Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-10-05
Letter from Cincinnati. Ohio.


BURNETT HOUSE, CINCINNATI, Oct l.
Here we are comfortably located until the COM
mercial Convention shall have closed its ses'
sions. Leaving Alexandria at IL noon. we ar
rived at the Relay House, some time before
the Western bound train was due, 9:l5 p H.
Knowing that considerable rain had fallen we
made digent inquiry relative to the condition
If the bridges and streams towards and al
Harper's Ferry, and from all sources could
hear nothing indicating the slightest danger
Made easy by this news I took berth in the
sleeping car, and went on westward bound orthls
point, via Parkersburg. About mile or so
on this side of Harper's Ferry, the train slack
ened and finally came to halt. Not being
asleep. cot up and went out to the rear plat
form, when [ behed sight not soon to be Tor,
gotten. I beckoned to man standing near ana
asked him if the river was not unusually hlgh'
and ne said that the canal and river were no"
one, and that houses were being swept by from
the town with people in them, and that things
looked equally bad about the bridge. My hfSt
impulse was to awake my fellow travellers, and
did, those in the berth next to me. On con-
sultation they not agreeing with me, 1t was de-
cided to leave it to the officers in charge OF the
train whose duty it was. The train proceeded
cautiously on and across the bridge, which was
still out of the water, though not much: Once
across We could see the imperiled condition OF
| the dcnizens of that i'll fated town, that we're
then, many of them, in helpless condition.
surrounded by q wild waste of angry waves
Suffice it to say that We rem aimed not long IN
the contemplation of ii. The shrl shrek OF
| the locomotive was heard above the sound OF
rushing waters, and on we thundered just the
same as if there was nothing ahead that could
resist our impetous career. Ii the bridge
had given away, l doubt if one would
have been left to have told the tale OF our loss.
Not until We reached Parkersburg could learn
the extent of the damage and loss OF lite OF tue
| ill.starred people OF Harper's Ferry, who have
suffered alike from the ravages OF John
Browns raid, war, famine, and now flood. "F*
Cincinnati the proud Queen city OF the Vest
| is determined to merit by every means the title
of Queen" | will only have space to cnume.
rate what's going on, and what's on the tapis
| for the next month.
The Industrial fair is attracting thousands
| of visitors from all points, besides there is o
special delegation from four Southern States,
| that are being feasted and toasted in the most
approved style, by the Cincinnati merchants.
| 1t seems that nothing is Left undonc to honor
these three hundred Southern representatives.
| They leave by special train Monday evening,
! just in time to give room for the now arriving
! delegates to the Southern Commercial Conven-
| ton, which commences its session on the 4th
inst understand that the good people of
this hospitablc place have In store some OF
their supply of hospitality for the members Of
the Commercial Convention. Soon alter this,
| fho | ~ nof0 tS hn
ton Of the "Prison Discipline 1mpro vers, I"
it will be perhaps the most Interesting meeting
| of the kind ever held in this country. Seven
| Governors of States, and many delegates even
from foreign countries will be in attendance.
| Governor Hays anticipates great good from The
enlightened discussion of this truly humanltarl-
an and heretofore much neglected subject. Alter
this, on the Goth, comes the convention of
Capitol movers, who are hunting up delegates
to make big pow WOW about moving the
Capitol, thing not viewed as possible even
out here, amongst this people of big ideas, who
seem to grasp and even attain to everything
| possible in their way. Some one has shrcwdly
suggested that it has been gotten up by the
spectators to abate the price OF property 10
| Washington, so as TO get all they want at an
exceedingly low figure, before the rise that
must soon follow the completion of the Wash
| iDgton and Ohio, and other railroads that are
now pointing 10 that direction. That your
point on the Potomac at the head Of naviga.
ton, nearest the Atlantic Seaboard will soon
be one of great commercial Importance to the
people of this country, is in my mind settled
question, and the sharp ones are aware Of it.
Moreover, am satisfied that this enterprise,
the Washington and Ohio Railroad, will have
efficient hackers for its completion as soon as
the corporators of the road can possibly want
that assistance needlul for its extension to Gin.
cnnatl. What day will it be for US when
this grand project, headed by native Alex
andrian (Lewis McKenzie) will be accomplish
| ed Visions OF haTbor white with sails and
an atmosphere filled with the smoke from in.
Vulnerable steamers and factories, fit across
the aglnation, which | am sure will not be
all dream. know many will say let il come
quickly, and so it will, much more so than many
grumbers are willing to admit. The Capitol
movers are welcome to succeed if wee too can
but successfully conduct this great Western
artery to our doors, and with it the commerce
of dozen young empires, that will then be
tributary to it. Four years ago the writer com
menced laundering with the quill (that mighty
instrument) for the pushing of this road as a
main Western road, and advanced the now re-
ceived opinion that Western roads were main
roads, and Northern and Southern ones, sim.
ply feeders. If he will succeed with his Inf
netesemal' contribution in assisting to speedy
completion of this much desired enterprise, he
will be as richly repaid as the men of capital
who will build it.
After the feasts of conventions Of various
kinds, on the lst and ID OF November there
will be feast of reason and flow of soul, in
the way of a convention of the Free Religious
| Association, of which the ESQ. caed") Rev.
Octavius B. rockingham, Of New York, is
Oh the coats of the guests of the CITY, nor cards
required -admittance free. This will be the
finale of 80 days sport, long before which time,
| hope to be again in the quiet old town. Fl.
Letter from LOudoun.
Correspondence Of the Alexandria Gazette.
LEEsBURG, Va, Oct. 3.-The storm which
has done SO much damage in the Valley was