Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-11-20
A Hurried Trip to Wilmington.

The editor of the Wadesboro' Argus was
in our town few days ago, and here is
what he says of his trip on that occasion
Last Thursday afternoon we started from
this place, on hurried run to Wilmingt ton,
taking the stage hence for Rockingham,
and the next morning at O'Clock, taking
the cars at Rockingham for Wilmington,
at which point we arrived, as per schedule,
at o'clock 2. III.
At Rockingham we found considerable
hustle and life, large force being engaged
on the track in giving it the finishing
touches at that point, and erecting depot
buildings. Sc. We also saw indications Of
the progress making in pushing the track
this way. The trestle work over Factory
Pond appeared to US nearly, if not quite,
finished.
The track, throughout its whole distance,
We found in excellent condition and we'll
ballasted and the cars on it, for passen-
gers, as neat and comfortable as on any
road. The amount Of travel and freight
appeared to be quite full, but the latter
not quite SO full as we think it might be if
our citizens and merchants on this side Of
the river would patronize the road more
freely than they do.
On our way from Riverside to Whining
ton, on the steamer, we had an excellent
opportunity to see something of the oper-
ations in the construction of the bridge
which, after a while, is to be used by the
W., G. e r. and w. & M. Companies in
carrying their cars directly into WilmiDg-
ton. A foundation has at last been found
for the cylinder that has given the con-
he has been operating nearly all the past
been made in sinking another. Three of
these cylinders altogether are required on
th Is part of the river, we think, in carry
ing out the plan Of the construction OF the
bridge. Across the river flats the trestle
work is all completed.
At Wilmington we gave our friends of
the Journal and Str "pop CALL" and
found them apparently in excellent keep
ing, and quite cheerful, Notwithstanding
the news of our Presidential defeat.
Business at Wilmington, from what We
could learn, appears TO have been, and still
continues to be, qnite dull-intelest il the
Presidential contest having overshado9cd
everything else.
At night on orr way to the hotel, we ran
foul of a Republican torch light procession
"a jubiiee-oyer the election OF Grant,
1t was composed mainly of negroes Of all
filled the street, through which it was pass
ing, from house to house. Each of those
in the middle of the line had "turpen-
tine torch" and what, with the glare of
the yellow lights and smoke, and the yell
ing, bowling, hurrahing, and "scretch-
ing " of the processioners, with their
countenances distorted into every conceiv-
able shape in the effort to make g noise,
we thought we had stumbled upon a small
piece Of "hell broke loose" It was an
awful sight to look upon. No doubt the
few whites who engineered the thing found
great consolation in it.
Having no business to detain US in Will
mington, the next morning Saturday we
took the route for home, arriving here at
9p.m.
For any one up this way, who wants to
take O. short run from home, who wishes to
get sniff" of sea breeze and have
pleasant time OF it, our railroad offers
most excellent opportunity. We have no
doubt the road after while will be SO pat
ronized. And we should like to see it.