
ton until the boat landed near a pleasant
grove in Cheatham comfy, twenty eight or
thirty miles below the city by the course OF
the river. Here suitable place was chosen
for & braudance, a quantity OF sawdust was
carried up from the boat. the ground hastily
carJ,eted Herewith, aud the dancing was re-
sumed under green trees and clear skies.
Late in Ire afternoon dinner was annOunc-
ed, and the company returned the boat and
9 down to asumptuous rep sst. ] he. sun was
not far above the western hills when the last
knife and folk was laid Down, and after stroll
along the green banks of the river by many
of the company the bell sounded retreat.
.sall aboard p cri, d the Captain, and the Nm
,gletonku turned her prov up stream, her upper
decks crowded with the merry party, all for
the time enjoying the beautiful scenery
and the cool breezes that swept along the
clear waters Of the river. Darkness at last
yelled from view the craggy cliff, the wood
ed hills, and verdant fields, and the cabin
IT.
having been lighted up. the dancing began
once more, and was kept up till the boat
reached the city at III o'clock.
Thus ended the excursion, without an acct
dent of any kind. Every member of the Com
mittee of Arrangements exerted himself to
make the excursion pleasant to all. And
here our reporter would return his thanks t.
Capt FUNSTON of the Hook AID LADDER Con-
PANY. and Chairman Of the Committee, and
Mr.. DAVIS, and others. for the many courte-
sizes he received at their hands.
Tue Manetonka acquitted herself nobly
Strong and substantially put together are th
timbers of her decks, or they must have yield
ed to the TONS of living freight they had t.
bear last Monday. We need not say a word
in praise oil her gallant commander. Captain
JACK DAsHIEIL, nor of her chief clerk TON
BELL for to do 50 would be but to gid re-
fined gold or to paint the lily.
We must not forget to mention that among
the distinguished strangers" on board, was
Captain JAS MILLER, of the b. M Rl1tyd1a' ~
Long may our Hook AND LADDER COMPANY
wave, and may they spend each coming Fourth
as pleasantly as they did the last.