Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-07-11
THE STEAMBOAT EXCURSION.


The steamer left the wharf shortly
after eight o'clock with something
over one hundred people aboard. The
misty rain that fell all the morning
didn't dampen the ardor of the ex-
cursionistsor detract from the pleasure
they were bent on having out OF the
trip. There were all ages and conii-
tons or people ON board and every
body was IN good humor.
The crowd was increased at Trices
landing by number OF people from
New Providence. At Palmyra and
CorbandaIe we took on some Clarks-
williams who had gone to those places
to picnics and afterwards concluded
TO participate IN the excursion. -
II Two of those magical musicians
with violin and harp from the land of
dates and olives, mores commonly
designated Dagoes, were on the boat
when it left GAINESVILLE, and this or
chestra, so 10 speak. was excelerated
by @fddlers three" who joined US at
New Providence. - as 9 Rtttf
The trip down the Cumberland
was very delightful The scenery
along the banks is romantic enough
to challenge the eye. of the artist and
has been protrayed in one of the
leading pictorial magazines Of the
country. Itwould probably be more
ruggedly pieturesqueat another season
of the year when the limestone bluffs
and huge projecting powders would
come prominently into VIEW. The
dense foliage that covers everything
now hdesa great deal that would add
attractiveness to the scene when placed
on canvass. If the country from here
to Dover was as well improved as that
which lies between New York and
Albany, there are parts of the Cumber-
land that would well rival the palis-
AIDES and highlands of the Hudson.
An occasional chateau on one of the
peaks that overlook the river would
add immensely to the scenic effect
Steamboat riding is always pleasant.
An extended "trip on a well appointed
steamer is pretty much in the nature
Of prolonged picnic. Whena trav-
eler with plenty of time at his COM
mand gets aboard first class steam
boat and don't feel a kind OF regret
that the hurrying, scurrying, busting.
rustling. railroads were ever invented,
has no more sensibility than a log.
The passengers amused themselves
in various ways. Some of the cold
stagers" converted the cabin into a
card room and enjoyed games of
whist and euchre. The young
people made a ball room out OF
he lower deck and tripod the
light fantastic to the seductive strains
II that Italian band. A great many
.ook seats on the guards, the more
hardy on the deck, to enjoy the seem
cry. Some young gentlemen had
provided themselves with target rifles
md passed the time in practicing their
on birds and various
objects that appeared in the river. At
Palmyra one of them tried his aim on |
an old grey goose he saw way over
1onder" desporting itself in the
waters. The shot proved too true
md the Aquatic bird wis not in
crested in the subsequent proceed
ngs. We hear that the marksnan hats
iince learned that the goose belonged
% worthy widow who lives at Pal
nyra and has accompanied her for
he loss of her property.
There is house standing at Cum
,erland rolling mills, near Dover, in
which Hon. John Bell, the distinguish |
d Wing leader and candidate for the |
i'll 1860, once lived. Some
If the passengers kept look out Tor
he house but were never satisfied that
hey saw the right residence.
Mr.. McCormac, the photographer
lad his camera on board and took
everal views of the scenery along
he river by the instantaneous process.
Dinner was served on the boat in /
he regularmanner to those wished
o take their midday meal iii that
ashton. But most of the excursion
SITS had come out for Il picnic and
arried out all the particulars neces-
airy for such program. They spread
he contents of their baskets on inn
,rovised tables on the lower deckand
njoyed fine repast-
H. AT FORT DoNEISON. ri
The steamer reached its destination
bout 1880 o'clock. 1t was deemed
to 90 ashore because OF
he Indictment weather and, therefore.
10 landing was made. What remains
4 the old fort is very much over
.rown with trees and shrubs and one
would not suppose 1t to be a place
where a great battle had been fought,
boxing on from the river, Ww L
The flag staff of the national ceme-
cry could be seen in the distance
narking one of those beautiful resting
'laces the government has provided
Or those who died fighting for the
Union. 1t is impossible for South
rner to look on this lovely metropolis,
nd the many others that dot the
'outh, and not heave sigh for the
ifferent condition of the gallant con-
ederates who died at the same time
s the dwellers in those silent cities.
"Their bones are bleaching on many a
lonely plain
Their hollow eyes beseeching burial fOF
Monumental, vain"
Capt. Thos. Smith of this city, who
ras one of the soldiers who surren-
cred at Fort Donelson, became an !
beet of interest when the fort was ,