The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1885-04-22
Steamer Thorn, Sherlock, near Helena,

Ark, April ii, 1885.
DIR. HoUGHToN: at4.
Dear Sir Perhaps you will be willing
to print a few notes from one who has
many friends among your readers who
would be glad to hear of his movements
To be sailing leisurely on this great
river, the Father of Waters, is real
pleasure to one who has always been &C.
customed to boats and seaside life; but
the traveller must have an abundance of
time, for these boats do not hurry when
moving, nor always take up the waiting
traveller when they are expected to do SO.
OF course, our affable agent at the station
did not know that we must needs wait
nearly thirty-six hours at Memphis, instead
of making close connection with the boat,
as seemed assured. But we were not
sorry for the opportunity TO see the once
plague.stricken city, and we filed our time
with sightseeing and hearing "a Free
Discourse at the Central Baptist Church,
by Ben Hagan, the Converted Pugilist," y
and coed sermon it was-on Zaccheus,
"a politician because he held a government
office, and also thief and scoundrel but
man who recognized Christ, knew him
from Peter and all the other disciples, and
without delay received him."
Memphis, having now about forty
thousand people, has just fairly recovered
from the disastrous effects of the plague Of
1889. We were told that it would never
be known how many died in those two
summers when the city was still with the
presence of death. The stores were shut,
no horsecars were running, and there was
no movement in the city, except such as
had to do with the sick and the dead. My
informant said that before those days the
Memphians were bigoted, mean, unchari.
table and especially illiberal towards the
North, but in the midst of their epidemic
when they were in need, most of all, OF
blankets and ice, there came a steamer
with halCload of those two necessities,
and that kindness destroyed forever their
ill.feeling. There are five Roman Catholic
churches in Memphis, and no class OF
people are more honored than the
Catholics. Many converts came to them
because of the untring devotion of priests
and Sisters of Charity during the plague
Memphis can never forget those who re.
sponded to the demands of that trying
season.
Those who have been South will under.
stand how we felictated ourselves on
having our home in the North; there is
such an appearance Of neglect and unthrit
about towns, houses and persons, at least
as we saw them in western Tennessee
There has always been the current inquiry,
"Where do all the pins go" We can tell
you what becomes of old hats, coats and
shoes they are sent South to be worn out
Looking at the cabins, we began TO wonder
If the invention of glass had ever been
heard Of in these parts; for while many OF
the hnts seemed to have no windows at all,
others had an opening in one end or side
sometimes with few panes Of glass
sometimes with wooden shutters, often
with sash partly glazed and partly board,
ed up. But there were not wanting signs
of thrift. We often saw negroes plowing
in one case two women, each with mule
and plow. There was much titled land
along the river. could give instances oi
their prosperity which | have heard to-day
but am afraid of wearying you.
We are approaching Vicksburg as
write these closing lines. The trees are
green with their new leaves, and it is the
most beautiful moment of spring. We are
rejoicing in the prospect Of having two
springs this year, for we shall share yours
with you after having enjoyed this special
privilege. We lit nearly all day in tht
pilothouse, delighting our eyes with the
differing shades Of the foliage, watching
the banks as we sail along, often very near
listening to the descriptions and stories o.
the pilot, and enjoying every minute i
only all our friends could be along with III
our contentment would be complete.
We Me not likely TO reach New Orleans
before Wednesday, and shall probably moi
leave till the following Monday, thus Civ
ing up our Sunday at Nashville. bu
spending day or two there in the week
hoping to reach home and work by Friday
night, neither sorry that we went nor othe
than glad to return. Now, If you like thi
letter you may, perhaps, have another.
With best wishes,
s. d. GAMMELL.