Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-08-01
LETTER FROM TENNESSEE.
From the Torringlon conn, Register.
Editor Register:

II
From the Torringion lconn.) Register.
Editor Register:
| On leaving Torrington / promisct
to comnunieate through your paper
something regarding things here il
Tennessee.
/ My friends, lmve not yet forgotten
pleasant memories of years spent
among you. They still cluster round
me, and the ties OF friendship formed
are still unbroken. The care OF i
large commercial garden, entaiiing as
it does the onerous duty of growing
the succulent cabbage and the classic
yam, leaves but little for me to write
many promised communications, and
now with your kind permission / will
proceed, concerning things in this
Southern region.
CIarksyille is III miles south Of
Louisville, 199 miles north OF Mem
phis, and 81 west of Nashville II is a
thriving business town, capitalo Mont
gomery county, and boasts OF the most
costly court house in the state. 1t
contains 10 churches, 10 for white and
8 for colored. All its public build
ings are elaborately finished and most
| of its churches are as tine az any to be
found in the fourisbing cities of the
North. AS tobacco market Clarks-
vile is ahead of any city of like size in
the world and buyers Of @the weed" are
to be found here from al parts of the
civilized globe
Among the secret organizations are
Masonic, Knights Tempiar, Knights of
Honor, knights of Pythias, Odd Eel
lows and others. The educational fac
ilities of Clarksville are superior to
any point of like size in the South.
The Southwestern Presbyterian Uni
versity is located here and supported
by SIX Presbyterian Synods. The
Broadhurst Institute, superior acad
emy for ladies, and st. Aloysius school
supported by the Catholic church,
which taken together with the public
school and other private halls OF learn
ing, any man, no matter how poor can
get an equal chance for educating his
children with the richest.
In point of health Clarksville stands
pre-eminently high no epidemic has
ever made an appearance here even
though the place was crowded with
refugees from the infected districts
during the yellow fever and cholera
scourge few years ago. The health
of this city has rendered il summer
resort of much importance. The main
attraction is the phenomenal Dunbar
Cave that extends for several miles I'M
der grouad. The Idaho Springs i've
in number are recognized by medical
men as among the most health-giving
springs on this continent
Asa farming country it has few
equals, as vegetables can be raised here
six weeks in advance OF the North, and
owing mainly TO the short distance to
leading Northorn markets, truck farm
ing and vegetable growing are poffita
bic industries here. All kinds OF
grain, tobacco, cotton, hemp, flax and
fruits grow plentifully in the country
lying tributary The surrounding
country is beautiful, and owing to the
mildness of the climate the homes OF
the inhabitants are tastefully adorned
with shrubbery and flowers OF many
kinds. The magnolia tree that Ian
guishes in the frosty atmosphere of the |
North, and that in other lands is only |
to be found within the precincts of the
palace or ducal home fourishes here |
with much vigor; lends its hospitable |
shade to the dusky negro whose won't |
it is to repose beneath its branches, u |
contrast to its snowy blossoms. /
The oleander that the good wife of the |
North cherishes IN her window facing |
the sunny south through the long |
dreary months of winter, is met with |
here around the homes of the hum |
blest and mansions OF the rich. The
taste for flowers is more universal
among the masses in the South than
III the North The ladies of each
spend the most of their
leisure time in attending to their floral
charge for which they seem to possess
an innate love; and they can discuss
the respective merits of plants and
their culture with freedom that
would surprise their sisters of the
North. The mocking bird which is
said to exist only where magnolia tree
will thrive, is found here in great
numbers and nightly pipes forth Its
dulcet strains. 1t sings all night long
and the variations of its song are about
as numerous as the piquant note of
the Torrington Kazoo Band.
There are many objects of interest
IN the neighborhood. Fort Donaldson
IS in close propinquity on the Cumber-
and river, on which ClarksvilIe is sit
lated. The Cumberland was called by
he Indians The Sewanee River"
which name is immortalized in the
sweet and popular old melody, way
lown on the Sewanee River" The
along its banks are pictur-
ssque and capable OF inspiring the
poetic genius for ages to come. | will ,
lot say farther regarding the surround
ngs at present as the beauties of old ;
Tennessee have so often been told in
both song and story. ,
Politically the people are content. 1
I'M told there is but one white repub-
ican in town and he is thinking OF
soing West. Agricultural interests APP /
pear to hold their own, and trade de-
preston reported from manufacturing
districts is as yet not felt here. In
writing thus glowingly from here my
riends must not think value Con-
lecticut any the less. i still admire
he wooden Nutmeg State" and her
ocky cliffs possess untold charms for ,
ne. Her breezes may be cold and un-
INVITING, her SHOWS deep and contin-
led, but there are true friends within
Ter, and hearts that can loye nnspar-
ngly, which mellows the cold air of
winter, and shed happiness alike in
torn or Sunshine.
l remain respectfully yours,
JAMES MORTON.
Clarksville, Tenn, June 25, 1885.