Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1870-03-11
THE ExCuRsIoNIsTs


| official Inspection of the Nashville
and Northwestern Railroad.
| To the Editors Of the Union and Americas: as.
As announced in your issue of the Sth
inst, an excursion party over the Nash
vile and Northwestern Railroad, left the
Chattanooga depot at 2:90 the previous
evening. The excursion train was under
charge CT Superintendent ]. III. Thomas.
The party comprised the officers and di-
rectors of the Chattanooga and North
western roads, and number of our citi-
zens, who were invited to make the trip
with them. m
When equipped and ready to ''steam
out" the train was supplied by our
| thoughtful Superintendent with all that
was necessary, in the wayof edibles, etc,
TO render the party as perfectly at home
as if safely ensconced in the Maxwell
House; and very agreeably did he act
'tMine Host" The coffee was splendid,
and ELECTED the praise of all in our cooks
favor. "Andy's" car was, at intervals,
the center of attraction, and we fully
demonstrated our appreciation of the
preparation in this department. Attached,
LII tic ACCOMMODATIONS III
were the refitted and finely finished s'pal-
ace sleeping cars, manufactured by Pull
man, Kimball & Ramsey, and palaces they
are, indeed, that kings might enjoy with
the most perfect satisfaction.
A shrill whistlel the train moves off,
and soon our backs were turned upon the
Rock City. We proceeded slowly, the
better to allow the officers to inspect,
carefully the track. AS before stated the
object of the visit was one of review by
the officers, who contemplate certain i'm
provements that need to be made at once.
Those familiar with railroad matters in
Tennessee are fully aware Of the difficult
ties under which this road has labOred.
The lease of the road to the Chattanooga
Company for six years, was confirmed by
the Legislature in December, since that
time the inclemency of the weather has
impeded, somewhat, the progress of the
work. Now that the spring is opened, a
large force is employed upon the different
portions of the road, and already the
effect is visible. A number Of new ties
have been laid, and all along the line of
the way large heaps of them are to be
seen, now ready for use. In two months
the aspect of the track will be entirely
remodeled, and its condition greatly i'm
proved. 1t is the expressed intention of
the present management to make this,
second to no road in the State. New trains
arc to be put in operation soon, and nearly
the whole of the rolling stock is new.
The party was lively, our quarters
Y,looconf and oil y,DrroI ,oarr;lxy
Nothing transpired to mar the pleasure of
the occasion until when in about mile
of Harpeth Mills the front truck of the
rear car ran off the track. This occurred
at an abrupt curve in the road. The first
intimation we had of the ''Offn was a
humping on the cross-ties that excited, @
little, those aboard, and caused a
stampede for the door. One old gentle
man, whose age and experience one would
have thought sufficient to retain his equi-
librium under any circumstances, was in
the act of precipitating himself from the
car window when the strong grasp of
friend by him prevented, what would pos
sibly have resulted to him, broken limb
and bruised head. The train was soon
brought to a halt. The damage was
slight, but the car was left in charge of
the section hands, and we moved on.
We arrived at Dickson about O'Clock,
when we laid over for the night. Here
we had some acquisitions to our number
of railroad officials, and the next morning
at an early hour we were again on our
way. Vocal illusions, jokes, good cigars
and enlivened conversation were the order
of the day and freely INDUCED in.
At Johnsonville, the home of Hon. ID.
B. Thomas, he left us, to enjoy after an
absence of many months the "sweets of
a home"
We passed Camden a little after noon.
This is the home of Hon. w. F. Doherty,
the delegate to the Convention from Ben
ton and Humphreys. He was one of the
oldest delegates in that body. Next we
passed Huntingdon where resides DR.. w.
M. Wright one of the youngest delegates
of the Convention. After lively run we
came to Dresden where we saw Senator
Etheridge, who assured our crowd if they
would call to see him on our return we
would find him, Cincinnatus-like, at the
pillow in the field. Just beyond Dresden
we came TO Gardeners Station, the home
of Col. w. p Caldwell, of the House o &
Representatives, and of his father-in-law,
Col. John A. Gardner, delegate TO the
Convention from Weakley county.
At several places we observed large
quantities of King Cotton ready to be
shipped to market. The country through
which the road passes is finely timbered,
and affords abundant material TO repair
| the woodwork of the road.
About 81 o'clock p. m. we arrived safe
| ly at Hickman, KY, the terminus of the
Northwestern road, and situated immedi-
ately upon the bank of the broad, rolling
Mississippi. Before we left we saw the
usually smooth surface of the Father
of Waters" ploughed by some of the
largest and most magnificent steamers
that ply upon that "inland sea-" The
next morning the "Pay Car" or the
travelling home of Mr.. Y. D. Flippin, was
was attached to the train. This car is
new, just out of the Chattanooga shops.
For design and execution it shows tho
skill Of its architects to be superior.
Our mission being now fulfilled, We
turned our faces hOmeward Excep
the stoppage of the train at Hollow Rocl
for few minutes, to allow the party t.
examine that great natural curiosity
nothing occurred worthy of special no
tice. This is said to be the only rOcl
visible in the section of country west o
the Tennessee river. If th1e are others
they are buried in the bowels of the earth
The excursion throughout was a yer.
pleasant affair, and all returned to GU
duties again remembering the courtesie
of the managers, and hoping we ma,
some day have similar recreation from
the confined limits of the city.