Wilmington journal., 1869-07-16
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
gpnrkHimW Caaayvba Springs--CaGawba
COunty-RaiIrORd Travei-ExcuTsion.
tSc <Se
SPARKLING CATAwBA SPRISGs,
Jnly 10Th, 1869.

ed term" than to leave the heat and dust
and labors of the city for the inviting re-
pose which awaits one at this delightful
resort. The change is greater and more
pleasant than can easily be imagined nor
can it be attributed altogether TO the free
dom from extreme heat aud snfocatlng
dust, or yet to the necessary repose which
the mind as we'll as the body occasionly
requires ,Yhere is something here which
contributes to the comforts of ones steep,
which canDot be accredited to the absence
Of mosquitoes Or even to the differences OF
temperature which invigorates the body,
and prepares ono for the heat of the sun
at noon day. There is an elasticity In the
air which makes us feel capable of violent
physical exercise in the midst Of the Sum-
mer solstice.
| find, after sn absence of two years, a
delightful sameness in everything about
the Catawba. Since then what change
has taken place in North Carolina for the
worse How sadly have her material inter
ests been sacrificed; how her good name
has become & reproach. But the evil in
fuences of these things have not penetra-
ted into this retreat The same cooling
shades and murmuring waterfalls comfort
you the fountain of health flows and spar
kles as freely as formerly the baths are
as refreshing, the old water wheel, which
supplies them turns as lazily, the music
of the band is as fine, the cOzy cottages
nesting among the magnificent oaks, and
! the imposing castle upon the brow of the
hill, are inviting as ever. Above all, the
same welcome and cheer greets the guests
from the urbane Proprietor. Catawba
Springs have not changed, or if at all, for
the better. There has been indeed some
reconstruction here, but conducted under
different auspices, it has met with happier
results than those attending similar efforts
in behalf of the State.
But then these Springs are in the very
heart of Catawba county, than which there
| is not more Conservative county in the
State. Under the control of its own citi-
zens, its people uncontaminated by the
dishonest and corrupting adventurers, the
trail of the serpent of Radicalism has not
blighted the social, political and material
fowerets which bloom in this Conservative
Eden. I learn thatthe county is entirely free
from debt, with surplus in the Treasury,
and that there has not been citizen of the
county to go into bankruptcy. This in
deed is saying great deal. The people
are foi the most part poor, land where in
the South are they otherwise J but they
are Industrious and frugal, and hate Rad
icalism as the devil does holy water.
The company at the Sparkling Catawba
Springs is collecting earlier than usual
There are now some forty Or fifty guests,
while many more have secured rooms and
will arrive during the present week. I
found Wilmington already well represented
among the visitors, who are in search OF
health and pleasure. Colonel Wyatt is
looking for goodly crowd from our city,
and he will do all in his power to con-
tribute TO their comfort and pleasure. 81
Families from Raleigh, Goldsboro', Char
lotte, Greensboro and other places in and
out of the State, will occupy many of the
cabins and the rooms of the two hotels, -
With ample accommodations for three hun
dred guests, none need fear of not finding
good quarters upon their arrival.
There are several invalids here, and [ am
glad to say that there has already been much
improvement in their condition. The effect
Of the waters seem to be magical upon
many Of The diseases which battle the skill
Of the physician and gradually wear out
the system IT. is wonderful that waters
which taste so slightly pf the medicinal
qualities with which they a,e impregnated
have such wonderful effect upon animate
and inanimate nature. When | WAS last
here Colonel Wyatt had just curbed bis
White Sulphur Springs with slabs of mar
ble, and covered the bottom with heauti-
ful white pebbles 1t gave pleasing
effect to the sparkling waters which bub-
bled up and filed this basin of spotlcss
white. But now the slabs and pebbles are
discolored, and coated with ugly but rich
deposits of sulphur aud iron. While
giving visible evidence of the value of the
W6G6IS IL uOSS uOS hltl uuucH ~ VIC lOOhS vi
the Spring.
For the benefit of such families from the
eastern part of the State as intend to visit
the Sparkling Catawba during the sum
mer, l will state that they had better leave
home SO as to strike the trains which leave
[ Goldsboro' on the afternoons of Tuesday
! and Thursday of each week. There is 6
daily train on the Western North Caroline
! Railroad Sunday excepted), but only or
Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings
, does it make close connection with the
: North Carolina Railroad at Salisbury Or
the alternate mornings, for some good rea
son known to the officials, the train does
not leave until 6, while you reach Sails
? bury little after O'Clock. There could
not be more uncomfortable delay or at
{ more unreasonable hour. The time is toe
short to seek repose at hotel, and entirely
too long to wander about the depot, with
loRs e.