The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1879-12-17
Jour LETTER FROM LOUISVILLE.

WoMEN--THE JESSE X. BELL,
HER DEPARTURE ON THE
10TH FOR NEW OR
ORLEANS TOWN.
GAIT House, LOUISVILLE, KY,
December s, 1879.
Dear Democrat
Believing you would be pleased to
b. ear from these headquarters of fast
horses, beautiful women, and fine
steamboats,, l have thought to devote
a few moments to your most excel
lent paper.
The coming of that mo illustri
GUS warrior and sagacious statesman,
Gen. Grant, on the 10th inst, is the
whole topic of conversation amongst
the Louis vilkaas, and this hotel,
(Galt House, is to have the honor
of entertaining his highness-to
which end, all is hustle and activity
in preparing for the grand event.
The large and commodious dining
parlor has been handsomel y festoon-
ed around with the American colors,
and in every way made attractive;
the floor waxed and polished until it
reflects like a mirror, the chandeliers
decorated in the most fanclful man
ner, mathematical of all the different
countries by the General in his late
travels. At the farther end has been
erected rich and elaborate throne
of kingly proportions, suspended
over which is magnificent floral
wreath surrounding that ominous
word FOREVER.
This Grant boom / can assure you
is no political myth, but has already
assumed a solidity that is working o
wonderful revolution in the minds Of
the people throughout this section:
and they begin to feel favorable to
wards a dictatorship, and Grant
seems to be their choice.
The next in order is horses, about
which but little can be said just now,
the races being over and the animals
stabbed for the winter; but, as you
we'll know, / am a great admirer Of
these most useful -four footers" l
have taken time to look around con
siderably, and have been rewarded
by the sight Of some beautiful and
very speedy thoroughbreds, Of which
Kentucky boasts the best. So far,
however, have not been able to dis
cover that favorite color OF my Alex.
andria friend, strawberry roar"
and should Isremain here until after
the Spring races, ! will take. occasion
10 give you full particulars, pedigree,
ETC., of all the fast racers.
During my stay here I have paid
frequent visits to Captain Sinnott's
. "
handsome new boat, .Jesse X. Bell"
and sure enough found her all that
has been represented; twen,y-eight
feet longer, and four feet wider than
The old boat-she sits upon the wa
tiers, a model of beauty and exact
proportions. There is no gainsaying
that for strength, safety and COM
fort, she is as near perfection as ha
man ingenuity and superior work
|mans'lip can approach; the hull is
8 u ch, of great capacity, and we'll
fastened; the fire department com
plete, and so arranged as to almost
defy destruction by that element;
while her cabin exhibits taste in
construction, harmony in surround
iDgs, and luxury in appointments.
The outfit is splendid in every par
ticular, the chandeliers, which have
Just arrived from New York, arc OF
the latest French style, and known
as the "Gambetta'' pattern, and are
really attractive. A very heavy plate
glass mirror decorates the after end
of the ladies cabin, mounted on a
stand capped with Italian marble,
and is Of full length, while the soft
and varied colored lights admitted
through the burned glass transoms,
adds pleasant and inviting appear.
ance to the whole saloon. From the
amidship gangway aft there arc
twelve rooms on each side of large
size, and provided with an elegant
ses Of furniture, consisting Of bed
stead, dresser, toilet and wash stand
all manufactured from Canadian
black walnut, highly finished in oil
above the bed stead hangs a very