Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1885-05-18
hePennsy's
THE COUNTRY-RESOURCES
ALMOST I'm BOUH DLEAS.
THE QUILL DRIVERS.

| Soon after the excursionists arrived al
Old Point Comfort, Va, the gentlemen
formed In line at the cashiers desk
and took their turns In singing ink
accross the hotel register. On being as
! signed room they sought the services
OF the ebony-hued porters, who grabbed
up their baggage and politely pointed
out the way TO the room assigned 70
each. About eight O'Clock supper
WAS served, which consisted of
viands calculated to satisfy the crav-
ings OF the inner man. Numbers
we're 30 sick from the ride over from
Cape Charles on the boat that they dis
pensed with supper. The Weccacoe
band Of Philadelphia, consisting of 18
pieces, gave delightful musical con-
cert In the evening, and numbers,
mostly military, triPped the light fan.
tastic. Later on the guests were invited
up stairs on the second floor, where an
elegant hall (which cost $4,000 TO fit
up) met our view, into which were as
sem blsd those who had the pleasure of
hearing Mr.. H. Phoebus recite the
"Vagabond's Story Of the mortgage en-
the farm, which had caused his (the
Vagabond's) downfall"
On Thursday the day was spent a.
pleased each one, TO put in the day see-
ing the sights of which Old Point Com
fort and vicinity are noted for. Fort
Wool or Rip Raps, were plainly visible
to the naked eye from the hotel, and re-.
called the writer's mind to the account Of
that memorable fight which took place
here during the rebellion between the
Monitor and Merrimac, besides several
vessels which sunk here In these waters,
but all vestige of which have been
lately removed by the wrecking COM
pany. Here on this narrow point or
tongue of land is located, 1t is said, the
strongest fort in the world, Fortress Mon
roe, 10 which the newspaper men had
freS access and explored the fort to
their hearts, content. and expressed as
Constituent at Its great strength and
cupied BY some six hundred regulars,
with the officers, who live in large and
handsome houses with their families.
ed, which WAS quite treat, AZ many Of
the party bad never witnessed dress
parade before, while others had grown
quite rusty in military tactics.
The Hampton Normal and Agricul-
tural Institute was also visited, which
contains some dozen substantial build
ings, numerous houses being built Of
brick which Ii made on the ground, and
consists of farm containing one hun
dred and ninety acres, all OF which ,
with the exception of some forty acres,
has been leased to the Soldiers Home,
and Is used by the Institution fos
various purposes.
This Institution, which Is for the edl-
cation OF the Indian and .colored chill.
dren, Is under the charge of Mr.. 8. O.
Armstrong, principal, and +. n. Gilman,
acting treasurer, and has . Board OF
Trustees numbering II, who have the
power to chose their own successor, and
hold property without taxation. Nc
denomination has o majority on the
Board of Trustees, and the school ID
conducted in the interest Of no sect
The aim Of the school is to give the
negro and India races, what they need
most, a good education and q trade, sC
that they may become self-supporting
thereby making good citizens and used
to lift up their race.
The students last year earned ovel
$35, 600 in the different industrial estab
ments. The school Is free from deb
and the plant is valued at $4,000, 900
The limit Of inmates IL 600. There ar,
at present some 400 negroes and 40 In
dians, for which the government pay
this Institution $168.33 per Indian
which is not enough TO feed him, le
alone the cost of his tuition and clothes
The number Of teachers, officers, clerk
and assistants number "a.
We had tho pleasure Of meeting Mr.
Charles Belts, formerly of This city, h.
has been at the head of the printing OF
flee there for the last six years, and ol
being asked how he liked living il
Dixie's land replied first class, although
you could not live cheaper there than Il
Wilmington, which speaks we'll for ou
street markets.
This institution is not selfsustainine
and is kept up by donations from th
= philanthropic people of the North. Th
, drill by the male students on the gree
l before dinner hour was feature in 1t
self, and called forth remarks Of apprt
, baton. A visit was made to the larg
l brick building, where the entire schot
I was seated at dinner hour, and on
I request being made the students san
several entertaining pieces, among ther
being" John Brown" who lost his III
for the slaves in that immediat
, LOIUOOu. luc Dcu'IoOhb Va VI
female students were visited, whic
: were marvels of neatness, and wel
Idecora.ed with pictures and ornament,
!, giving them cheerful look. Several {
!, the ladies had the pleasure of ticklin
! real live little "papoose" Indian bah
d under the chin, who they (the ladies
/, said weighed like lump of lead, AL
II chuckled just like any other baby whe
# it is tickled under the chin. All of I'll
, industrial buildings were visited wit
|, wOnderment and instruction. The 30
dieIs' Home, containing some 600 di
= abled soldiers, not more than a stone
throw from the school building, ";
visited, as was also the large cemeter.
1 where lie the mortal remains of aon
)i hundreds of the brave fellows who gay
their lives for their country 8 cause.
Hampton was also visited, which
quite a town, containing some 4, 600 Il
habitants. During the war nearly evel
house was destroyed, and the Olde
church in America, St. Johns, built
1860, had one of its walls destroye
D leaving only three of its original wal
" standing, being entirely gutted out
= fire. The old church has been put
good shape, being rebuilt and fitted l
nicely inside. A young man is
charge, and takes pleasure In shown
any one through the church, and givil
them its history, which he has at /
tongues end and can rattle 1t off at
pleasure.
Norfolk is only 40 minutes ride
one of the steamers, that make sever
ri trips daily between Point Comfort a
Norfolk, and is we'll worth q vi
by northern editor. The strees marx
is Il sight in itself, and would alone W
repay a visit to this quaint city. .Throu