Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-10-21
From a staf correspondsnt

YORKTOWN, Va, October 17.-The activity
which is observable everywhere throughout
the encampment and the town is an augury Of
the approach Of the opening day Of the CEN
tennial celebration under the auspices of the
Congressional Commission, and during the
calm which precedes the storm, I have de-
voted the day to noting matters and things
about this quaint little town, which may aptly
be described as a village Of dust and remi-
niscences, an unique, incongruous collection Of
shanties booths. and tents Of every imaginable
size and shape. There is but one street in the
town, which is about a quarter OF g mile
in length, though its limits have apparently
been extended to almost a.mile by the erection
OF the numerous temporary structures by per-
sons who have come here ito make hay while
the sun Shines" and speaking of the sun re-
minds me that the past several days have been
as hot es any l experienced in Savannah dur
ing the summer.
pen picture of Yorktown will, am sure.
prove interesting to your readers, and will
endeavor to draw It, On the landing, which is
about third the front Of the Central Railroad
wharves, the new arrivals are greeted
with the sight of a large frame build
ing .plastered with signs, and bearing
the imposing title of Ocean HOTEL on the
European plan. Adjoining is an old barge, fitted
up as floating hotel, as it were, presenting a
very nondescript appearance, the side being
ADORNED WIN tne ATTRACTIVE title OF 'cheap
lodgings" and 'eating on the European plan "
Leaving the landing and proceeding up the
steep, dusty road dignifed by the name of
street, one sees on either side booths and
shantieS for the entertainment of man and
beast The proprietors Of these resorts In
setting forth the merits Of their establishments
either from touch of the divine affiatus or
unconsciously. dritted on to rhyme, as the
following transcripts of few signs. in letters
Of no particular size or shape, will show. Here
Is one:
This is the spot
Where fresh oysters Is got"
Another pleasantly says:
Gentlemen will walk In here,
And get your cool lager beer''
On several small frames and round tents the
traveller is informed that he can there obtain
''Chepe Logens, while on one unsightly look
ing place there Is an addenda that there are
Accommodations for Ladies" and mo Liquors
Allowed In the amusement line we find
Music Hail." the proprietor of which
modestly asserts in the flaming placard
on the door that "The company
artists on the lyric STAGE" and the verify of
this assertion is demonstrated by the colored
pictures, life size, of two females in abbreviated
skirts and a lavish display of shoulders and
arms, standing on the tips of their toes Another
similar show holds forth in an immense pa
vilion, and both are well patronized. A
sharper, who had put up little eight by ten
shanty, created considerable sensation among
hundreds on the ground, by
putting out large card
lett red in big letters thus: General Cornwall
lis arrived here at 3 p. m, and is now here.
the five cents, and were ushered in to
see in the centre of the room dummy of the
British General in full uniform. At another
place, where five cent chuckaluck is carried
on, patrons are lured in by the following invi-
tation:
'Step in and see
The statue Of General Lee
Admission free"
Then there are several places where those
who thirst for gore, so to speak, have the op-
portunity Of shooting at an effigy Of Guiteau,
at the rate of a cent shot, or six for FIVE
ceuts The curious student OF the abnormal
in nature can also see the five legged COW and
the six legged OK alive" for the small sum Of
ten cents.
The court house is converted into a hotel on
the European plan, and in the front of this
judicial structure on the sidewalk is placed
barber chair, and at all hours during the day
the tonsorial artist may be seen plying his pro-
fession. All these places are plastered over
with signs flags and various decorations Civ
ing them an exceedingly variegated appear
ance, the decorators displaying a wonderful
disregard of the unity OF colors.
CORVALLIS cave, which is located
under the bluff, about four hundred
curiosity, and is visited by hundreds
of people. Whether it was really the refuge Of
CornwalllS or not is mOOted question. The
cave was possibly the resort of snugglers, and
this seems to be the general impression; but,
as this is the time for "reminiscences and relics,
it serves as well to secure interest for the cave
by giving it this history. The gentleman WHO
has leased it, Mr.. Wesley G, Armistead, Of
Richmond, Of whom have briefly
spoken in a previous letter, makes
no claim as to the authenticity of the
legend. but relates the particulars for the
benefit of the visitors hundreds of whom i'm
plicitly believe it
Tomorrow is anticipated with great interest,
as the President and Cabinet, members of Con-
gress and suites are expected; also the French
feet and the delegation of French and German
notables. The corner stone of the monument
is to be laid by the Masonic fraternity to-mor-
row at noon on the site Of the surrender and
large platforms have been erected for the ac-
commodatton OF spectators and for the Ma
sonic fraternity.
The Associated Press have two first class
men here, and have made arrangements to
send a very full synopsis of the proceedings,
hence / will not use the wires except in case of
special moment affecting our own city or State,
and will confine my letters to such matters as
will be of interest, and which will not be
touched upon by the Associated Press.
There have been a few cases of malarial
fever developed to-day, but several of the regi-
ments have surgeons with them, and are we'll
supplied with quinine and other medical
stores. There is prospect Of a
we will probably have good rousing rain be-
fore the celebration closes At present it is
as warm during midday as in the heat of sum-
mer The dews are very heavy at night and
the fogs In the morning very dense and rarely
lift before ten O'Clock. B. a. R.