Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-05-03
TIE MAJORS FARM.
A Journalists Progress I'm the
BasA and Potato Business.
JOIN Heln. in Morri.tovn aalstts.

John Helms in MOrristown Gazette
For A long while we have been
under a promise to Major Henry Heiss,
late the accomplished and successful
managing editor of the Nashville
American, as we'll as to DR.. Peck and
Green Allen, who preceded him years
ago in rendering popular and famous
the model mountain hostelry, where
he has established bis headquarters,
to spend a day or two with them. The
hamlet made famous by this trio is
nestled under the shadows of the
mountain crsgs that overhang
Wolf Greek, Cooke county, Tenn.
Thursday Of last week, found us
with more leisure than is usually al
lotted TO us, and Thursday noon we
were guest of Green Aliens, espe-
cially consigned to the care of that
noble woman and model landlady,
Mrs. Cowan. la every particular was
our stay at this house a delightful
one. It's famous cuisine and elegantly
furnished table, prepared under the
supervision and presided over by Mrs,
Cewan-if the truth must be told
was about as stirring an appeal to US
to make the visit as was the desire to
again meet our old correspondent,
"Sawbones," and to catch bass or
two with Heiss. There's SO much
on this head we'd like to say. But,
gracious, as its memory occurs to us,
the particulars shadow themselves up
and down Wolf creek, out on theriver
and all along the line as do the happy
memories of boyhood.)
The fishing was glorious-for Heiss.
he gave us reel and when he had
time from his own machinery he did q
noble part-probably the best he could
to secure the bass monster that pre-
ferred our bill Of fare to his 1t is as
tonishing-aye, incomprehensible--to
run the rural visitor TO realize what
Heiss knows about taking bass. There
is not an eddy or lodged rock hole in
Wolf Creek-and we make the asser-
ton from recent, and very patient
observation-that Heiss cant tell The
exact number Of bass it contains, theil
enormous size, and Just how soon they
will come upon the table.
But alas, genius is ever cratic
Major Heiss prides himself on his az
ricultural achievements. Reared up
as we have been, at the feet Of tina
Gamaliel of Agricultural erudition
Colonel c. W. Carlton, it is due to hi
teachings that we do not express il
this hurried note that admiration
for Heiss agricultural pretention
that less independent and truthfu
journalist might indulge in. Piscato
rally, Heiss is genuine success. A
an earth producer, we have our doubts
We tried our best to CLEAN somethin
on this point from DR.. Peck and Gree
Allen. Green declined any interview
complaining of not feeling we'll, AM
not being able to accompany us t
Heiss' farm. DIR. Peck we found wit
meerschaum in mouth. and a numbe
Of leading daily papers on his Lar
We expressed an ardent desire, ii
the absence of Major lIeiss, VIII
was then In the upper pools OF tn
creek, with a fly hook, fishing for min
now bait, for our evening entertain
ment), to be shown his farm Yer
deliberately the Doctor lowered hi
newspaper and displaced the pip
from his lips. Here, indeed, was
man Of whom any interviewer migt
be proud. "Yes, sir, will show it
you" said the grave, gigantic ma
He led and we followed across
frightfully rustic bridge, to six pan
rail fence, on the west side of Il
creek, encompassing half an acr
more or less. Upon a panel of tn
structure the Doctor settled himsel
motioning US to a corner where '
could have a comfortable overlool
We stood a moment, gazing
awe over the domain and capacil
Of the farm. The Doctor again n
moved his pipe and giving his pipe hal
await around the patch and fixing b
eyes on ours, he said: There's Il
damned thing you want to seel Loo
at it carefully. 1t is really VALUABLE
Mi God, sir, you nor any Of HeiS
friends know how he was agonizS
over that dam truck patch. Asit
from the cost Of his potatoes, he spel
two lays and nights in cutting the
into proper agricultural dimension
Dam the fellow that follows eternal
the moon. Heiss has nothing but p
tatoes-not dam thing but potatOt
And now, every morning, if you W
take the trouble to watch, you W
fnd Heiss somewhere around Il
patch to see whether his potatoes ha
come up That is, sir, whether 4
dam razor back hogs have root
them por not. )"