The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-12-03
What a Stranger thinks of Charlotte.
A correspondent of the Raleigh Sentinel
writes as follows from this City:


CHARLOTTE, N, c., Nov. %, 1867.
Among the many errors the South has COM
mitted, it has long docket in the department
of pronunciation CHANGING to be in the same
car with the oft quoted Senator Wilson, on the
occasion of his visit to our State overheard
him ask the conductor the distance to Charlotte.
Now | had innocently pronounced it as the
tives do. But this Senator gave it twang that
made it rhyme with the Widow BeRoHe.'
1t is the county seat of the famous old county
of Mecklenburg, of Revolutionary memory. 1t
is the county that furnished President Polk.
He was born I'd Nov. 1895. and graduated at
our University in 1918. He defeated the great
Clay for the Presidency.
Charlotte is sort of Chicago, in point of
Railroading. At present it is the terminus of
three roads,-the North Carolina, the Charlotte
and South Carolina, and the Western Division
of the Wilmington, Charlotte and Rutherford.
1t is the prospective terminus of three MORE
the Statesville and Charlotte, the Eastern Divi-
sion of the Wilmington, Charlotte and Ruther-
ford, and the Air Line from Georgia.
First thing you know, they will be talking
about City Horse Car Railroad" | believe
there is not one of this class of Railroads in this
State I often wonder if one would not be sup
ported in Raleigh, from ST. Mary's, via the Cap
itol to the South end of Fayetteville street. If
such road should ever be built, | claim free
pass over it, for this suggestion.
Charlotte has the largest number of first class
store buildings at present, either finished or be-
ing built, of any place in n c., 50 far as my
knowledge goes. r. NJ. Oates & Co., Stenhouse,
Macaulay & Co. and others, have embarked in
these improvements, and now thirteen fine new
stores present themselves for public admiration,
to say nothing of a large number of old ones.
~ NJ. I I 1, L
first class Banking House, near the centre OF the
city If they surpass the house OF the old Branch
Bank of n. c., however in neatness, convent
ence or comfort, they will be good managers
[ learn through one who has paid some at
tention to it, that eghty-six houses have either
been built, rebuilt or improved considerably in
the past ninety lys.
Last year, in my Charlotte communication, |
mentioned the singular fact, that Charlotte had
no Market House. The deficiency still remains.
But scheme is on foot for building Masonic
Hall, a Town Hall and Market Hall.
Mr. John l.. Morehead is about building
block of first class stores near the centre of the
city. If the son proves to Charlotte, what his
honored father was to North Carolina, that city
may we'll be proud of his citizenship. His own
residence, although as yet unfinished, is an or
nament.
The residence of Mr. Carson would suit, in
every respect, for any city. The architecture is
of a very pleasing kind and strikes the eye most
favorably
Col. johnson, the s. c. r. r. President, is
putting up residence which will be behind few
if any dwelling houses in North Carolina 1t
will have all the improvements and conveniences
of the day. 1t is next door to the L. S. Mint
It would do credit to State much more Ter
| r,tory.
Through all the connections the country has
undergone the old z. S. Mint stands intact
1t is decidedly governmental looking piece of
architecture. The old Eagle still perches over
the doorway, but like most of the images of this
emblem of American Liberty, the fellow has
most ferocious look his head is down, as if in
the act of descending upon his prey in perfect
terror. Apropos to the SYMBOL he should be
floating freely in his native heights, as mild
dove.
The buildings are closed as Mint, although
it is said they are to be opened by the Govern
ment an Assaying Institution.
1t is in the right place for the business, for
Charlotte is surrounded with the dust, and, judy
ing from what saw in ''Deweys Bank, not
little of the precious metal finds its way to town
Charlotte supports three Banks,-the First
National" the "City Bank of Charlotte and
"Thos ". Dewey Il Co.. formerly of your city.
With the latter firm, banking is real heirloom
Mr. Ihos. Dewey is son Of the time-honored
Charles Dewey, Esq, of the old Bank of North
Carolina, and Judging from the freshness of the
banking office, and the constant stepping in and
out of mercantile men, the firm seem to be III
much favor with the Charlotte dealers. Well it
may. Mr. Dewey is ito the manor born" He
was Graded in bank. Handling money and
figuring up interest natural to hos. W.
| Dewey as teaching grammar does to VIM. Bing-
ham,
The weary traveller has no excuse for gruni-
bling for want Of good meal. good bed, and a
good landlord, in Charlotte. The Mansion
House has been repaired renovated and refur-
nished, since my last visit. 1t is now clean,
neat and we'll ordered house The Bar was not
explored not being in my line
This city possesses great attraction in its
facilities for female education. 1t is favored
with two Furnishing Colleges. Rev. Robert
BurwePs School has not a superior in this land.
1t is delightful home for young lady. 1t is
hard to suggest an improvement. The buildings
are spacious and beautiful; the grounds are
ample for all purposes of health and recreation
1t is near enough and far enough from the city
The corps of teachers is full and competent
There is an air of refinement and thoroughness
about the place that makes most delightful i'm
preston on the visitor. The proof of its appre-
citation in this section is catalogue of one hun
dred and twenty young ladies.
The other College is under the care of the
Rev. A. G. Stacy 1t is in the building former
ly occupied by Gen d. H. Hill for his military
school. The buildings and grounds are even