Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-09-25
OUR FIRST TRIP TO THE NORTH


OUR FIRST TRIP TO THE NORTH.
Almost thirty-one years have elapsed
since the writer first saw the light Of
day, which event transpired in that part
of the Volunteer State" designated
Middle Tennessee. The place of our
birth, near Nashville, was as far north
as we had ever been, although we had
long felt desire to visit Gods coun-
try" We expressed that desire to our
esteemed employer, and at his sugges-
ton we decided to make flying trip,
and on Sunday, TIE 18th, took seat in
one of the palace sleeping cars attached
to train which left on the Memphis and
Louisville railroad at l2:45 pm. that
day, and were for the first time on our
way to visit the Falls and Queen cities.
Being of a social turn, we looked about
us for some face of genial appearance
that ave might make the acquaintance OF
pleasant travelling companion. We
had not long to search. Turning
from the window our eyes met those OF a
joll y-looking gentleman just opposite,
ho, no doubt, was indulging in the same
wish with ourselves. A mutual good
day, sir" was followed by an exchange
of cards. and we were introduced to
Colonel Il. M. Featherstone, travelling
agent for the extensive tobacco commits
sion house of Martin & johnson, l66
Water street, New York. In the course
of all our travels we have never met a
more good-natured, whole-souled, clever
gentleman than Colonel Featherstone.
We met several gentlemen of our ac'
quaintance on the train: Captain +. ID.
Cobb, agent of the great Baltimore and
Ohio railroad, who, in company with
his family, were visiting the North
Mr.. Bernard Bowling senior mem
Der of the firm of Bernard
Bowling & Co., cotton merchants of our
city; Captain p. M. Patterson, whom
everybody knows as gentleman in the
true spirit of the term, owner OF one oi
our largest transfer lines, and also oi
the steam ferry packet, Captain Pat
ters on was on visit to his family, who
have spent the summer near Trezevani
Station, about one hundred miles out on
the Memphis and Louisville railroad
Several other gentlemen, whose names
we do not now remember, composed our
party, and Jolly time we had of it until
night approached, and with it feelings ol
drowsiness, occasioned by the varied
scenes as the train flew past farms,
through forests, across ravines, the situa-
ton ever changing; our eyelids became
heavy, and as the night advanced, our
berth being arranged, we laid. ourselves
down and were soon lost in oblivion.
When we awoke in the morning the
conductor informed us that some time
had been lost during the night, owing to
an unavoidable accident to the engine,
which delayed our arrival in Louisville
some two hours after the usual time.
Our party, including Colonel Feather
stone, Mr.. Bowling, Captain Cobb and
family, and ourself, took omnibuses for
the Louisville Hotel, which, by the way,
is one of the finest in that or any other
city, offering superior inducements to
travellers. The rooms are magnificent,
and the table comforts all that could be
desired.
Spending few hours in Louisville,
we visited some of the most interesting
places, including the paper mill of A..
| V. Dupont & Co. We were shown
through the establishment by Mr..
B. DUPONT, superintendent. Being our
first experience in the mode of making
paper, we were highly interested, and
gave strict attention to the explanations
rendered by our gentlemanly conductor
No one who has not seen the process of
paper-making would imagine the vast
amount of machinery and other appli-
ances necessary in such an establish
ment. We went through the whole pro
cess, from the huge pile of rags in the
front to the immense quantity OF fine
white paper in the rear.
After seeing the paper-mill, we bid Mr..
DUPONT goodbye, and took our way up
Main street to the offices of the Louis
vile and Cincinnati Short Line railroad
and the Mail Line of elegant steamers
which ply between those cities. 1t re-
auired some time for US TO decide which
route to take to Cincinnati, TO
which city we proposed to go that
evening. We finally concluded to
take the Short Line, and after
roaming around for an hour or two,
proceeded to the depot located on the
corner of Brooks and Jefferson streets,
almost in the center of the city, and
very convenient to all the different ho-
tells. At 4:l5 pm. we left on one of the
lightning trains of this road, and we're,
for the first time, bound for Cincinnati.
Arriving at the Louisville Fair Grounds,
about FIVE miles from the depot, we got
out of the car and asked permission of
the engineer, Mr.. w. C. Il. Shalloross,
10 take seat with him on his engine,
that we might be the better enabled to
see the road over which we were to pass.
Permission was kindly granted, and we
acknowledge ourself indebted to Mr.
Shallcross for some of the most pleasant
travelling experience Of our life. He
pointed out the prominent features along
the road, and kindly gave us information
which proved quite interesting. We
have been accustomed to ride on rail-
roads ever since our city was blessed
with one, we have been over the Mem
phis and Louisville, Little Rock, Mem
phis and Charleston and the Mississippi
and Tennessee railroads, all Of which
are excellent and make good time, but
they. nor neither of them, can ever hope
to compete in point of speed to trains
on the Louisville and Cincinnati Short
Line. Ifthere is any road in the United
States over which better time is made,
we would ask to be excused from travel