Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-03-10
DOWN SOUTH.
What n Register Correspondent Saw On
the Way to New Orleans.
go.riaI c,-rsr,,osfeus, offAs R>,ist>r

What Register Correspondent Saw On
the Way to New Orleans.
Special Correspondence eftae Regiss~.
New ORLEANS, La, March 6.-Forty-6ye
hours riding over steel rails lands resid snt
of Wheeling in the Crescent City, one thous-
ard miles from home. The first place our
train reaeh,d in Kentucky was Ludlow.
Passing here about one hundred miles from
the Ohio river. the blue grass fields Of Ken
tucky present themselves. Stock raisers at
Lexington and Georgetown pride themselves
as the owners Of the finest line Of cattle IN
the country. During the night High Bridge
was passed over. This structure spans the
valley Of the Kentucky river and the river
ITSELF and is 3CS feet high. The State is
gently rolling. Skipping along the Tenne-
see is now in order. For the first time the
old Southern plantations with their little
log huts, remnants of days before the war,
are seen from the car window. Most OF
these taIms are poorly kept and the house
of the owner almost invariably presents q
very shabby appearance. Many Of the old
chaps have never been fully on
their feet since the great war
between the Confederates and Federals.
Chattanooga, Team.
I was surprised when l had the city
thoroughly explained TO me BY the city
editor of the Chattanooga Daily Times
The place is almost entirely surrounded by
line of mountains and high hills among
which are Missionary Ridge and Lookou,
Mountains The former is not high but
three miles Of road have to be travelled TO
reach the top of the latter. Both noun
tains are additions to the history of the
rebellion. From Lookout Meuntain the
Federals shelled the city with disastrous re-
suits. II was small place thea, but nov
has population Of 25,00o, an increase oi
inhabitants of over 100 per cent. in the last
four years. The development Of the coal and
iron fields has brought about the great
change. II is well known that the pig iron
of Tennessee and Alabama has become a
great competitor Of the iron OF the North,
Last summer iron was shipped TO the
Northern States from the South and sold at
less price than it could be manufactured
right at its destination the heavy freight
charges included. 1t was an eye opener
for some of the iron merchants, and num-
Der OF them found it hastily convenient to
try the experiment down here themselves.
The consequence is that the city OF Chatta-
nooya has rapidly matured and is thrlv-
ing place You say, how is it that they
make their iron so cheap? The secret is
plain. One fifth Of the population OF Chat
tanc oga are darkies, who work steadily at
low wages. None Of them make ovet
81 so cents per day, while large numbers
are employ ed at IS cents. They constitute
the larger part Of the laboring class OF the
city and by their exertions iron is produced at
remarkably low figures. Eight railroads
pass through the place, some OF them having
large shops, which give employment to hun
dreds. The manufactures are OF various
kinds. and all are running. The city is con-
tinually growing. A glass house in this
section would pay as for thousands OF miles
not one of them is seen; in fact the only
glass house of the South that know Of is
at Mobile Alabama. The city is in the
hands of the Republicans, but the county is
Democratic.
After leaving Chattanooga the next place
of importance along the Cincinnati South
ern road is Birmingham, Ala. This city
has abundance of iron ore and coal, and
about l., 900 inhabitants inside Of the cor
pora,ion. Most Of the iron works are stu
ated outside OF the city, where there are
about 10, 900 residents. All through Ala
bama rich iron ore deposits may be seen
Louisiana is furnished her coal from this
section.
Birmingham
Is about 600 miles south of Columbus The
weather when passed through WAS incle
ment and it was very chilly. had come "a
the conclusion, after left this city, that the
country people were lazy, as most OF the
places passed looked like they were in holi
day attire. The country through Alabama
needs an influx OF energetic farmers. There
are numerous resources through which
| pushing men can make money. vas in
formed that in this State not one OF the
MANY hills within its boarders have beer
pros pe cted for coal, although it is certain q
good supply Of it can be found here. Mer
idiau is one Of the principal cities in Missis
sippi. It is 1876 miles from New Orleans
Several gin mills are in operation
here. Coal has never been found
for the reason that it hsl
never been searched Tor. II mining lauc
was found there New 0rleaps would open
her arms to receive the product as it il
nearer by hundred miles than the place
which provides her now:
The monotonous ride was somewhat re
lieyed BY the pleasant action Of the South
ern conductors. They we're agreeable and
friendly. Aiew miles before reaching the END
Of my ride the train passed over little lake
called Ponchantrain by trestle work of
seven miles. Fifteen miles more over
swampy land and | arrived in the Crescent
CITY lust in time TO witness the Gremen I
parade. q. W. DICKENS.