The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-04-29
THE CHARIEsri1N EXCURSION.

place and Belton being crowded. Ar
irving at Belton, the rain coming down
In torrents, we we-e informed that one
hour and a half was at our disposal to
get breakfast and see the sights of Bel
ton, and but for the Enin we would have
been glad to have availed ourselves of
the Opportunity. Belton. from appear.
ances, is a live town, and bids fair when
the Atlantic and French Broad Railroad
is completed to become the centre of cen.
siderable trade, Surrounded. as it is,
with good farming lands, an Industrious
and progressive population, with compe.
tition in freights and energetic business
men, before great while Beltcn will be
reaching out after trade now controlled
by older places. All the towns along the
q. & G. R. R. seem to be growing-new
houses going up, fences in good repair,
and very few idle people to be seen.
Small grain crops are looking fine, and
farming operations are generally in a
forward condition.
At every depot additions we're made to
our party, and when we left Newberry
not a seat was vacant, and standing room
vas scarce. At Aston, the junction Of
the Spartanburg & Union Railroad, We
were joined by excursionists along that
line, and from that place to Columbia
the cars were crowded uncomfortably.
On arriving at Columbia the South
Carolina Railroad promptly put two
trains at our disposal, mud from that
place to Charleston the ride was delight
full. We were able to see but little Of
the country between these two places,
but from what we did see we were i'm
pressed with the idea that this section of
our State has not made the progress in
farming that the up-country has. While
the lands seem to be productive and we'll
cultivated, still there is no evidence of
prosperity. Very few neat farm-houses
are to be seen, and the country has de.
serted appearance.
At 10 p. m. we reached the city, and
soon the whole party were on the LOOK
out for accommodations. Some were met
by friends and quietly marched away to
hospitable homes, but the great majority
made rush for the different hotels,
which were already crowded by excur-
sionists from different parts of the State,
as the same cheap rates were given over
every railroad within our borders, COM
mencing on the same day. All were
finally taken in and cared for, some of the
boys declaring next morning that they
had slept among the stars-in the fifth
or sixth story, three in bed. We heard
considerable grumbling the day after our
arrival at hotel accommodations, but
when made aware of the immense crowd
in the city, the grumblers came to the
conclusion that some allowance should
be made.
Early Wednesday morning the pleas
ure-seekers sailed out to visit the vari-
Gus places of interest in the city. All
the public buildings, cemeteries, gardens,
museums, &C., were kindly thrown open
to visitors free of charge. while the citi-
zens of Charleston, white and colored,
Wed with each other in politeness, often
going considerable distance in order to
better enable their country friends to
find the objects of their search.
The great attraction, however, to the
up-country people was the water, and
very few excursion boats left the city
without being crowded. The shipping
at the wharves from all parts of the
world was especially interesting to those
not accustomed to it. The loading and
unloading is all done by machinery, and
with greater dispatch than one would
imagine. Cotton bales are compressed
into about half the usual size, thus en-
abling the vessels to carry several thou
sand bales. We saw q large steamer
from Florida come in loaded with fruit
and vegetables for New York-oranges,
potatoes, squashes, beans, water-melons,
and enough cucumbers, it seemed to us,
to supply the United States. We never
before saw so many vegetables at one
time, and had no idea of the magnitude
of the business. The New York steamer
Immediately took charge of the cargo,
and left forthwith for it's destination.
Sullivan's Island, with its magnificent
beach, covered with shells of every de-
scription, which must be seen to be ap-
preciated, was the popular place of re-
sort with visitors. Fort Sumter was also
visited by great numbers. There is no
garrison stationed in the fort, and the
place seems to be fast crumbling into
ruins. Drayton Hall, or Magnolia Gar
den as it is called here, twenty miles up
the Ashley River, with its huge magnolia
trees, covered with the long moss pecu-
liar to the low country; its miniature
lakes, winding walks, rustic bridges,
fower.beds, &C., make this delightful
place to spend few hours. The ride up
the river gives very good view of the
western portion of the city, but is other
wise monotonous. The most important
phosphate works are located on this
stream, but as the boat made no landing,
we did not have the pleasure of visiting
them. The boats are supplied with eve
rything good to eat and drink, (the An