New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-01-25
Mobile Railroad - The KOnte-NIr
Gaines.

One Of the Missouri editorial excursion
ISIS writes as follows from New Orleans TO
the St. Louis Dispatch:
Leaving the bulk of the excursonists to
go down the bay on a trip, some seven OF
eight of IFS came over Saturday TO New Or
leans. The others came over the next dav.
l must say few words about the ra;lroa..
across from Mobile here. II is remarkably
we'll built, well equipped and well Offered
road, and passes over very interesting
and historical region. Astounding in much
to attract and instruct the traveller and
this, notwithstanding it is fat and monet
onous much Of the way. G. 7. Benedict,
the Superintendent, resident at Mobile. al
though a young man. is an old railroader.
having served the Vermont Central for
above nine years in various capacities. il
each proving himself worthy to take a step
higher. Frank Harvell, the conductor OF
the train that brought us over, was for u.
long time conductor on the Ohio and Mis-
sissippi Railroad, east of Vincenncs, and
has proved himself, both there and here,
able to think right and promptly when in
tight place. We saw this quality tested
by an incident Of our trip that might have
proved serious, but for the promptneSs with
which the right thing was done at tie right
time.
Various points of interest to the traveller
might he lwelt upon sOmewhat-the old
settlements OF PlacGueminp, Biloxi, MisSis-
sippi City, Bay st. Louis, Fort Pike. the old
battle ground Of Calumet, etc. brief
notice OF each Of which would swell this
letter out OF newspaper proportions. Be
sides, such descriptions need to be paint ed
with master hand in order to arrest arten-
ton, and / don't claim any skill in that
direction. The best descriptions only con
yey a partial idea, and the best way is to
come and see.
Since we came to New Orleans, on gong
into the parlor one evening l saw ii group Of
ladies and gentlemen sitting, in the midst Of
which was a small woman with sharp cut
features, holding the attention OF those
about her in sprightly and animated con-
VersatlOn. She was a remarkable look ng
woman. Who is that little woman talking
there ! Don't You know her, That is Mrs
Gaines.
She was talking about her celebrated
claim, one wing OF which involving prop
erty in this city to the amount Of fifty nil
lion dollars. had just been decided against
her. She said II have been called upon
to-day by numerous friends, who desired to
express their sympathy; but, dear ne. |
don't want any sympathy With pleasant
animation" Do | look like a subiec. for
sympathyl" And then she broke ont in a
clear, ringing laugh. why, l have been
lighting for thirty-tour years for my rights;
above IA hundred lawyers have been en-
ployed against me; of these, seven have
committed suicide. and several others drank
themselves to death. My heavenly Father
has spared me and kept me in good health.
and here l am at sixty-fOur. as JOYOUS as
when in my teens" And then she broke
out again into that undesirable laugh,
hearty and joyful.
Then she went into discussion OF the
case, the law, decisions of courts, of com
missioners, reports of committees Of Con
gress etc. She epitomiZed the whole case
with an eloquent vivacity, a terseness and
compactness Of argument that would win
renown for any lawyer in the land. She
cOnfesses to sixty four years of age, though
she docs not look above forty five; says she
expects to live to be one hundred and
twenty. She goes about the street much
on foot, walking with a quick, elastic step;
dresses in good taste; evidently enjoys life
as She finds it, aud from long association
rendered happy by the years of litigation
that would have proved the death Of most
any other woman in America. Your CORE
epondent, together with several of the fra
ternity, were introduced to her. and spent
a pleasant hour with one of the most re-
'markable women of the age. s