The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-03-30
UP THE CHATTAHocCHEE.
Sights and Scenes along that Interest
ing River.

BAINBRIDGE, GA, March 24--At 10
touched at the wharf here, and we stepped
ashore. after an eighteen hours ride from
Columbia, Ala. A few incidents and i'm
pressions of trip up and down the Chatta-
hoochee and Flint rivers may b. of interest.
On Wednesday morning, the 2lst inst,
just as the Louisville and Nashville train
from Pensacola arrived at the bridge near
River Junction, the steamer Thronateeska,
of the Peoples Line, was passing through
the draw, on her up trip from Apalachlcola.
The steamer landed at the wharf just above
the bridge, and the train pulled across and
stopped for an exchange of passengers. This
was hurriedly made, and was transferred
TO the steamer, which shortly started up the
river. There were a good many passengers
on the Thronateeska, for she is fast and
comfortable boat, and Capt. Randlette is
mighty popular along the river, especially
among the ladies.
TIE STEAMER RUBY.
Mr.. c. j. Butler, of Sneed's, Fla, was a
passenger on the steamer. He is a success
ful and prominent naval stores producer,
and was on his way home from Apalachi-
cola, where he had been to secure pilot
and engineer for the steamer Ruby, which
he recently purchased at Columbus, and
which he proposes to run on the Chattahoo-
chez and Flint in the interest of the naval
stores producers. Since the sinking of the
steamer Ada at this place some months ago
there has been no boat on the Flint above
here, and three or four turpentine farms
have been left without transpOI tation for
their product At Robinson's Landing, on
the Florida side. we passed the Ruby, which
was tied up alongside the bank. The little
steamer was in charge of youth, who
looked rather lonesome out there in that
desolate swamp with not a house or a
human being in sight save himself. The
Ruby is Stern-wheeler and was built at
Columbus. She will carry about 100 bar
rels of naval stores and will tow barge
carrying as much more.
COLUMBIA, ALA.
We arrived at the fourishing little city of
Columbia at o'clock Thursday morning
Under the electric lights of the steamer we
disembarked and after tedious scramble
up the steep bluff we reached the warehouse
at the top. Soon the bus arrived from the
city, which is over mile from the river
There is something so oldfashioned about
the manner of entering or leaving Columbia
that 1t leaves curious impression on the
mind of thestreveler these rushing, modern
times-these days of railroads, fast trains
and conveniently situated depots. There
being no railroad facilities as yet, everybody
comes and goes by the river steamers. The
schedules being exceedingly uncertain, the
boats are expected when they arrive" 1t
so happens tat most of the steamers pass
during the night Accordingly, men are
kept on duty at the livery stable, and when
the whistle is heard, two miles distant, the
horses are quickly harnessed to the bus and
baggage wagon, and in few minutes the
round of the town is made to pick up parties
at the hotels and private residences who
may have notified the 'busman the evening
before of their intention to take the expected
boat
The last passenger being taken up the
bus rattles down the steep range of hills on
which Columbia is situated, and thence
acr oss a level plain to the river. Here the
passengers are discharged, the ne " arrivals
are taken on board, and the bus returns to
the city.
RISING TOWN.
The population of this thriving inland
city is estimated at fully 800. There are
25 stores, two hotels, a bank, several
churches and schools, and well conducted
weekly paper. | was surprised to learn
that the receipts of cotton since last Sep
TENDER approximate 1900 bales, while the
sales of fertilizers for this season exceed A.
800 tons. A magnificent farming country,
bone of the town. Recognizing the value
of such ''feeder," the Central railroad has
been quietly extending its line from Blakely,
twelve miles distant, in Early county,
Georgia, across the Chattahoochee, until
now the track is laid to the river bank, OPP
posite Columbia. A substantial bridge will
soon be built over the river, and it is ex-
pected that the cars will be running into
Columbia by Oct. l. This will mark the
hacrinnino Of q fpI ba fru ~
will render it easy of access by the outside
world.
SAD FUNERAL.
We found Columbia in mourning over
the sad and untimely death of Mr. w. T.
McGfi1f, one of her leading merchants, who
was killed in the terrible railway accident
near Blackshear last Saturday The news
of his death did not reach Columbia until
Sunday night, about thirty-six hours after
ward, and caused painful sensation in the
town. The body arrived at Blakely Tue
day night, March 20, and was met by friends
and relatives and taken to Columbia. The
funeral took place Wednesday afternoon at
the Baptist church Rev. Mr. Howard CON
Quoted the services, which were described
to us as peculiarly solemn and touching.
Every store and place of business was
closed out of respect to the deceased mer-
chants memory, and an immense crowd
attended the remains to the grave. Many
farmers came in from the surrounding
country to the funeral. Mr.. McGfiff leaves
a wife and four children.
Pursuing the even tenor of its way, 'tfar
from the madding crowd the sudden and
violent death of one of its prominent citi-
zens, who had left his home only five days
before in the flush of strength and man
hood, came like a terrible shock to the
peaceful town of Columbia.
FIRE COMPANY NEEDED.
We were considerably surprised to find
that this little city is entirely without fire
service, and there is no reason to doubt that
a serious conflagraton will occur there some
day in the future il an engine is not pro
cured and fire company organized. Your
scribe asked what rate of insurance was
charged on property in Columbia, and was
that tho prevailing rate was
per cent. While | was in town small fire
occurred near the main street 1t proved
TO be a stable, close by dwelling house,
and the whole town turned out to flight
fire" The stable was consumed, but the
yelling was saved by hard work on the
part of the "bucket brigade" A stitch in
time will save nine, and we hope the good
people of Columbia will act before it is too
Late.
HoMEwARD BOUND.
AT o'clock Friday morning | took the
Columbus and Gulf Navigation Company's
steamer Fannie Fearn,n enroute for Balm
bridge. The boat had heavy freight and
made many stops along the Chattahoochee.
1t is surprising to soc what large trade
Columbus merchants are developing in that
territory The Columbus drummer is