Knoxville daily chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1882, 1882-02-21

Mr. EDITOR: As have arrived at my
destination, thought would drop you
few lines to LET you and your patrons know
that I had got safe beyond the flood.
The day I left you 1 was not taken to the
top of an exceeding high mountain and the
kingdoms of the world shown me, but BY
Democrat teachings they took me to them
from the sovereignty of Tennessee to
Alabama, thence to several historic places,
such as Corinth, Shiloh, Grand junction,
ETC. We then left those kingdoms and
struck something of north course. Dark
ness then prevailed in the land, but we
kept going, though could not see which
way But in due time light appeared. We
entered the great sovereignty of Kentucky.
All through this day most of the lands were
covered with water, but the cars rolled on.
Near 10 o'clock the day after left Knox
vile we hove in sight of what looked to be
world of water. A dove could have found
dry place to set its foot-not on the
ground. but on trees and high bushes Yet
| was not scared, for believed those who
had brought me safe thus far would not
drive into deeper water than we could safely
pass.
At or near II o'clock next day from Knox
vile we halted at the great River Ohio,
at Cairo. After passing some six miles in
water, when we could see no land ON either
side of us, could see smoke and steam
from something 1 could not tell what, but
was informed by some one more knowing
than myself, that it was the boat that was
to carry US over the rolling waves. I ex-
pected, if that was the fact, we would be
!, forc ond in1oo1 II oI
impossible for that which resembled any
thing earthly, to ever do SO. But whistle
and puff, and on went the boat and part
of the cars. Another whistle, and on went
myself and the rest of the coaches. This
thing, with all on it. sunk not, but gave
few death like groans, and away it went,
carrying its burden up the rolling current.
In few minutes more, whistle, and our
cars stood in the great State of Illinois,
ready, at the next whistle, to start again. l
think in about 80 or 40 minutes from the
time we arrived on the south bank, we
landed on the north bank, ready to go on.
This was some minutes after IL O'Clock.
Near II o'clock the whistle blew, and we
went through water for some miles. We
then left the valley of the river and started
through the State of Illinois. Nothing oc-
CURED, only some strange appearances in
dress, &c. Some gents with hats looking
something like bee-gums; others, with
caps, which reminded one of some who had
forgotten to bring their hats with them.
Some ladies had ON hats which, if they
had not been black, would have been not
much unlike the hornets nest with the en-
trance behind.
have only time and space to say that Il
linois is beautiful country, well cultivated.
This was next day after leaving Knoxville.
That night just at dark was informed that
we were on the great bridge at st Louis
Then came wonders: l was soon informed
that we were in the tunnel, yet we were not
in darkness, for close behind us was great
| light, which looked something like the sun
in the mouth of a great iron hogshead with
something in it like black jug. 1 suppose
it was not one of the walls of the wrath of
God. l wish every man, woman and
child of Campbell County could see it it
was the electric light. 1 was soon called
from the car and ushered into building
near Union depot. I wish could describe
| the appearance of things at this place. Don't
laugh while try: A large building with q
counter on two sides to eat off of; the lights,
| some as bright as little suns, some common
lamps. Two things hanging from the plas
tering overhead looked white, were some
well blown OK bladder filed with something
which shone with white rays. They looked
like they might have been filed with con
| densed moonshine, all as bright within
| the walls as MONDAY. Let me here say
that no deist need ever use the argument
| that there is not birthstone sufficient to
make an eternal hell, for a sufficient amount
| of electricity could make very good place
of torment without any birthstone.
! But I must leave this place and go back
and see all again, and try to more fully
describe it. In some forty-fve minutes we
were on the cars for Fayetteville, Arkansas !;
| left the lights and wonders and still more
painful, left my faithful friend and relative,
Cleon Berry, of Nebraska, who had attended
me more like a son than stranger or dis
tant relative. Darkness again prevailed
but on we went. Light came in due time
and found us III Northwestern Missouri. The
country looked rather poor, and, where not
cultivated, was covered thickly with brush
/ About 8 or 9 o'clock in the morning we had
to stop, on account of the cars before US
having, by some means, become crushed on
the track, which was cleared away in some
two hours. At 2 o'clock in the evening l
landed at Fayetteville, Ark, having been on
the road from Knoxville some 6fty-four
hours.
Now, dear captain, 1 say to my Campbell
County friends and elsewhere who read
your paper (and all ought to read it }, that l
stood my trip well, and am now in good
health.
Receive to yourself my best wishes
JOHN JONES