Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1888-03-12
Letter from Memphis.

Letter from Memphis.
Correspondence of the Alexandria GAzErTE.l
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Mar. s. 1SSS.-Since my
last letter have seen more of this district,
or rather let Us ssy city of Memphis: for she
certainly deserves the nsme if size and busi'
ness eotitlc place to The distinction. 1n
fact feel ,.s tle foreigner did who wrote a
description ofthe United States after two
weeks tour. No one can deny the muddy
water, hut no one Can say that it is uns
healthful. No ons can deny the muddy
streets. but they sre being cleaned, paved
and renewed as fast ss possible. The aver
age Of health is fully as good as any city OF
lis size. When learned that Memphis has
doubled in population since the last census,
I understood why some streets are unpaved
and others muddy. Like child she has
out. grown her clothes and is now getting
them put into shape. In fact the more
see of Memphia. the more l like her. |
have seen almost every city, town and viii
Iage esst ofthe Mississippi from the Canadas
to North Carolina, but for lovely women.
Memphis is in the van. The pretty weather
has brought them out and like the flowers
/
l have met hers. and they are not few in
number, has given me the impression that he
was glad to sec me, glad to assist me and
not anxious, as have felt in other towns,
to make money out of noe or take advantage
in some way. They are gentlemen in man.
ner whether natives or not. In fact there
seems "a be refining influence about
these southern people which has its
effect on all who cume in contact
With them, and they will certain.
IL beve good chance at ne for am go
lug 10 stay here even If Jack does blow his
horn of which there is little fear. now that
their magnificent sewerage Is finished. A
new gas company is now laying its pipes,
and guarantees cheaper and better gas.
Electric, arc and incandescent lamps render
the principal streets bright and gay.
To tell the truth, while I want to boom
Alexandria, and l must say that she can
compare favorably with any city as to her
fire and police departments, pretty girls and
genuine gentlemen, streets and healthtul-
ness, still she must take back seat as to
business, enterprise and growth. Alexan-
dria will never double her population in
seven years unless the bottom fslls out OF
Washington, and she will have 10 get
wings" to ''get there in business. If she
does her streets will be muddy, too, and L
would be glad to walk iu it knee deep for
ner sake, for cannot forget my birthplace,
no matter how far may roam
Business here is revelation to me 10 the
immense stocks carried in oil lines. [ took
:hs as matter OF course in New YORK and
other big towns but somehow | did not ex.
pect TO see live town so far South. 1 was
mistaken. that's sll. Values in real estate
are constantly advancing. I have seen oil.
ready instances Of an investment being
doubled in q few days time. There is i'm
mense wealth here and splendid houses.
while for hotels, the Gayoso and Peabody
will satisfy tho most fastidious. The city i5
well supplied with live newspapers, all pat
ronized literally as to subscribers and adver'
tisements. One firm of dry goods here has
building, much larger than Moses in
Washington, while all the other stores carry
full lines and have ample accommodations
as is necessary for the immense trade which
comes and is daily increasing. believe
nov she will be ahead of any southern city
and in o very short time too. l candidiy
confess that my hind sight is much better
than NV foresight and that Memphis is
nlsce TO be proud of by residents and strsn.
gers. Don't think bave been bought up
by real estate men, l simply want TO say
thai Jumped too quick and took the opin-
ions of some grumblers, (of whom Alexan-
ars has her share), for fair index of the
state of affairs Bank stock here ranges
from one to three hundred per cent. above
par-none is below.
The ire department is first class and the
police, also, at least 1 judge 60 from ap-
pearances, for beyond petty cases OF larceny
there has been 10 call for their services
since have been here.
New street cars are being placed on the
lines of latest style and finish. improve.
meut is everywhere manifest and spirit OF
watohfulness for quick advancement Is
plainly manifest Even cur servant mas
gotten q new cotton wad. have not
stumbled on the old one.) Our nelghoors
ward is covered now with beautiful green
grass, and personally, have gained several
pounds of flesh, but my hair is Juat as tnin aS
ever. I have found out that there
are two kinds of levees for the river. One is
huge emhaukment for the low districts,
but ia Memphis, which is on high blum, the
entire front is paved with Belgian blocks
Imagine Alexandria with three miles OF rlV-
er front solidly paved from oae end to the
other for over square back from the foto-
mac. No wharves, but great landing stages
which are securely moored and are taken
further and further up this sloping pave
ment as the river rises innumerable rail-
road tracks, elevators and wholesale grocery
stores. aud you have Memphis as she ap.
nears from the river. Eight railroads cen
tre here and two more will be in by June.
Everything is booming and apparently
every body has or is making money. have
not seen a beggar 10 the place; This is the
dull season too-when the rush does come
will stay ndoors.
Warm, pleasant weather prevails to-day,
although slight fall ofsnow occurred last
night, I don't think bad weather ID oVel
yat hut the southavu apriuo Is near st hand