Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1878-05-04

tricts No. on the north and No. 5
on the south. Its windings in the
last seven miles of its course enclose
two great peninsulas, one projecting
northwards from No. 5 into No. /
the other southwards from No. /
into No. 3. The former of these is
almost entirely occupied by the
Northington family, the latter by
Mr.. Weatherford. We ought here
to state that the Northingtons seem
to be historical family in this re-
giOn, their property being found in
all parts of the northern half of Dis
trict No. 5. Opposite the south
eastern extremity of the second of |
these two penisulas, at the confiu-
ence of Sulphur Fork with Red |
river, is situated Port Royal. In
consequence of the winding course
of the river we were at one point |
within a mile and a half of the town |
when we had five or six miles to go. !
Our whistle at this point was quite
distinctly heard at Port Royal, and |
from this point up the widest ex-
element seemed to be aroused on
shore. Crowds of interested specta-
tors were seen on every point of
vantage, of all ages, sexes and col
ors. Handkerchief were waved,
cheering was frequently heard,
especially when the Gracey sprung
her whistle; boys, black and white,
ran along the banks for miles to
keep up with US. At length, at 1:20
P. NJ, we anchored at Port Royal.
A large crowd had gathered at the
landing, including many of the most
substantial citizens and fairest
daughters of the district. We were
especially interested in the CONVEX
sation of Mr.. Felix NorthingtOn,
who settled in this place in 1903,
being then child of eight years
old. His "reminiscences took us back
to the earliest days of the settlement
of Middle Tennessee, when his
father, the second Governor Blount
and General Karney were the choice
spirits of the neighborhood. Our
informant was, as he says, slip of
boy then, and when this trio met
at his fathers house, which was
quite often, it was his duty to mix
toddies for them. This was evil
IDENTIFY several years before Murphy
was born. WeWere also introduced
to son of Mr.. NOrthington's and
two lovely granddaughter, with
whom our interview had only one
draWback-it was sab, too brief"
Among others to whom we had the
privilege of an introduction were
Messrs. VIM. Gaines, J. n. Potts,
w. B. Rosson, S. r. Moody, Jack
Ware, Ross Bourne, F. NOrthing-
ton, Capt. HewlettandJ. H. Achey.
The return trip was rather diff
cult navigation at the sharp turns
and narrow shutes on account of the
sWiftness of the stream. The tOrtu-
Gus course made it necessary to go
slow for fear of running ashore, and
this could only be effected by revers-
ing the engines, under which condi-
ton steerage was--very difficult. A
very little work in telling trees in
these narrow island shutes would
give at least double the space to
maneuvre in and so very materially
diminish the difficulty at those
points.
AS on our up trip, crowds were
posted everywhere to bid us fare
well. At one point, about half a
mile below town, the immediate
margin was occupied by large
crowd of Ethiopian damsels, while
on a little rising ground immedi-
ately beyond, knot of beauties of
the fairer race had established them
selves. Riley, always gallant, posted
himself in conspicuous place on
deck, and proceeded to course of
frantic gesticulations, bowling and
dancing about and shaking hand
kerchieves with an astonishing vi
vacity. BY some unaccOuntable
oversight the ladies did not seem to
notice these demonstrations, but the
coIored ladies in front took them to
themselves and responded with most
elusive energy. Riley was doubt
lessly gratified at this much appre-
citation, but there was something on
his countenance which seemed to
say that it was not quite the thing
intended.
The sound judgment of Capt. Ora
cey and the experienced skill of his
pilot, Capt. Cawlishaw, seconded
by the vigorous exertions of his
crew, brought us safely through all
difficulties and landed us at the
bridge again at ten minutes before
seven, the whole trip up and down
having been accomplished by broad
daylight in little over twelve hours.
SUM TOTAL.
The beautiful stream entitled Red
river can be, must be and shall be
navigated regularly for commercial
purposes. The Port Royal people
seem keenly interested in it; the
people along the banks are willing
to make active eXertions towards
that end; the people of GAINESVILLE,
who have more to gain by the enter
prise than anyone else, must give
material support to it, and our next
representative in the State Legisla-
ture must procure a bill declaring
Red river a navigable stream and
giving it all the rights, prerogatives
and immunities pertaining to that !
rank. We have only to add the |
names of the officers and crew of
the enterprising little craft whose