Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-10-09
Camps Father Matthew and Cypress
Creek Grove.


EDITORS APPEAL-As you have INDUCED
my scrbbling in times gone by, thought
would let you know | am still in the land of
the living, On the twenty-slxth of August
left your doomed city, and as summer tours
were very fashionable this season, | thought
would go in style; so put my family IN a
wagon and started, Near Court SQUARE, we
W. e accosted by that good Howard, A. N.
Stoddard, who approved of our choice of
refuge. | am glad to know he is spared to
his family and to Memphis, tor we need more
of such men. On our route out Poplar street
evidences of sorrow met the eyeon every side.
Arrived at our destination, l breathed freer,
thinking all safe. All! could then have
known that the dear lifelong companion
who stood beside me had already inhaled the
dread poison, that IN a few days would de-
velop in disease and death, would not
have enjoyed that brief respite. The super
iDtendent, Mr.. Consodine, with his kl1d and
able assistant, Mr.. Seaman, called next
morning to see after our comfort and assign
US temporary place for camping, from
whence we were removed In a few days to
the permanent camp ground, beautifully sit
uated on an eminence, from whence steps
had been cut down, to permit access to the
spring, whose clear, sparkling water is far
preferable to the costliest VINE. Though
never much of water-lover, find it neces-
sity to drink six or seven glasses per day. We
have the holy sacrifice of the mass offered up
every morning, and the benedictIon
at night. The music is rendered by two
accomplished young ladies, the Misses Hal
loran, and as the sweet but solemn tones
of the organ float out on the night air | look
around on the weird and beautiful scene and
think, is the events of the past few weeks
some fearful dream? But there, in front of
me, is the little ark with the inspired coun-
tenance of the officiating servant of God,
F0rpEpnt ar tha altar tho black rOhas Of tho
sisters thrown into relief by the fitful blaze
OF the campfire, while around kneels the
reverend worshipers of all ages, while the
bright stars shine above and the branches of
the trees throw Pickering shadows. 1t Is a
scene never to be forgotten. Mr.. Consodine
has done wonders here. His energy and per-
severance, putting aside his own private sor-
rows-for he has lost his only son-he has
not shirked any duty that devolved on him
by the few yellow-tever cases we have
had in camp None originated here.
We have a commissary, a hospital
kitchens for every family on the place,
roads cut, bridges built, and everything done
that can minister TO the comfort of our large
community, which numbers over four hum
dred. Often in reading stories of Irish
peasant life ! have been puzzled by the ex-
preston, ''Soggarth Aroon" as applied to
their priests. Well, since l have been in
this camp, | think l know its full signif-
canoe, for, IN the person OF Rev. w. Walsh,
president of the Father Matthew society,
see exempli6ed all the traits of christian
hero, a loving father and friend. He has
come into our miGst night, alter night, with
words of hope and cheer on his lips, while
sitting his own grief at the loss of college
companions and dear friends of the priest
hood, who were daily falling around him
in the path of duty. Well, Messrs. Editors,
if live to come marching home | may en-
terrain you with some of the legends,
rich and rare, and the songs,
quaint and old, that we hear every night at
our camp-fres. | think you would be as
amused as | was if you could hear the remark
OF little miss, as she sat cycling the tents:
well, if L knew we had to live in houses
made of sheets, would stay home" If you
can find time to visit us, you will be admitted
by our trusty watchmen, Dennis and Barney.
As they are strong temperance men, you must
not offer them any p eventive.
october 9, 1873. NJ A. Nc.