Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1880-06-26
OUR CORRESPONDENCE ATT CRAB
ORCHARD.

4
which seems to have been deserted
by everything save an honored old
age and the cleverest of people, we
arrived at the springs. How shall
1 speak of the elegant accommoda-
tions, of the spacious and beautiful
grounds, of the clever clerks and
kindest of managers, of the Ken
lucky mutton and Bourbon whis-
ky?
For fifty years Crab Orchard has
been a place of great resort. For
many years only those who came
to seek health were the visitors. In
fact, the accommodations were
meager till the close of our late war,
when the property having changed
owners, the purchasers expended
some $40, 900 i'm improvements. In
1871 the renowned Fitz Hugh, who
was elected door-keeper of the
house of representatives several
years ago, was the lessee. You will
remember he was the man who
claimed to be a "bigger man than
old Grant" This man Fitz Hugh
obtained some 5000 insurance on
his furniture, when suddenly a fire
came along and destroyed buildings.
burned up the furniture, and, it is
said, the "bigger man than Grant"
saved nothing from the fire but his
insurance policies. 1t is hazard
Gus to have too much insurance.
Its apt to bring about fire, and
then, too, it will make people talk.
For some malicious, evil-minded |
persons, instigated no doubt by the
devil, and certainly without the |
fear of Fitz Hugh before their eyes,
say that in the benefit which that |
truly good man gave himself, in
which appeared the fire works
Fitz Hugh carried his own torch.
They further intimate that from
that date he began to "grow and
wax fat" till he got to be "bigger
man than old Grant"
Well, Immediately after the fire,
Col. Isaac Shelby, the present pro-
prietor, son of the governor of
that name, purchased the property,
and Immediately inaugurated that
system Of improving and beautify-
ing the place, till now it is known
over the United States as one of the
most beautiful and elegant water
ing places and summer resorts in
The country. With 60 or 70 acres
covered with blue grass, and thick
y studded with fine forest trees,
with now and then an artistic rock
cry, with well-kept walks cutting
various geOmetric figures, with
seats for couples or crowds, the
whole lighted by gas jets, itpresents
Is pretty a scene as one could well
imagine.
The brick building, erected at a
,ost of $4,000 and finished at
,ost of 100000, is one of the most
buildings for its purposes
ever saw. Besides this, there are
wo large frame buildings, facing
ZACH other, but running 200 feet at
light agles with the brick. Six
guests can be comfortably
md elegantly entertained. Mr..
Shelby has erected, just in the rear
# his hotel, gas works and water
works. The gas is of superior quail
ty, and, as above itimated, the {
pipes have been run under ground
o various points, and the strangely
'eautiful sight is presented of gas
cts burning a hundred yards from {
my building. The proprietor raises
lis mutton on the place here. He
las large garden with an expert
need gardener in charge. He has
herd of fine cattle. In short, ,
that can tempt a man to
un away from home and spend a
ew weeks away from the dust and
loise, can be found in abundance
lere. One, of the herd of cattle
poken of, is of the ''Tom Crutch-
Ield" breed, and would make Gen. i
luarles and Col. GOodlett green
With envy. Ask Judge Smith
bout this particular breed.
OF the wonderful wator and of the
wonderful curative powers possess
d by them, / need not write to
,Iarksvillians. The editor of the
first induced Mr.. Polk
Johnson to visit these springs.
his is his sixth trip here, and
ever has he failed to obtain relief
within few days after he arrived.
When we drove up Mr.. McCOmb ,
vas seen sitting on the porch, and, ]
lad I not recognized Walter Nc
,omb's old clothes, / don't think ]
hOuld have recognized him at all,
uch has been the wonderful i'm
in his health and looks. /!
t would do no good to insert an
nalysis of the water, for it would
My be understood by a few, but / 4
end it to the editor and he can use
/ as he sees fit. / can only speak
f actual facts, know that these
waters have afforded relief to par !
les suffering from stomach diseases
nd general debility when all 9TH
rs have failed. To appreciate them
hey must be tried. Mr.. J. S. Tevis, S
he gentlemanly manager, has the
equation of being willing to do
more to please his guests than any
nan in Kentucky. Yours,
..t. QpCAaInNA[i. 6