Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-06-14
THE SAGINAW VALLEY.
Southern and Western Editors on the
Wing-A Hearty Welcome from
the Michiganders.
Brief Review of a Most Interesting
and Charming Trip.
SAFE RETURN BY WAY OF NAM.
MOTH CAVE.
Pleasant RecOlIetiOns of the Trip
Summed Up.

est to many Southern tourists who ma
be ready to take their annual departur
for cooler and healthier climes. Herr
tofore the Southern people have though
that trip to that attractive and pre-
gressive, part of the world known q
North Michigan, lying on the shores
Lake Huron, necessarily involved eli
cuitous pilgrimage by way Of Chicago
or the more eastern and tortuous rout
| by way OF Sandusky, Toledo and Detroit
But this idea has been put to figh
by the opening of central rallroa'
through route connecting Louisville ant
| Cincinnati directly with the city of Sagi
nav, which oGtrivals Duluth, and II
one of the most enterprising as well al
hospitable places in the country. Thu
region has had no direct connection
with the Ohio river, and was supposed
by the refined people of the outside
world to be inhabited by race of wood
choppers, hunters and salt-boilers, who
afforded fine opening for missionary
efforts. How we have to change oul
opinions often, and feel like asking
others to do the same, may be inferred
from the pleasant surprise enjoyed on
this trip, at finding ourselves, as South
ern men, welcomed with unstinted libe-
rality by communities of highly edu-
Gated, refined and prosperous people;
and how we made not only acquaint-
ances but friends worthy to be claimed
and remembered assuch with pride and
pleasure, are matters which none can
doubt who read this feeble description of
our reception and entertainment.
But to be practical and consecutive the
long journey will be mentioned section
by section. The first division, to Louis
vile from Memphis, is well known to
most of the readers of this journal
The road bed is in splendid condition,
and the facilities and comforts Of travel
ing were never before so near perfect.
The middle division, from Paris to Bowl
ing Green, is now as fine piece Of road
as can be found in the South. This
marked improvement is due to the skill
full efforts of Colonel Robert Meek, the
very efficient Superintendent in charge.
It is no depression to allude to him here
as not only one Of the best railroad men
of the day, but as thorough gentleman
who faithfully does his part in the excel
lent management of the company. The
traveller has a choice of two routes at
Louisville to reach Munice, railroad
crossing some fifty miles northeast Of
indianapolis, which may be considered |
the fair starting point for Saginaw. One
is by way of the Jacksonville and In
railroad; the other by way Of
Cincinnati, Lexington aud Louisville
" Short Line" to Cincinnati; thence
through on a direct line by way Of
Munice. 1t should always be remem-
bered that Colonel Sidney B. Jones, who
has ever been so kind to Memphians and
other Southern people, is the General
Ticket Agent of the Short Line"
From Muniee the line is unbroken to
Fort Wayne, place already mentioned
in a communication written for these
columns.
L. was Wednesday, the 18th instant,
that our party continued forward from
the latter named city, Saginawward. In
numbers we were much more formidable
than the previous day Fort Wayne was
well represented. Judge Lowry, ac-
eompanied by his excellent wife and
charming daughter miss Anna, joined
us and continued of the party until our
return. Their presence added greatly to
the charm Of the three days spent among
such agreeable strangers. Another gen
tleman, whose name and presence will
not soon be forgotten, was Mr.. W. B.
Walter, Democrat of the strictest sect
"a rebel, we might say, whose words, if
uttered down South, would be disloyal.
He was highly entertaining, and made
a happy impression on all he met.
We we're all under charge Of General
P. B. LOOMS and f. A. Webster, Esq,
leading citizens Of Jackson, Michigan,
who had come down to escort us across
the line. A large committee Of citizens,
including Mayor Noyes and other city
officials, met us at the depot with car
riages to convey the party about the
Central City. We soon found ourselves
assembled at the elegant residence Of
General LOOMS, where refreshments
we're served, champagne turned loose,
and some fine oratory uncorked.
Thence the excursionists were carried
through the beautiful park Of Mr.. Web
ster, who is very wealthy aud is said TO
own about one-half Of Jackson. He is
preparing to build a superb residence
on his grounds which will not cost less
than one and half millions Of dollars.
1t is thought he can get along conforta-
bly, in this house for several years to come.
Afterward the visitors witnessed an ex-
hibition Of the power Of the Holly
Water Works, which was something new
to some Of us. Then dinner was had at
the Hibbard House, and a spendid din
ner it was. General LOOMS delivered