Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-18
A VISIT TO LIBERTY HALL.
CRAWFORDVILLE A THOROUGH.
LY ANCIENT TOWN.

Gov. stephens Fame the Towns Pride
The Old House About as it was When
its Great Occupant was AIive-Short
Stops at Other Georgia Towns.
CRAwFORDvILLE, GA, Aug. To-
Every admirer of the late Alexander Ste-
phens is anxious to make pilgrimage to
Liberty Hall. Among the number of pill
grims recently was the writer. The first
impression on arrival at Crawfordville is
one of disappointment. The town is an
old one. The idea appears to nave pre-
vailed from the first improvements that it
was finished. Nobody has had the cour-
age to doubt this opinion or change
the status of affairs. One new
house and few buildings repaired con-
stltute the improvements Of the last de-
| cade.
There are some very clever and intelli-
gent people here. Some charming Young
ladies passing on the streets relieve the
dull monOtOny.of the scene. Business is
dull, and numbers could be seen around
the pool tables and playing draughts on
the sidewalks. There are some good
stores, with splendid stocks of goods. To-
day, the citizens say, has been an excep-
tionai dull day. This fact, taken in CON
nectlon with the unpainted buildings,
and the dilapidation apparent everywhere.
was calculated to impress the pilgrim
unfavOrably. There was but one tails
man that would arouse the average citi-
zen from his dreamy indifference,
and that was the name of
Little Aleck." They never tire
of discanting upon his virtues and proudly
point to the plain, unpretentious building,
almost hid by the grove of locusts, on the
distant hill as the home of the Great Com
moner. To an unsOphisticated stranger the
impression is made that these people
bank largely on Mr.. Stephens reputation.
There are some industries here which are
worthy of all cOmmendatiOn. There is
an excellent gin factory, from whence
some of the best machines in the State
are sent out. Messrs. Andrews tE Jones
get up an excellent paper, the Democrat.
THE WRITER BELIEVING A TRIP
to Liberty Hall would be best en-
jOyed alone, wended his way
thither unaccompanied. There was
more time to look upon the scenes
that had become part of the life of one of
Georgia's greatest statesmen; more OPP
pOrtunity to mediate upon those things
which employed one of the greatest minds
of the day. 1t is one of the remarkable
characteristics of human nature that sim
plicity is the charm Of the truly great
OstentatOn belongs to the vulgar and the
wOuld-be patriot, Here simplicity reigns
supreme. The house is modelled after the
old Southern residence, with its long pi-
azza iE front and wide hall through the
centre. / was met very cordially bY Mrs.
Cory, a niece of the dead statesman, and
conducted through the apartments open
for public inspection.
The parlor and MI. Stephens bed.
room remain just as he left them when
he went to occupy the more luxurious
apartments in the Governors mansion.
Everything comfortable and substantial,
but there were no tinsel ornaments. When
the good lady threw open the library room
| was surprised that such an extensive
collection had not been secured by some
of our public libraries, not only because
of its ASSOCIATIONS, but because of its real
merit. 1t was purchased by Col. John A.
Stephens, who, no doubt, would dispose of
it to some public institution on reasona-
BILE terms. The Stephens Memorial Asso-
citation, through the efforts of Miss Gay
and Mr.. Meyers, of Augusta, purchased
the buildings and grounds, and the furni-
ture IN the parlOr and bedroom.
They did not feel able to purchase
the entire property as it stood. 1t is a
great misfortune that they were not able
TO do so. Sitting on the broad piazza and
looking down over the lawn in front of the
house l gave free reign to imagination.
Here the great man had Ofttimes sat, and
gazed in wondering admiration upon
these same trees, and the sloping lawn.
until every object became to him ami
mated with life. and as familiar as his
own thoughts. Here he sat and heard
the songs Of praise that went up from the
humble Methodist chapel that stands in
the left corner of the yard, which had
been erected in accordance with his
wishes. L was aroused from my revere
with the consciousness that that which
made this spot grand and great was no
longer here. The mortal was held
in rock-bound tomb in the
cemetery in Atlanta, while that
which made the man great and grand
had entered into the pale realm beyond,
where, untettered by frail mortality, he
lives the real life awarded to the just.
Slowly the writer wended his way
through the long avenue of shade and
passed out into the outer world. The
little village of unpainted houses was
soon left behind, and only the memories
OF the day remain.
THE CROPS ALONG THE GEORGIA
from Atlanta to this point are the poorest
l have seen during a months travel. On
the Athens branch they are very fine and
this is true also along the Washington
branch road. In this immediate section
they have not had good rain since the
first week in July.
Athens, with its spirit of progress and
tempted hills, suggests an air of thrift
and cOntentment that would lure the pill
grim to rest and enjoyment. This one,
however, being indisposed, was unable to
take in the charms of the ancient city. 1t
has been 10 years since [ looked upon the
college campus, and 1t is the most famil-
lar scene in all the city. Editor CAN'T |
has given the Athenians one of the live |
liest daily papers in the State. His let |
ters on the editorial excursion are COM
mended by many. My stay was short,
and turned reluctantly away from
scenes in which had anticipated much
pleasure.
A hurried trip to the old town of Lex
ingtOn and few moments only with the
Echo man, hurried forward to spend the
night at Washington, in Wilkes county.
Every foot of ground about it is historic.
The town has not only become famous be-
cause it is the home of one of the grandest
men Georgia has ever produced, Gen.
Robert Toombs, but during the closing
days of the late COnfederacy some re-
markable occurrences took place. Look
ing out from the Arnold House door the
frame building stands where the last
Cabinet meeting of the Southern Confede-
racy was held. From here the
government officers scattered, and
the world has long since learned
the result. Near here the wagons con-
tanning the government gold were aban-
dOned and the suspicion still fingers with
many that much OF the treasure lies buried
yet in this vicinity. Here the Baptists are
building an elegant brick church-one
of the finest in the State. Here is the
Catholic Orphan Asylum and their Fe-
male College. Near here is Sharon, the old
est Catholic diocese in Georgia. There are
some OF the lOveliest homes here that can
be found in the county. There are many
other attractions, but time and space fail
me, and so l must hasten On to Thomson.
JACK PLANE.
RLACK Jack LR