Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1874-07-31

correspondence OF the buetn
A Few Things from Many Places.
LoNGMEADow House, II. l. July, IA.
We went from New York to Prov
idence in the Steamer Frances, but
there is nothing remarkable about
the Frances but her moderation. All
the other boats passed us, even the
little tugs, and some of the canal
boat captains looked as though they
would not run from challenge to a
race OH the Sound. When one is
not in hurry let him go in the Fran
ces, for the appointments are good,
and we had an excellent supper at
moderate rates on the European plan.
The steward of the boat is most ro-
tund individual, with frank counte-
nance that incites confidence; and
wanting to speak to somebody and
not daring to invade the august pres
encc of the captain, we attacked the
fat and trolicsome steward, who re-
ceived our advances in the same
spirit as they were made. An event
full life has the steward experienced.
He has been on all kinds OF craft on
seas and sounds, lakes and rivers,
CULTS and bayous, and has met and
survived all the perils that steamboats,
have power to put man UNDER
wrecked on coral reefs, snagged in
the currents Of the Mississippi, foun-
dered in the gulf, run on the rocks of
a dangerous coast, caught in YES
sci on fire, blown up by an explosion,
and last but not least, he was on the
Metis of the Neptune line, which was
lost last year off Watch Hill, having
survived a terrific gale to be destroy
ed by collision with a miserable
sloop. His account of the disaster
was better than that published. They
felt the shock but did not regard it
as dangerous. Another steamer hail
ed, and the captain said all was right
and no assistance was needed; so
they laid down for another nap, and
the other steamer put off into dark
ness. When beyond the reach of
sound or signal, word passed that the
Nets was sinking. They got out
the life-preservers, and dashed the
cork mattresses together and arrang-
ed them for the women to get away
on, but the poor things stood and
looked at them, pronounced them
dangerous and utterly refused to try
them. Not woman could be per-
suaded or scoldcd into trying them,
and they all persisted. The steward,
weighing two hundred and eighty,
floatcd on one six hours, was then
picked up and survives yet to tell
the story and encounter other perils.
If a steward can tell such adventures
we could not help asking ourselves
what must be the tale Of a captain!
But we did not get at the captain,
and must leave him to the reader for
a pumping when he chances to tray
81 on the Frances.
The Frances brought us safe to
Rhode Island. We came to Rhode
Island to get cool. The State is SO
small that it cools off readily after a
warm spell, and we find its breezes
most delicious. On some of the
maps the State is indicated by a dot
or point, and to the inhabitants and
visitors it is more specifically known
as Rocky Point, which is a charming
spot, though it does make merely a
spot on the maps. The feature of
the Point is an clearinghouse, being
the only one in the country capable
Of feeding the whole people Of the
State, which this one does easily.
There is tower here, and from the
top you car. see the whole of Rhode
Island and a segment of Massachu
sets. The State has been recently
staked off into lots for building pur-
poses, and these lots can be seen
from the tower, and that is the best
situation for making a selection.
They don't sell SO well as was expect
ed, on account of the scarcity of room
for exercise, but this difficulty it is
thought will be obviated ultimately
by establishing ferry to Scckonk.
The people are proud of the State on
account Of it's diminutive size, and
call it a gem, which it is, set in the
silver Of Narragansctt Bay, and stud
ded with shells,-many of them of
the favorite order Of the clam, the
most popular edible of Rocky Point.
We shall attend clam-bake before
we leave.
Rocky Point reached its. present
state of glory through the efforts and
money Of one Of the Sprague family.
Byron Sprague, cousin Of the present
Senator William, and son Of the first
Governor William, after the death OF
his father, tired of mills and water
wheels,-and water, too-took his
money out of the manufacturing firm
and invested it in watering place,
Rocky Point, where he shortly died
from too persistent disregard OF
cold water principles, It's said. The
investment for time did not prove
profitable, but recent improvements
in the taste for CLAIMS has improved
matters, and Byron's course is now
approved with ac-clan-ation. Had
he lived till to-day he would have
been the COLOSSUS of Rhode, able to
snap his fingers at clans and clam
or.
We shall touch the clam question
rather gingerly, we shell, from mo-
tives of discretion, as we propose to
stay at the Point and in the neigh
borhood couple of weeks, and our
own clam shells would be in danger
of summary closing not consistent
with the summery pleasures we came
to enjoy, should we unexpectedly
speak of Rhoda's flvorite bivalve.
But it is cool down here at the Long
meadow, which is a mile from the
Point.