Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-09-04
MISSISSIPPI EXCURSION.
An Unexpected visit Of Seven Hun.
dred Mississippians TO
Memphis.
The Representative Worth and
Beauty of the state I'm Midst
"A RaiIr0ad Courtesy.

Our Mississippi n~eighbors organized
large surprise party and came in on u
yesterday afternoon, capturing the cit,
without firing a gun, and up to the houl
of going to press have retained complete
and almost undisputed possession. A
feeble resistance was made by half {
hundred bold hackmen who drew up il
line at the depot, but the invading hos
came in like an army, with banners
charged the hacks, taking all but one OIL
two that escaped in a crippled condition
and before half our surprised population
understood the alarm the bloodless bat
tie was over; the hackmen were pa
rolled upon honor not to leave the
city, and say with a polite wink, hack,
sir take a ride; only cost you fifteen
dollars" to every good-looking stranger
and the invaders spread out over the
city to help themselves to whatever they
might fancy.
Upon closer observation it was dis.
covered that they had all been here be-
fore at some time, and many of them at
Mardi.G ras, when they saw King Carni,
val receive the keys of the city from the
hands Of the Mayor. They failed to ask
for the keys, having learned that the
city had no gates to lock, and therefore
dispensed with all useless ceremony.
Another fact was soon observable, that
while they helped themselves rather
freely at some Of the stores and selected
quarters at the hotels, they paid for all
they took and 70 grumbling. We infer
that they have sold their wheat crops
and concluded to come up in a body
and spend it all at one time. So the
raid was altogether in favor of Memphis,
and we hope they will come up often
and capture the place in the same way.
The fact is, they are old friends and
good neighbors. We recognize among
them the best people of Mississippi
farmers, lawyers and merchants, stately
matrons, lovely damsels, gallant boys
and beautiful children. They took u
merchants and everybody unawares; in
fact, came at an unfavorable time for
anything like shopping. The retail
stocks are very low and scarcely any
e fall goods have been received. We
hope our visitors who depart by the Mis-.
sissippi and Tennessee railroad have en-.
joyed themselves, and hat they will call
again when our business season has
fairly opened and our thousands of alb
sentees are back in their places. The
excursion, we learn, was a piece Of rail-
road enterprise and cleverness, whichen.
abled the people to come and 60 in a
given time at about one-fourth the usual
fare.
Our Mississippi friends are welcome
to hold the city as long as they will. We
met several hundred OF them on the
streets to-day, all cheerful, ~well-dressed,
ntelligelt-looking people, the very bone
and sinew and chivalry Of the land. If
they will come back on some public &C.
casion we will assure them Of a more
BETTING reception and have more sights
to show them. Memphis is in Tennes-
see, yet is closely identified in interest
and sympathy with Mississippi, and our
people hope hat the time is not far dis
tant when hat State will be as free as
Tennessee and enjoy all the blessings of
peace and self-government.
TINE EXTENDED.
The following correspondence was re-
ceived since the above was written;
To the Editor of the Ledger;
DEAR SIR-You will be pleased to see
the enclosed correspondence that
our visitors will have an opportunity,
through the courtesy Of Superintendent
NJ. Burke, TO remain over until Tuesday
next, which will afford our citizens an
opportunity Of treating our Mississippi
friends as they deserve.
Yours, JoHy LoaGUR, Mayor.