Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-06-09
FROM KNOXVILLE TO PUTIN.BAY
Excursion to the Lake Eric Islands.
LOUISVILLE, KY, May 81. 10.

One week ago to day, with the Their.
mometer above 20 aud profusion of
dust equal to midsummer, the writer
hereof, in company with his better
half left Knoxville for flying trip to
Put-iu-Bay. The object of the trip
was "a brief respite from the tread mill
routine Of editorial life and The occa-
sion Of IL, au excursion planned by
some philanlhropic Ohio gentlemen
who have an eye to the welfare of the
much abused aud we fear unappre-
ciated editorial profession Nothing
worthy of note happened un our
tedious journey to the Queen City.
made doubIy so by the very hot wealth
er, except that, owing to II recent
change of schedule, We tasted from
supper at Stevenson, Alabama, until
supper again at the Gibson House in
Cincinnati, which caused US to enjoy
the latter with an emphasis. This
latter city was the point of rendezvous,
the time for starting 9:45 A. NJ, May
Goth.
Repairing at that hour to
the Pearl Street Depot, we
found ourselves without delay
or a special train -pro, ided for
the occasion, consisting of splendid
new engine, named ID. w. G..
Blown in honor of the energetic
General Manager of the Cincinnati,
Sandusky and Cleveland Railroad, to-
gether with baggage car, smoking car,
and two elegant new parlor coaches.
For beauty, elegance and comfort these
latter can not toe excelled. The i'm.
mense plate glass windows enables oc-
cupauts to see out from either side and
obtain good view of the fine country
through which the line passes. We
started promptly, almost 1T the
exact time mentioned in the
printed programmes, and were
soon whizzlng away through the SUI
burbs of Cincinnati, and then into the
Miami Valley. In two hours and ten
minutes we were at Springfield, 81
miles away, having stopped five times.
soon we reached Bellefontaine, where
the entire party partook of an excel
lent lunch at the Branham House.
Here we had the pleasure of meeting
Campbell d Dow, of Knoxville, with
his accomplished wife, and our plea
sure was heightened when we learned
they would accompany US on the eX-
cursiou. AT 4:40 z. VI. we reached the
city of @andusky, on the Lake Erie
shore, and in II short time were
on board the steamer Jay
Cooke, sailing majestically across
the beautiful lake. We had expert
enced Inconvenience before leaving
Cincinnati on account OF the great
heat, but now heavy shawls and over
coats were in demand. 1t was beauti-
full evening, and the lake scenery was
very much enjoyed.
In about an hour from the time we
left the dock at Saudusky we were
drawn up at the wharf at Kelley's
Island. y large party of fishermen
from various portions of Ohio had pre-
ceded us, 1t being the heighth of the !
bass season, 50 that the gentlemauly !
proprietor Of the Island House expert !
enced some difficulty in furnishing &C
commodations for his guests. But
he was equal to the emer-
gency, and no reasonable man had |
occasion to complain. He demonstra-
in an omnibus there is always room !
for one more. He made every effort
to render his guests comfortable, and |
succeeded admirably.
Remaining here until Thursday
morning, the party again embarked on |
the elegant steamer Jay Cooke, and |
took trip around Putin Bay, PASS |
ing around Kelley's Island, getting |
fine views OF Rattlesnake Island, Mid !
die Bars Island, and Gibralter, upon |
which Jay Cooke built his handsome |
summer residence, and upon which he |
now lives temporarily. a little after
ten O'Clock, A. NJ, We landed at the |
Putin Bay House pier, aud were wei !
coined cordially by Col. Sweeney and !
Mr.. west, proprietors of the house.
The names Of ladies and gentle
men comprising the party hay
ing been registered, we were
all slowed away in remarkably short
time in large, well ventilated rooms
with clean beds, line furniture, etc.
The hotel is very cOmmodious, ar
ranged with all modern conveniences,
is we'll kept, and, being situated on
one of the loveliest spots on the globe,
makes this, during the summer
months, almost paradise. AS a sum.
mer resort these islands stand without
a rival.
In due time dinner was announced,
after partakihg of which with keen
relish, the excursiOnists spent the
evening in various ways. Some went
to Perry's Cave, named in honor of
Commodore Perry, some to Gibralter,
some to Middle Bass Island and some,
including the writer, in company with
Mr.. w. a. Campbell, went fishing,
our better halves accompanying US
to the shore, but no farther, much to
our regret and disappointment. We
found that as disciples of Izaak Wal
ton we were decided success. After
two hours faithful angling Mr.. Camp
bell succeeded in taking four fine
striped and black bass, while these
few lines" counted only three. But
still 1t was interesting. Some gentle-
men the same evening caught as many
as sixty, weighing from One-and-a-
half to three pounds. Bass fishing is
fine sport, and at this season attracts
thousands of persons TO the lakes, who
fish only for amusement.