The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1875-09-21
MONROE COUNTY, oEo TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER

Written for The Spirit of Democracy
A Letter from the EdItOr..-Ie
Sketcheth HIS observations.
PUTIN BAY HOUSE, Sept s, 1875.
OUR PARTY,
Consisting of W. F. Hunter, David Okey
and myself, left Woodsfeld on the NOR.
ming of the 9th, by the old reliable Burk-
head line, and arrived at BarnesviIle
about s o'clock. After breakfasting with
Uncle Richard we took passage for this
point, via Newark
ON THE TRAIN
We met Hon. Isaac Welch, Treasurer of
State. He was engaged in an animated
discussion OF the currency question, tax
ing the hard money and hard times side
lof that issue. l was forcibly reminded
of the time when this same Mr.. Welch
carried on through The SPIRIT his noted
controversy with Hon. E Archbold, in
which Mr.. Welch was the advocate Of
paper currency, and, in the opinion of
many of your readers gained victory
over Mr. Archbold. 1t seemed to me
that Mr.. Welch's opponent in this argu
ment could have made excellent use of
Mr.. Welch's letters, if he had been in
possession of them.
fell into train of reflection on the
power of party over principle. Here
was one of the most thoughtfal and
steadfast men in the State, drawn by the
influence of party entirely over to the
other extreme, from what had been the
best matured and best established con-
victions of his life. From this train of
thought l naturally fell into-a nap.
THE CROPS.
Before we got to Newark I began to
observe that the corn crop was becom-
ing less promising as we advanced. I
have seen no such corn this side of New
ark as I saw in Monroe and Belmont
counties. After all has been said about
the superior lay of the land ia this part
of the State, and of its superior value,
do not hesitate to say that this year, at
least, our hills and hollows will turn
out at least twenty-five per cent more
corn per acre than will the boasted re-
gion through which l have been travel
ing. I am furthermore convinced that
our county would furnish larger
amount of local business to a railroad
than will an equal area Of this country,
leaving out the towns; yet this region is
checkered all over with railroads, and we
have none.
While we were stopping at Mt. YS-
non, curious individual put his head
out of the window and enquired of a ma
tive where G. Washington was buried,
and sked if the stump of that cherry
tree was standing yet. The native gave
T him an idiotic stare, but said nothing.
But the most intolerabe joke of the
trip was perpetrated at Mansfield. A
barbarian enquiled, s.Can some one tell
me if this Mansfield is cultivated
placer"
ARhlV Al AL fCI-lN-BA1-
About dusk we arrived at Sandusky
where we took a twenty mile ride to this
place. The lake was perfectly smooth,
there being no air astir except that cans
ed by the motion of the boat. The ride
was delightful. The moon, about hall
full, was shining, and its reflection on
the waves was most lovely sight On
every hand were lights cleaning from
the villas, some near and some far,which
ornament the multitude of islands for
which the bay is celebrated.
About ten o'clock we rounded to at
the pier in front of the Putin Bay
House The house itself and the grounds
around we're brilliantly illuminated, and
a brass band was discoursing soft music
to the hundreds who concentrated here
and there in groups.
The little glimpse which I obtained
that night of this famous watering place
fully realized my brightest anticipations
Nothing appeared 10 be wanting which
could add to its comfort, its gayety OF
its beauty / went to sleep to dream o
the gorgeous beauties of fairy lands.
SCENERY.
Stepping out upon the verandah in tht
morning, the scene in front af the house
was decidedly animated Not less thar
a thousand people were visible on th'
few acres of lawn between the house and
the lake; and there are no less than fou
bands of music.
Looking out upon the lake / beheld :
view which l had supposed existed only
in pictures. Almost directly in front
and distant about half mile is the ia
nous residence of Jay Cooke, on .
small, picturesque island. A little fur
ther to the right, and distsnt two miles
is Middle Bass Island, with its celebra
ted wine house. Still further around tt
the right is Kelley's Island, resort bu
little less popular than Putin Bay.
| On the lake may be seen, at any hou
of the day, from twenty five to seventy
FIVE water crafts, from the largest double
| decked steamer down to the most insig
nificant pine sklff.
ALL LEAsURE, NO BUSINESS.
The whole scene and its surroundings
on first view, reminds me of those en-
chanted islands in fairy stories, in whicl
the Inhabitants have nothing to do but t
seek for and enjoy pleasure. There i
none of the hurry and hustle of business
there are no business houses scarcely ez
cept few for the sake of luxuries ;ther
are no wagons except pleasure carriages
no poor dwellings, no poor people; n
laborers except the servants, and the
are quite as ornamental as useful, l
short. the world looked at from the ve
randall is very jolly sort of world.
SHoDDY.
This was the way it all appeared t
me at first; and although but three day
have passed the whole thing has grow
Q stale. Most of what seemed to be gol
is mere glitter, and. I find that ever!