The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-01-15
Observations In Monroe.

Editor Spirit Democracy:
We have often heard strange, wild ,.ex.
citing stories abont the "dsrk hills Of
Moaroe, her towering peaks and deep
favines, massive rocks and ever green
pines, until IN our imagination we could
almost gee the whole panorams. In our
fancied vision we could see little streams
gushing from the mountains and leaping
over rocks and bluffs in wild, mad fury
until lost In the bosom OF the beautiful
Ohio River.
/ And being desirous OF rest s0d recre-
alton, altar the toll OF farm life was over
for the season, We concluded to visit the
Romantic scenery OF Monroe, thinking
lour rambles would almost equal Selkirk's
fen the lonely island OF Juan Fernanies,
when ,he said the sound of the church
fgoing bell these valleys and rocks never
heard. Although S. years Of age, yet
Oiled With wild enthusiasm. we boarded
train on the morning of the 20,h inst,
on the G L. & W. Ry, for Bridgeport,
arrived on time, took street car for
Wheeling and was soon on board the
steamer Diurnal, 10y the way. she has a
noble crew, gentlemanly officers and
plenty OF good hash in due time we
landed at the long wished for port-Sar.
dis, where friends met us with warm
greetings and we were soon ensconced
for the night 10 splendid quarters
The sequel: Some persons having
more gab than brains have exaggerated
about the county and her citizens. Our
object in writing up this little sketch is
to correct some vague stories and ideas
about your. county, its resources, DC.
True, Monroe has some large hills, but
they are fertile, producing luxuriant
grasses, and so far as our observation
extended they are we'll husbanded. Those
bills were formed by an All.wise Crea-
tor who pronounced all His works good,
and we don't propose to change Heav-
ems mandate.
For the sake Of brevity we shall for
the present confine our sketch to Sardis
Situated as it is, midway between Mari
eta and Bellaire, with the advantages Of
river navigation, with boat landing sec.
ond to none between that point and
Wheeling, and the divergence of wagon
rosds, and in consideration OF the fact
that within twelve months the iron horse
will be screaming and snorting through
her midst, We predict much brighter days
for Sardis in the near future. Her citi
zens are making some substantial i'm
provements. We believe it would be a
good point for college, aud at this cri-
sis in her history newspaper, we'll edi-
ted, would be move in the right direc
lion. -,
We have travelled from the little State
of Delaware to the broad prairies of the
West, from the cold regions OF Canada
to the sunny South. and we have never
met more courteous people than We
found il Sardis. In conclusion we ten.
der our thanks to her citizens for their
hospitality, and in particular to the
young people for the entertainment given
ns at our rooms on the evening Of the
26th inst And If any mother who has
a darling son or daughter (unmarried)
should chance to read this article we
would advise such mother not to let her
children 60 to Sardis unless she wants
them to 60 into partnership for life
In our nightly visions since our return
home we still see that Christmas tree la
den with beautiful presents, and see those
anxious little faces beaming with delight,
and hear the sweet strains of vocal and
instrumental music OF Christmas eve
floating away on the gentle breezes Of
the night.
On our next round we propose to take
In Woodsfeld. Respectfully,
L. IS CAPLEs.
Dec. 81. 1888. Urichsville, Ohio.