Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-05-18
ORIGIN OF THE BELL CORD.
"A story OF Savannah Coupled with Some
Chips from Columbus


on Yesterday on the annual pilgrimage t.
the Grand Commandery of knights TEN
plar, met at the depot that mos
excellent gentleman, Col. l.. n. Whittle
one OF the purest men and best lawyer
In Georgia. He was on his way to Mil
ledgeville tolook after the interests of tn,
Insane Asylum, being a member of tn,
Board of Trustees. Col. Whittle is q mem
Der of more boards of trust of benevolen
institutions than any man l know of, anC
IL he has ever failed to guard the interest,
OF any am Ignorant of the fact He Is
clear-headed man, a good thinker and
safe counsellor. Yesterday was his 65tl
birthday, and instead of celebrating it in
the usual style Of the world, he devoted il
10 looking after the comfort and we'll
being of the most unfortunate class OF
beings IN the world. He is serving his
generation well.
In conversation with COL Whittle he
informed me that the Central Road was
the first railroad to introduce that indis.
pensable appendage known as the "bell
lIne," and that he was on the second train
that Went out from Savannah with this
valuable appendage. A Savannah con.
ductor, whose name has escaped me.
bought coil of common plow line rope
and drove iron staples on top of the
freight cars-for all trains in that day
carried freight-thrOugh which he run his
rope, extending back to the passenger
coach. So that Savannah not only sent
the first steamship across the Atlantic,
bnt Savannah ingenuity gave to the rail-
road service one of the most valuable in
yentiOns of the age.
On board the train | met with Col. w.
;. Rockwell, of Savannah, who is Grand
Commander of the knights Templar of
Georgia. He was going over in advance
OF the crowd, to make ready for the grand
cOnclave, which cOnyenes this morning at
10 O'Clock.
As we passed out of the limits of Macon
a well-knOwn voice cried out: ''Jickets,
gentlemen, tickets!' and Conductor Jeter
commenced to take up the little pieces of
pastebOard in the hands Of the pas
sengers. Conductor Jeter is one
the bell rope for twenty years without in
termission. He came from the hills of
Meriwether county to the MuscOgee
Railroad in 1868, while it was in charge
of the late Col. John Mustian. He took
the place made vacant by the resignation
of Conductor Williams, well known in
Savannah and along the line of the Cen
trail Road. The companion train of Mr..
Jeter's, within the past twenty years, has
had nine different conductors. Some of
whom are dead. While so many have
come and gone, Conductor Jeter has
his place and is one of the
most popular now in the service.
The outlook for the coming crop is very
encouraging along the line of road be-
tween here and Macon. Corn is looking
splendidly. The oats, while not so
plentiful, are looking well. In the main,
the fruit about Fort Valley is said to be
very promising.
The run from Macon to Columbus is
very pleasant one, as the road bed is in
splendid condition. Major Shellman is
keeping up his well earned reputation as
a most efficient railroad officer.
On our arrival in this city we were
kindly cared for by Col. Hiram C. Middle
brooks, who has quartered at the Central
Hotel, under the management of John
Ryan, Esq, who knows how to keep a
hotel.> The building is an old one, but the
rooms and table are abundantly supplied.
This is. the headquarters of the Grand
Commander, and all the Savannah Visi-
tors are here.
In company with Mr.. G. r. Barker, of
Macon, l went to see the wonderful rock
dam of the Eagle and Phoenix Factory
across the ChattahOochee. 1t is a splen-
lid piece of engineering skill and most
courtesy of a son of DIR. Ansley, the Presi-
dent, we were shown through the rooms
the manufactured goods. To
one unaccustomed to see such an i'm
mense stock, the amount would
seem fabulous, In one day last
week this establishment sold about
p3OO,OOO worth OF goods. A
thousand cases are to be shipped this
week to St. Louis. This enterprising in
stitution is pushing tsEgOOds throughout
the entire Northwest, and only last week
shipped ten car loads of twilled goods to
san Francisco. This factory employs
:, 1000 operatives, and its pay roll amounts
to $50, 900 per month. | was told that the
operatives alone had on deposit in the
savings bank of this company between
four and five hundred thousand dollars.
1t is novel sight to see this army of peO-
pie, great and small, as they file out of
the gateways in the evening when their
days work is done.
The city is now putting up a system of
electric lights, which will be completed
in a few days. They have an abundant
supply of good water brought from the
Alabama side of the river, a distance OF
five miles. The water is clear and
palatable. The Columbus people are very
proud of it. They have a bell tower on
Broad street, which affords every facility
Of locating fires in any part of the city.
Captain Jim Dense, the truthful, as he
is called, says that every man brought up
before tie Mayor, Hon. Cliff Grimes, is
asked by His Honor: "Have you been up
)n the bell tOwerT" ''No, sir" "Haye
you been to see the water works?' "No,
sir" ''Ten days on the chain gang. sir"
Not wishing to be retained here ten days
we investigated both at our earliest con-
Venience, and are now ready for His
Honor Mayor Grimes.
Palestine COmmandery from Savannah
nave just arrived by special train from
Macon, and were escorted by Cpur de
Lion COmmandery from Atlanta from the
IepOt to this hotel, their quarters during
their stay in the city. The boys look
little weary and dusty from their trip, but
will be ready to fall into line at command
at the hour appointed.
The city is being filled up with visitors
from various points, and at this early
hour it is impossible to secure rooms at
any of the hotels.
Columbus has made every preparation
Tor big crowd and a gay time, and no
lOubt they will have it. The banquet
comes off tomorrow night, and the Sir
knights will leave for home at II O'Clock
1y special train, reaching Savannah by
Friday noon. JACHPLANE.