The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1883-05-17
NEW IRISH POTATOES,
GEORGIA PRESS CONVENTION.
A Visit to Athens and Tallulah Falls

A Visit to Athens and Tallulah Falls.
The editors of the Georgia Press Conven-
ton have reason to be glad that they met
in Athens last Wednesday week, for. after
transacting the usual routine of business,
they were taken in hand by the citizens of
that classic city and given such royal re
ception as has seldom been extended to the
press at any place of their annual meetings.
On Wednesday afternoon carriages were
at the Commercial Hotel, ready to convey
the editors over the city. This opportuni-
ty was improved, and with Wisconsin" of
Verbeck, Kinnebrew of Danielsvile. and
Stone of Athens, we drove through the
clearly streets to prominent points, out to
stock farms, taking in the pretty cemetery
uncovered ON the banks of the Oconee
river, and returned to the city by attractive
thoroughfares.
Athens is scattered over good deal of
territory. has about 5000 population, and
is prosperous and growing surrounded as
it is by rich agricultural and mineral coun-
ties, which are being tapped by new rail
roads that will prove tributary in emptying
their vast treasures into it's lap. Again
Athens is not only prettily situated, but is
one of the Oldest and wealthiest cities in
Georgia. 1t escaped the invading army of
Sherman in its onward march to the sea
with the destroying torch, consequently
much of the old time style of architecture
in palatial residences stand out prominently
amid beautiful and tasty flower yards, yet
modern constructive genius has not been
idle. but throughout the city it is represent
ed by magnificent residences that for beau
ty and elegance cannot be surpassed in the
South. While Athens is an old place, it is
not to be imagined that its men of wealth
are foggyish, and that sluggish blood clogs
the arteries of commercial enterprises on
the contrary it has enough successful bust
ness young men, full of vim and energy, who
use plenty of printers ink, to keep the
trade of the city in the forefront of business
activity
Athens is not only famous for its institu-
tons of learning and its thrifty mills and
factories, but has acquired additional noto-
riety in having the handsomest % and one
OF the ablest editors in the State, in the per
son of T. L Gantt-whose physique is small
but whose large heart beats to the music of
every generous and noble impulse, whether
it is in making Congressman and Cover
nors or in entertaining Georgia editors.
The Daily Banner Waterman, as edited by
him, is an honor to Athens, and will double
her importance in the eyes of the reading
and thinking public. The Athens Chroni-
Gle, by the Messrs, Stone, is another meri-
torions publication, worthy of generous
patronage.
For princely hospitality, Athens is held
in no miser's grasp, but il is unstinted.
open>handed and open hearted. This was
additionally exemplifed when Superinten.
dent Bernard of the Northeastern Railroad
extended an invitation to Tallulah Falls,
which as taken Thursday morning on a
special train, accompanied by representative
men of Athens, such as Mayor O'Farrell,
Capt. Talmage W. II. Hodgson, H. L.
Crawford, W. B. Thomas and others.
These gentlemen were untiring in their
efforts to contribute to the pleasures OF the
press gang.
The arrival of the train at the "Grand
Chasm" was the signal for sight seeing.
While the throbbing engine stood on the
side of the brink of the yawning chasm
whose awful depth was sublimely grand,
our optics eagerly took in the fascinating
scenery nature had so profusely lavished in
beauteous verdure, bright hued flowers,
rugged walls, misty cascades and rushing
river, while lowering clouds and golden
sunshine blend in splendor, thus enchant'
ing the senses until one is 10th to leave
when the engine whistles for departure.
Tallulah Falls, near by is but continue
ton of natures wonderful work, on an
enlarged and grander scale, and in rapt
wonder " viewed and in flowing perspira
ton we explored until we reached the base
of the falls, where the maddening waters
in its deafening roar dashed over mammoth
rocks and churned it's liquid clearness in to
foamy whiteness as it swept on to its home
in the great Deep Truly there abounds in
and ar Jund Tallulah Falls enough to interest
and instruct the visitor for months, without
becoming satiated in drinking in its beauty
and grandeur
Descending from the Devils Pulpit" to
the bottom OF the precipice, distance OF
over three hundred feet, and ascending its
tortuous, rugged path to the summit again,
gave one a keen relish for the sumptuouS
banquet, spread near the cars by the good
citizens of Athens. Indeed we never saw
a hungrier crowd But they were not equal
to the quantity and variety spread before
item, which in serving proved to be
feast of solids and liquids, cream and fruits.
while inspiring music by the band filled
the soul.
We left Tallulah Falls and Athens not
only gratified and pleased, but feeling that
it was good to have been there. We shall
ever remember the kindness and hospitality
oftha citizens of the classic CITY