Dayton daily empire. [volume] (Dayton [Ohio]) 1850-1865, 1860-02-23
MAGNOLIA CorrAGE,
JACKSON, Mas. Feb. 10, go

packet NAlchez. Capt. Leathers, one Of the best
boats in the lower trade. We were told, how
ever, that Oapt. Leathers is building the largest
and most magnificent boat on the Mississippi
with eight boilers, which be will take com
mand Of on The LIST of May. 1t took us about
fifteen hours to travel from Waterproof go
miles) to Yicksburgh, in consequence Of havs
ing to land at plantations and towns every few
miles, Fare 81, and no better can be had any
where: l ordered all the odd dishes, ,--among
others, "Gumbo." This was a soup composed
Of oysters, crabs, and-I don't know what else.
For deserts we had puddings, jellies, cakes,
pine apples, bananas, oranges figs, &C., DC.
There were not many passengers on board, and
they were principally young planters who had
been taking pleasure excursion 10 New Or
leans. The price Of cotton, negroes and mules
appeared TO be the most interesting theme Of
conversation. The colored gentlemen aud
cotton seem to be increasing III value, but
mules are rather dull. The weather was damp,
rainy aud quite cool Negro men, and some
| times negro women, could be seeu ploughing
or clearing off the cotton stalks at every plan,
taIion. New plantations are being opened all
along the coast, and it is evident that the coun,
try is improving rapidly
After crossing the river perhaps thirty times,
and landing, we finally reached vicksbursh
about p. IN, and were conducted to the
Prentiss House, hotel that has seen its best
days, but is still kept by clever gentleman
M'Macken's Washington House, we were af,
terwards told, is the right place 10 stop at.--
Vicksburgh contains about 4UOO inhabitants
aud is situated on Sd ohickasaw Bluffs, wi hich
rises about 300 feet above the river, and its gas
lights gave Il most imposing appearance on
the dark night we landed. The river is quite
narrow, and is said TO be "bottomless" in front
of the city. A large trade in cotton, grocer,
les and hardware is here carried on the build
ings are, many Of them, very large and hand
some, new ones are being constructed and evin
dences of thrift and prosperity everywhere
meet the eye. The three newspapers, Whig,
Sun, and Citizen are doing a good business
and are all we'll conducted. M. Shannon, the
Proprietor of the Wing, has very fine Office
and is a native of Southern Ohio, who emigra
ted to Vicksburgh in 1928, where he has been
very usefully employed ever since Publishing
newspapers.
On Tuesday, p. M, we took passage on
the cars for Jackson, seat Of government of Miss
sissippi. The three cars in our train were not
crowded and we had an Irish Conductor, the
first we have seen Of that nation, acting in
that capacity. Among the passengers was
Madame Gibbs, a millionaire, with her family
from Lake Pontchartrain. She is fine
healthy looking lady of about 35 who has her
third husband. The road was much better
than expected as was told the tressle work
was dangerous to cross over. On the contrary
we found it very secure. The 30 miles of this
road, to Jackson, has been evidently construcS
ted at great expense, as it passes through
billy country where deep excavations and
great deal of tressle work were required.
AT this place, jackson, We fortunately found
excellent quarters with Mr.. Daniel, Of the Mag
nolia House, who keeps neat, retired COTTAGE
surrounded with msgnoias and other ever.
greens, which give it a very rural and pleasant
and appearance. His fare is excellent, and be-
ing near the rail road, nearly all the passengers
stop here, although they have a very good Hotel,
there, the Bowman House, well kept up town.
Among our guests is young Mr.. Vermylia, OF
Dayton, who is protecting the houses of this
country Of magnificent thunder storms, from
lightning. He is doing good business, likes
the South and enjoys excellent health.
Having TO remain here two or three days we
had an opportunity of viewing the State House,
PeniteDtiary, churches, school houses, store
houses. printing Offices and other prominent
places. The State House cost $3.50 600 and
is bulls Of brick, succeed. The officers ave
in the first story, aud the d als for the Senate,
House Of Reps, and U. S. aud High Court and
State Library, in the upper story 1t hand
some building but its walls are cracking, owing
to a defective foundation. The Legislative
Chambers are very well furnished and we'll arS
ranged. Two large cannon are posted in front,
trophies Of Gen. Quitman at Alyarado, one of
which is very old, some 300 years, inscribed
with the coat of arms Of old Spain.
Jackson contains about 1000 inhabitants, is
well supplied with churches and schools and
has very social, moral refined and iuteli>
gent population. The Baptist. Episcopal
Presbyterian, Methodist. Christian aud Catho-
lie Churches are all good buildings, and nine
schools are well conducted Twenty three law
yers and nine physicians located here and
several mechanics. The manufacture Of cotton
cloth and yarn is carried on at the Pearl river
mills and at the Penitenliary. There are ten
dry good stores and ten groceries and nine
merchant tailors. besides JEWELERS. 'drng and
book stores, DC.
We took look at the interior Of the Penis
tentiary and found the prisoners remarkably
we'll cared for. They are nearly all engaged in
spinning or weaving cotton fabrics and have
the privilege Of conversing with one another.
A few are employed in the manufacture OF ce-
dar ware and all are well clothed and have
light employment The whole number inear>
cersted is 1872, a great many Of whom
were imprisoned for selling the negroes free
passes, or forgery. One fellow, highway
men had 40 iron collar on his neck and he was
most powerful vicious looking man. He had
attempted to make his escape. Prisoners in
this Penitentiary fare better than in any other
We have visited.
The country and country seats around Jacks
son as we'll as on the rail road to Jackson is
very beautiful. The spring flowers are in bloom
aud to-day it is as warm it as 1t usually is in
Dayton on the first Of June.
The newspapers here consisting Of the Mis-
sississippi Eagle of the South, Mississippi
Baptist, temperance paper. have good circus
l.ega .k.,sN Nha h