Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-06-09
BON Aqua.
An Excursion Of MemPhlans 10
Noted and Delightful
r.ft Summer Resort.

Aqua Springs in response to an invi
.ation from the company owning tn
property and running the new hotel q
that place. A car had been set apsr
for their special use, sndWhen thu
baggage was all checked and everybody
was comfortably seated and the mana
gers said it was all right, the train
moved off. A few who were expected
to go on the trip failed to respond, but
still there were over thirty along,
There was no dust and the weather
was delightful. There was an unusu-
ally large stock of elegant lunches on
hand which we're greatly diminished
in the course Of the day. Everybody
was in fine humor and seemed bent
on relaxation and pleasure, and some
who thought there was DO great harm
in a nice little game of euChre, pro-
vided they could pretty generally hap
pen to hold the Yorker, right and left
bower, and few other good trumps.
At Milan few only got out to take
dinner, as the majority had been
lunehing for an hour or two already.
The hotel, by the way, kept by Mr..
Miller, is building Of imposing ap-
pearance and he sets an elegant table.
A number of lawyers we're discovered
waiting for a train to carry them to
Memphis. They had been down to
attend the two Supreme Courts at
Jackson.
1t was noticed all along the route
that crops are very promising. Less
cotton has been planted than usual,
Perhaps the people are finding out that
other crops pay better, especially in a
soil that begins to need fertilizers and
has always deserved deeper blowing
and better cultivation. Local travel
is rather light, which is good sign.
Most Of the people seem to be at work,
though here and there could be seen a
phantom lone fisherman with slender
rod and line on the bank of small
stream or lagoon inviting the
minnows to take a bite. 1t
was a patent fact that these
anglers were all of the colored race,
who enjoy, under the amended Declar-
alton of Independence, the right to
join in the pursuit of happiness and
catfish. Some of them were men and
children; others women, dressed some>
what in Mother Hubbard style and
looking as picturesque as patience on
a log.
The special car, through courtesy
of the railroad officials, was trans
ferred at Mckenzie to the North
western road, as it was formerly
known. What improvements have
been made upon this road since it be-
came part of the Nashville, Chatta-
nooga and st. Louis systeml Not a
great many years ago it was copsid
cred a rough ride from Mckenzie to
Nashville. But under the manage
ment of Ex-Governor Porter, the
President, with J.W. Thomas as Gen
eral Superintendent, and w. L, Dan.
ley as General Ticket and Passenger
Agent, it has been worked up into
first class road; does heavy business
and even completes with lines which,
to say the least, are not much longer.
The bridges and masonry are models
of solidity, and great trains run over
them without jar or tremor. The
roadbed is in excellent oondition-the
rolling stock in good order. The
officials are exceedingly aecommO-
dating, as was proved in more WAYS
than one upon this trip. The con-
ductOr and other employees were very
courteous and attentive; and so it il
proper to say OF those on the other
road. The train reached Dixon about
4 O'Clock in the afternoon, and there
the excursionists were transferred Il
a narrow gauge train, which runs tC
CenterVille, some twenty miles soutl
Of Bon Aqua. The ride to the spring
was a novel sensation to some, if no
all, of the party. The engineer, con
tractor, surveyor or who ever it wa
that laid of this road is a geniu
without rival. The way this roat
winds around farms and throug
bushes, and cuts the pigeon wing anon
the little hills Is constant source
surpriseand wonderment. 1t describe
circles and counter circles wors
than the letter IS" What the obieC
was in ell these zigzags and handspring
no common mind can grasp. III
mdlu COuleO uOWCNCI 10 OVulu, al
after lacking before the wind
various directions for half an hour
so the passengers are safely stoppt
at a station four hundred yards fro
tire Springs. The road, by the wa
was built solid as a rock and regsrdle
of expense. The best of material w
used aud it was put down to sta
The cars are new and cosy, and Il
ride is at once q novelty and Q plea
ure. y
The excursionists were met at Il
station by Col. w. Matt Brown, th
genial host of the Springs. Hacl
we're 10 attendance to convey pRssel
gers, and wagons to transfer the lul
gage. All we're soon under the hosp
table roof Of the spacious and elegal
hotel, and the register had the follow
ing names added:
John 4. Bargasou and wife, T.