Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-04-30
EAST TENNESSEE.

On the Wfng-Atheus-Cha
-CIeVeland-Chata
Calhoun = charleston RiceVille-
sWeetyVaIer - PHILADELPHIA Lou
dOn-BeauGIfut COuntry-FIeurish-
ing SchOOls-COntributi TO the
Masonic Orphans, Home.
To the Editors of the Union and American:
LoUDoN, TENN, April II, 1s71.-It
has been some time since you had line
from me, and for fear you may think l
am lost in some mountain or cove in East
Tennessee, have concluded not to remain
silent longer. left Nashville March 81
on complimentary pass on the Nash
vile and Chattanooga railroad, (the COM
pliment to the Masonic Orphans Home,
and arrived at Athens, East Tennessee,
April /, my first visit 10 this renowned
portion of our beloved State. | am OBJ
serving, and acquiring all the knowledge
can about the country and the people.
This ancient town [Athens) named sup
pose, for that more ancient ''city of
learning" is somewhat broken, topo-
graphically. 1t bears the appearance of
taste. The ladies and gentlemen assem-
bled in church look intelligent and re-
fined; the two large brick school build
ings and numerous churches, indicate
community liberal In disposition, in favor
of education and christianity. 1t is the
home of Mr.. Blizzard, the recent con-
gressional opponent of Mr.. Maynard;
also of John F. Storer, who subscribed
one hundred dollars to the Home. The
hotel, kept by Mrs. Reader, supplies you
with the best meat, biscuit, coffee, etc.,
and so homelike, that it is pleasant to
sojourn at her house. | also enjoyed the
hospitality of brother Storer's house. The
courtesies of the brethren were crafty
ing. The lodge there is to take action
in reference TO the Home at their
next meeting, and we hope will be
as liberal as all the others have, that
1 have visited since l entered
this beautiful portion of our great
State. After spending apleasant time with
the brethren, they paying my fare, re-
turned to Chattanooga where l remained
nearly week, going in and out during
the time to other points in Hamilton
county. This place, Chattanooga, presents
itself to my mind as destined to be city
of importance. tried to obtain you some
statistics of the place but was unsuccessful.
That excellent brother and hospitable
man, d. r. Grafton, took me promptly
from the hotel to his house, when his
pleasant family made it a real home to
me. l enjoyed the hospitality of other
excellent families. The Lodge donated
one thousand dollsrs $1,000 to tie
Home. D. r. Grafton, Geo. W. Rider,
r. L. Watkins, A. Hsndman and Morris
Bradt, each one hundred dollars ($100 }
The Lodge furnished the needful pene-
trate further into the mountains, which l
did Monday the 10th, passing through that
memorable missionary Ridge" where
80 many braves met each other in deadly
combat. Arrived al Cleveland the same
morning, thirty miles distant, the juno
ton of the Georgia and East Tennessee
Railroad. This beautiful town is one of
the most beautiful in the State. / have
never seen more taste displayed any
where than here, according to the
size of the place, such beautiful residences
and decoration of grounds. To any one
hunting desirable town to reside in, l
would commend Cleveland, because of
its beauty, schools, churches, refined, in
telligent citizens. The brethren gave
me hearty welcome, added to my sup
plies for a forward movement, and
gave an endorsement to the great Masonic
enterprise, the ''MasOnic Orphans
Home" by voting donation of one
thousand dollars. My next point was
Chatats, O small railroad town six miles
from Cleveland, on Little Chstata creek,
where | spent day and night; met
Chatata Lodge, new and small one,
only twenty-One members, amount of
donation, $500. Of this neighborhood
can say as much as can for any one it
has been my privilege to visit. 1t has
several stores, two churches, and another
about to be erected. The whisky shop
that was established there was disc0ntin-
ued, because there was not man in the
town or surrounding neighborhood to pa
tronize it. The academy, one mile from
the depot, deserves special notice. 1t is
situated in a gap leading from one rich
valley to another, Chatata creek with its
pure, gushing water, passing in front. 1t
is large two-story building, fenced with
palings, curved walks and shrubbery,
surrounded by beautiful young grove
outside the enclosure, large boarding
house near by; on one side the grounds
several double-roOmed houses, with chin
MES, for young men. Prof. Cate and
three other teachers Zone of them of mu-
sic) are employed, with 125 pupils in at,
tendance. All the branches of useful
education are taught. 1t is conducted on
a plan, that young men, depending upon
themselves, or with small means, can OBJ
tain an education. About two months
work will pay expenses at the academy
for ten months. Scholars of the county
enter tuition free; bos!d, 81 per week;
those residing out of the county pay half
price, 5000 per session, board as others.
Young men of small means desiring an
education form mess of four and occu-
by one of these rooms before mentioned,
supply and cook for themselves at cost
of $40 per session, thus furnishing a first |
class school 80 cheap that none can COM
plain. Messrs. Editors, does not such q
school deserve special mention. Such
SCHOOL and such 9 people would put to
shame all those who would detract from
them. w. A. Nelson Lodge, at Oolts-
wah, small town on the railroad, the
expected county site of the new county
of James, named for so worthy gentle
man, l must give the credit for setting
the bail in motion, by being the first to |
donate to the "Home" (that is to mel in
this division. 1t is new Lodge and
small; amount $500. This place has
a fine school and church, and just
such citizens as before described. Bro.
Green, Sheriff elect, and Dr.. Roddy, ex-
tended the hospitality of their homes
to ne.
The next point of attraction was CAL