The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-07-11

After four hours hard driving, we found
ourselves on LeatheTwood Greek, about eigh-
teen miles from Columbia, and about as hun
CRY as moItals could be and continue to traV-
ell together. So any friend suggested that we
treat "DeaeOn Jones' THAT same colt s U
''stump- suck err to fence rail, take drinks
ard call for dinner. After waiting short
time, we were invited by Mrs. Meadows o
the table, and we sat round aud did justice to
that dinner. Just here, let me remark that if
you ever travel that road, stop at this place
for dinner. She can put up more eatableS,
and in shorter time, and do it better than
any body else, except, of course, our wives, Tin
prospect).
deacon Jones" having disposed of few
rails, we started, and after i've hours of tie
hottest and most perilous journey, and over
the rockiest road this side of the Alps, we ar
rived at our destination, 'Bon Aqua Springs"
thirty-two miles by land, and by rocks four
hundred and thirty-two and half miles and
thirteen poles. However, with a good horse
and some encouragement in the shape of a
brick, man ought to make the trip by Santa
Fe and Undertook in six hours. We took
rooms and put Ut for the night, nat Yenturina
to be criticised until morning. Morning
came, and we were delighted with the situa-
ton; indeed, agreeably surprised. We can
not imagine a locality more suitable for a
watering place than Bon Aqua, with clear
trout stream meandering, etc, near the source
keep drinks, also two handsome billiard Ia
bleS and GOOD ten pan alleys, all run by tbs
Jolly DeaH. About hundred yards down the
stream you strike the springs, seven or eight
in Dumber and in close proximity. Several
kinds of sulphur, chalybeate, arseaic--which
the ladies use very freely--and an excellent
freestone spring. Near this is the "bloWing
cave" which coos soE az G|ee ,he cToquet
grounds, fifty yards of. Fifty yards farther
down the stream, you gee small cabin lean
ing upon the side of large sadde-colorei
something, which You see at once is Rufe and
his shop. They are both indispensable; in
deed, they could not possibly get along with
out Rufe: he is everywhere and does every
thing. From this point it is sixty or seventy
yards down stream to the dining room, which
lies with the stream, east and west. Now this
dining-roOIl is prOdigious affair, sixty feet
by thirty, with a few flea and other things,
but upon the whole it is well kept. The ia
BILE is beautifully supplied with good whole
some food, spring chickens and "txins," and
plenty of 1t. Walters are numerous and at
tentive. Thirty or forty feet west of this par
adise for hungry travellers, you find the balls
room, which Is spacious, and fesounds with
the imposing music of Hifl's Band, of Nashs
vile, every evening. Attached to the west
end of this building are some sleeping rooms.
The cottages form square on the hillside
all neat houses, set in rows, and connected
with porch in front. Resides the cottage,
forming the square, th6re are Eo rows of
good cottages On top Of The hill. This is the
entire Situation, except the chicken coops and
the stables, which are further down the
stream.
We were very kindly treated. The proprie
tor, Mr.. Robertson, was obligiEg, and the stock
holders showed Is, as we thought, marked
attention, but we afterwards learned that
they treated everybody that way. We had
the pleasure of meeting quite g pumhep of
interesting ladies, Col. Geo. Gant's family
old Columbians, by the way. The Colonel
himself was professionally engaged in Mem
phis, but the management of affairs was ih
good hands. Also Mrs. W. and her three
interesting daughters. Also she accomplish
ed aud queenly Mrs. s., and quite a number
Of others. And last, but not least, little
Blanche aud Lucy, two of the prettiest and
most interesting children we have ever met
We are not naturally fond of children, but
these we could not resist. We hope to meet
them again In after life, if they don't get to be
firts. 1t would be impossible for any one to
leave Bon Aqua willingly, and We think we
will find ourselves back before the season is
over. ToBY.