Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-08-26


The 7. p. Leathers-EX-Prest. Davis.
T. ne Editor IF ths RsgiSeT:
FAIR VIEW, la, August Ia few
notes from this section may not be uninter.
es,ing to 10 your readers. On Thursday
morning, the 18th, | left homo at Bethany
and boarded the Cincinnati train at Wells
burg at sos, reaching Cincinnati al 4:i5
o m. The day was cloudy and rain almost
the entire roUte-no dust. From Columbus
dowr, u e ccrn crop looks very promising.
After spending over three hours IN Ciucin-
natl, in which lime | had very pleasant
interview with Ex-Gov. Bishop on the
political situation in Ohio. | boarded the
New Orleans sleeper Ii was the mos;
elegant sleeper and dining car | have ever
zen on Southern road. We reached
Nashville OF $50 q m. for breakfast. From
there south We passed through the garden
Of Tennessee, especially the country about
Columbia Diued at Decatur, Ala, p .ssed
through the great iron city Of Birmingham
81 80 D. m, and reached Montgomery,
the capital OF Alabama, for supper. The
crops 81 the way from Nashville to
Montgomery are the best that
have been grown in the memory OF man.
Birmingham shows more activity, and there
are more indications Of Improvement there
than Any city on the route from Wheeling
10 New Orleans. We reached Mobile a. 5
8. N. in pouring rain, aud from there TO
New Orleans We had il so cool that sleep
under blankets was necessary tor comtoE;.
Arrived az New Orleans al Sis m, for
freight hoIrs aud tea minutes coming
from Wellsburg, including three hours aud
q halt detention at Cincinnati. 1t is a long
ride this season Of the year, but as com
Portable as any one could desire. No dust
the entire route The new steamer, I. P.
Leathers, recently built at Wheeling by
Col. II. |. Sweeney, and furnished By
Messrs. G. Mendel Il Co. was q. the wharf
a, tie head OF Canal street, preparing 10
leave on her first trip up the Mississippi.
She is sn elegant boat, and gives satisfsc'
ton to her owner in speed and comfort.
nav add that the steamer is a credit 20 her
builder, and should be good card for 9th.
ers who wish 70 build steamboats, In all
appointments she could not be more perfect.
II happened that jus, as | went on board,
the new books fof the boat were brought TO
the Office, and the writer was the hrst
passenger 10 register for the up trip. After
spending q delightful day in the city, meet,
ing many friends and scousintsnces-an
hour in the Cotton Exchange-s call on
several dealers in nails and iron-promptly
ct Q. N. ] wendsd my way to the landing.
The LeatherS had steam up and Hsgs lying
with quite a number of passengers on board,
and tour or five hundred tons OF freight.
The old veteran commander, after Tnom
the bCs, is famed was on the cabin deck
surrounded By number OF friends. Csps,
Lesthers is remarkable man aud has a
rational reputation, large in stature, OF hae
PERSONAL appearance and with an experlsnns
oFhalf q cealuIyin nsyigs i'g thisgre striVer,
he has q right to command the attention Of
fellow citizens. Few men have had such
An experience, and none could have made
a more honorable reputation. Through sll
these many years. years OF prosperity, years
of adversely, years Of epidemic, years OF
war be has kept his honor baght-som-
meuced st the bottom OF his profession sud
rose 10 the top, and now after more than
three score years and ten, his
mind Is clear and he . can saw
Il never compromised Just obligation.
I.org NAV be live. At $50 the lines were
cast srd the steamer backed down below the
Frsrch market, coming up under full
head Of steam. The scene was quite lively.
Many husdreds OF spectators we;e on the
shore, ell the boats and tags a. the landing
blowing their whistles, and when opposite
Canal street the boom from the cannon on
board was heard sll over the city. Then,
sgsip. when We passed the steamer Nstchez
in summer quarters, Just below the Exposi'
ton grounds, the cannon gave her wsSen'
ing salute. We had number Of prominent
planters from Tensas Parish, who hsd been
spending the summer over the lake, return.
ing home; among them Col Douglass and
the Messrs Bland, with the members OF
their families. My old friend John fanny
sgeIt Of al the Yicksourg steamers, was a
passenger on boaId, coming up as tar IS
Baton Rouge to zee the working of the new
steamer. fanny is known throughout this
great valley; 8 native of Cumberland, Nd. ;
=, .Shen in his teens was agent Of the B. L 0.
Tosd 81 that point, when the terminus OF the
road was there, in the days of the stage
lines over the National road. since
coming to this country, in lS4I,
he has occupied many honorable and
important places OF trust-sherlf and clerk
of the court Of Concordis parish IN ante
bellum" dsys-slso planter and man OF
varied experience. We spent several hours
after the passengers bad retired as We
steamed up the Mississippi in talking Of
early days and Of sleigh rides in the noun
tsips when boys fit conversation tor an
August night on this lover Mississippi. Il
makes one feel 8 century old to look back
On those old days fanny has been con-
uectsd With Capt. Lesthers in his steam
beat interests for many years. We had on
board ex-President Jefferson Davis AMI
wife, en- route to his plantation below Vlcks,
burg. How can l write Of him? | feel for
him such veneration that words cannot ex.
press my feelings may be called .sse'
or 9 traitor to my country. but l Will here
say that / believe that Jefferson DAVIS Is
the greatest living American statemsn and
none have died that was any greater. His
knowledge OF Democratic government, hi
exreTienee in war and IN the chief places
Of homer in this great government, his init
mate association with all the honored states
men for over half . century Ia
given him such experience tina
nane ROW Eyirg can ever enjoy