Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-06-21
Nntes uf Trarel.
A VISIT TO TEXAS.

tIDll 1V lEAt1Os
Notes and Observations on the Advantages and
Disadvantages of the Lone Star State.
In fulfillment of desire long entertained
to visit the great State OF Texas, on the
morning of the 4th of last month, accom-.
panied by our "better-half," we left York
Vile. via Chester, for Charlotte, from which
latter point we could avail ourself Of the ex-
cursion rates offered by the railroad compa-
nies to persons who wished to visit Texas
on the occasion of the meeting of the South.
ern Baptist Convention, which assembled
at Waco, on the 9Th of May. In undertak-
ing the trip, we had two objects in view,
one of which was to visit kindred who had
made their homes in Texas the other, to
see the country and things of which we had
read and heard SO much.
On arriving at Charlotte, we were met at
the Airline railroad depot by Rev: o. r:
Gregory, the pastor of the Charlotte Baptist
Church. Mr.. Gregory, who is one OF the
secretaries of the Southern Baptist Conven-
ton, having given public notice that he
would make the necessary arrangements for
all who desired his services in connection
with the trip, and having availed ourself OF
his kind offer, we found that he had dis
charged the trust in a manner so very satls-
factorily, that we had nothing to do except
await the time fixed for the departure OF
the train for Atlanta.
After spending few hours with the fam
ily of our hospitable friend, Mr.. I. 4. Ma
gill, we went on board the sleeping-car
which had been provided to take our party
through to New Orleans without change.
When we started from Charlotte, att o'clock
on Saturday morning, we found as our com,
panions, Maj. John w. Wilkes and lady, OF
Chester county; Rev. o. F. Gregory, Col. G.
and Master Jennings Kerr, of Charlotte ;
Mr.. B. Wilkinson and lady, of Robson
county, N. c.; Rev. DIR. w. A. Nelson, and
Dr. McBrayer, of Shelby, N. c.. Mr.. Rob
ert Steele, of Rockingham county, n. C.,
besides a number of other persons with
whom we have no acquaintance.
At Gafney City, we were joined by Rev.
w. L. Brown, who will be remembered as
having preached to the Baptist congrega-
tions Of Union and Yorkville churches last
year. Spartanburg was reached about day
light, and Greenville an hour and halt
later, at each of which places accessions
were made to the party. At the several
points along the route, where other roads
connect with the Airline, we received
additions, and by the time the train arrived
Atlanta was reached at 1.30 P. M, dis
tance of 276 miles from Charlotte, which
was made in about twelve and half hours.
There IS minutes were allowed in which
to get dinner and shift the cars to the track
of the Atlanta and West Point Railroad,
when we were off again. Montgomery,
1T miles from Atlanta, was reached at 1855
p. M. At the former place an attempt was
made to get supper; but the attempt re-
suited in dismal failure to great many OF
the passengers, ourself.. among the number,
for the reason that sufficient preparation
had not been made for the Unexpectedly
large crowd. Night having closed in, we
were soon comfortably ensconced in our
berth, and in short time were oblivious OF
our Surroundings until Mobile, lSO miles
from Montgomery, was reached at 4.lo on
Sunday morning.
But a short stop was made, and before it
was sufficiently light to more than distin-
guish that we were in a city, we had passed
beyond it's limits. After leaving Mobile,
the country is low and fiat and the soil is
sandy and poor. We soon entered what, tor
time, appeared to be an endless pine forest,
with few indications of the country being
inhabited, except an occasional railroad sta.
tion with few houses in sight, steam lum.
ber mills at intervals along the road, and
small herds Of cattle grazing on the short
and dry looking grass with which the ground
was covered.
At 7.4s, Bay St. Louis, Miss, was reached
Here it was announced that twenty minutes
would be allowed in which to get breakfast
The time was ample, but in consequence OF
the large demand and the small supply OF
breakfast, we Jared as we did at Montgome.
ry, and were compelled to content OurSel1
nf q
lunch-table. At the expiration of the time
allowed for breakfast, we were en- route
again, and were soon skimming along to-
ward New Orleans, travelling for mile after
mile on embankments across the marshes
and over bridges and trestles that have beer
constructed across the numerous SWampS
lakes and bayous on the route. AS the trair
sped along, alligators could be seen in large
numbers, some with their noses protrudine
above the water, and others lying On the
banks of the swamps contiguous to the rail
road embankments, or basking in the sun
shine on driftwood and logs.
reached at $40 A. NJ. Arrangements hav
ing been made for such of the party as de
sired to do so to remain in New Orleans un
til IL NJ, on Monday, we decided to avail
ourself Of the privilege.
w
fore leaving home, on the arrival Of thu
train at New Orleans, we were met at th'
depot by Mr.. Robert G. Kerr, who was {
resident of Yorkville from July, 1888, X
November, 1884, and an old friend of ou
parents. We were soon at the residence 0
our parents friend, where we were intro
duced to his sister. There we soon felt a
home, and after short rest and the necessa
ry change of apparel, we accompanied ou
hosts to the Memorial Presbyterian Church
where we had the pleasure of listening to
well-prepared and well-delivered sermon b,
the pastor, Rev. Mr.. Finn, founded on TIN
9TH verse of the 4th chapter of Matthew
"It is written, Man shall not live by breat
alone, but by every word that prOceedeti
out of the mouth of God"
Immediately after the conclusion of tn
service, we returned to the residence of ou
friend, where we partook of the first squar
meal we had eaten since leaving Atlanta OF
the previous day. At night we ATTENDED
service at the Coliseum Place Baptist Church
and listened to an excellent sermon, deliv
cred by Rev. O. F. Gregory, of Charlotte
NC.
Just here we will take occasion to men
ton that Our hosts. Mr.. Robert G.. Kerr an,