Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-09-20
RoGERsvILLE LETTER.
RoGERsvILLE, EAST TENN,
September l6, 1879.

The generous and timely donations
of Jay Gould to the Memphis suffer-
ers places him at once in different
light from that in which we have been
in the habit of viewing him. The
cold man of figures and finances, the
manipulation Of stocks and bonds, has
Unexpectedly developed a sympathy
for our suffering people which will
eDdear him to thousands of grateful
hearts. He is personally stranger to
the citizens of Memphis and is not
likely to ever stand in need of favor
at their hands. No donation received
thus far this year has made such an
impression. 1t came at time of
great need and distress from one with
whom the benefciaries had no pecu-
liar interests or sympathies in common.
When the history Of the epidemic is
written by another Keaiing, and read
by future generations, the name Of
Gould will be remembered as one that
dug well in a desert, or sent relief to
famished travellers on the burning
sands. The brave but faint hearted
workers within Memphis must feel
that they have friends and supporters
on the outside who will not let them
go down for want of substantial aid
and moral encouragement.
There may be differences of opinion
in the city as to the methods employed
in caring for the sick, feeding the
hungry and guarding the property of
absentees. The authorities have evil
IDENTIFY held firm hand and preserved
good order. This betokens an adj
mirable system in times of pestilence,
threatened famine and virtual state
Of siege The turbulent elements, il
present in any force, have been re-
pressed or overawed. Robberies and
fires have seldom been reported oI
late, and refugees begin to hope that
the men, women and children who
had to flee unprepared month earlier
than ever before to save their lives
| will at least find their homes as the,
| left them. Those who remained anC
protected the city 4rcm ruin shoult
be recognized and rewarded. Th,
police and fremen owing to the pov
erty Of the times and the econom,
that seemed absolutely necessary ar,
very poorly paid They are richl,
entitled to double pay for their ser
vices during the epidemic, and it is t,
be hoped movement to this end will b
set on foot and carried out. The col
ored militia seem to have acted wei
and in good faith. The State shoul,
pay them we'll and the people o
Memphis, it seems, ought to build an,
equip a good armory for them as
reward for what they have done an,
an encouragement for the future. W
hope to have no more such epidemics
but it is wise Sin time of peace to pre-
pare for war
The report which reached us las
Saturday of eleven deaths and twenty
one new cases was quite discouraging
} especially to the sanguine refugee
who have been watching the tints o
autumn coming slowly over the noun
tains and counting on an early return
to Memphis. The days are cool anc
bracing, and the nights quite chilly
making fires and blankets almost in
dispensable. Those of us who hav,
{ only linen busters instead of over
coats with us will have cool ride o
it going home. If mans foresigh
always worked both ways he needn'
make such mistakes. The linen duste
brigade, with straw hats and low
quartered summer shoes, will cut quit
figure returning to Memphis in No
vember, especially if bit of snoy
storm to match should come up. TIL
refugees are a hearty looking set an,
have evidently Jared well, especiall
, in and around Rogersyille, where liv
, ing is good, abundant and cheap.
| was down at Tate's one day las
J week. The distance from here
, twenty-three miles. Two of us wer
in spring wagon, driven by tn
! genial Alf Mckinney, and back tn
same day. The water there is note,
, for its curative properties in cases O
} dyspepsia. The situation is rather
9 pleasant one, in low, wide valley.
= good many Memphians are there, in
i cluding some who went from here an
Hobs Springs, and as it is too late i
the season for them to change agai
S they will probably remain there unit
it is safe to go home. Those who wen
there with dyspepsia, heart burr
lethargy, ETC., from over. eating ar
r nearly cured, ! should think, and wi
no doubt be quite well before they &c
J, away. The water is very fine. Their
, is also a good view Of sunset from
4 neighboring hill. A game of ten-pin
/. after dinner on an elegant and scien