Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1880-02-06
ON THE MISSISSIPPI.

Eds. Tsg:-Leaving Cincinnati on the
9th we are now nearing Memphis where
we shall arrive about 1 o'clock D. N. Our
journey thus far has been delightful. The
weather has grown steadily cooler since we
left the north. On the morning Of the S1st
we found frozen sleet upon the deck Of the
steamer. We we're nearing Mound City,
noted military depot during the war. Sew
eral government snagbOats and survey boats
lay at the levee, and the Getty Of Alton,
from st. Louis, where Captain BiXby came
on board. He is the man with whom Mark
Twain essayed to learn plotting the Mis-
sissippi, and failed.
A New Orleans boat met us on the river
here. and the crowd being obliged to lose
Mardi Gras festivities at home were already
having them on board. A number Of mask
ers were ranged on the deck and bowed to
Us in their grotesque attire, and gun was
fired in salute.
Cairo lies two miles above the confluence
of the two rivers-the Ohio and Mississippi.
The ladies who went ashore were known all
day by the mud they brought back upon
their dresses. Yesterday, also, we passed
the little town of Hickman, KY., which
two years ago suffered so terribly from yell
low fever. 1t contains many tasteful resi-
denees, some Of which crown the heights
above the business portion Of the town.
We are now among the Islands, one Of them
so famous during the war, and known as
No 10, is now nearly all washed away.
The best point Of observation on the Star
is in the pilot house, and this is crowded
with passengers nearly all the day. The
pilots are gentlemanly and intelligent, and
gladly give you all requisite information.
Knowing every inch Of the river and its
shores they guide the boat in confidence
through the blacklist night when the uned-
ueated eye would scarce discern the shore.
Yesterday after looking over the freight
below spied lot Of empty barrels and
was told they were to be left at points be-
low, to be filed with oil made from cotton
seed. This is shipped eastward and to Eu-
rope, and from 1t are made the incest
SOLVE oil" and fancy soaps, sc. Not
portion Of the cotton product but is used.
After the oil is pressed from the seed the
cake is used for feeding stock, and the
stems are burned FOR fuel. Along the
shores is a dense growth Of cottonwood
trees, and further back the taller cypress
trees with elumps Of mistletoe in the
branehes-the mistletoe being a parasitic
plant. A border of canebrake is seen all
along the shores.
At Shawnee town, on the Ohio, Mr..
George EschoI Sellers came on board. he
is the original Col. Sellers of Mark Twain's
''Gilded Age" and so sensitive about the
fact that to call him Col. fairly eruciies him.
I have not failed to learn a deal about
Mardi Gras, which signifies Fat Tuesday or
the day preceding the lenten fast. The
word carnival comes from the Latin words
carni and vale, meaning meat farewell.
The "Guiding Star" is commissioned as
flagship to His Majesty, Rex. Captain
Mill is "Duke Of the Lakes, and has shown
rs this morning his commissioner en-
graved and gilded document with royal
purple seal. Also the jeWelled badge Of
his office blazing with diamonds, emerslds
and rubies-genuine, of course. Our boat
is to enter port at New Orleans with ban
ners flying, and all her passengers ranged
on deck. Rex, himself, with his court
leave N. 0. on the morning Of the 10th in
citizens dress, and very quietly make prep
arations for his grand entree, to reign over
his loyal subjects for day. Returning in
masques and royal robes, and bands Of mu
sic, they reach the levee and are received
with acelamation by the waiting thrOng.
Immense boxes and trunks are unloaded as
his baggage and paraded in the procession.
Bands of merry mssqueraders pass through
the streets at intervals ali the day, but the
grandest pageant is at night. Masque balls
are given at different places all over the
city, but these Mardi Gras balls rank
first, and invitations to it are eagerly
sought but hard to obtIin.
Memphis is in sight, and we are to go in
there for an hour or two, so farewell.
Feb. 1st, 1880. MC.W.P.