The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-23
A VISIT TO JAoKsoN's TOMB.
An Interesting Account of It's Environ
ments-Uncle Alfred--Reminisce

ments-Uncle NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
Lebanon Crenn.) Correspondence of the obion
Democrat
On the morning OF May as the sun in
all its splendor shed its bright beams upon
the beautiful town Of Lebanon, q party OF
twelve young men took their places in
picnic wagon to visit the old home and
last resting place OF Andrew Jackson, the
ex-President and hero. The air was pleas
ant and ours was pleasant party indeed,
for after nine months of hard study we
were glad to have the pleasure OF q drive
through the country. All twelve OF our
party were Democrats, six of whom were
from Tennessee, two from Kentucky. two
from Texas one from Arkansas and one
from Mississippi. We had splendid pair
OF horses and soon left our schoolmates
and the busy town in the distance, and
were travelling down the pike at the rate
of six miles an hour. We passed through
very lovely country with picturesque
scenery, and the first thing that at
tracted our attention was the ruins OF
the old female institute, Maple Hill,
which is about four miles from Leb-
| uuOu. LIS hhC DulihlhB Wao NpobOsNN
by fire few years ago, aud all that now
remains OF the grand structure is six tower
ing chimneys, relics of magnificent
building in which many fair young lady
obtained her education. One thing that
attracted your correspondents attention
was the vast forests of cedar which stand
along the way, and also the large rocks
the whole surface OF the earth seemed to
be covered with rocks and cedars, and rs |
have always lived in Obion, which | think
the garden spot OF the earth, these things
were quite a curiosity to me. Before ar
irving at the Hermitage, however, we
passed many fine farms and beautiful
fields OF corn and wheat. We reached The
end OF our journey at 10 o'clock, having
driven eighteen miles in less than three
hours. We drew up in front OF Jackson's
5 home, the place we had heard and read so
! much OF, and all were soon on the ground,
D which seemed almost q sacred spot to us.
Y Passing up the long graveled and shaded
Y walk which led from the old iron gate to
the large dwelling OF our Tennessee hero,
Q the path divided and passed on each side
4 Of spot covered with ivy. On reaching
: the house a servant OF Jackson, the
T only one now living met US at the
}, door. Old Uncle Alfred is n good old
}. negro, who was born in 1908, within
d 400 yards Of where he now lives. lie
Y carried us first TO the tomb OF Jackson,
IS which is situated in one corner Of the
II flower garden Just east of the house; this
% tomb is very imposing and was erected in
il 1888. After we had viewed the pretty trees,
l. the magnolias, willows, and pretty flowers
d and read the epitaph Of his loving wife
,. who sleeps at the hero's side, we all gath
r, cred around Uncle Alfred and listened
N with attentive ear to his story OF Jackson's
r life which was related in graphic manner
&c by his old servant, who IL now eighty-six
ID years old. lie loves 10 talk oil Jackson
e. and his grand and noble deeds, and OF his
e. kindness to his slaves and everybody.
ID When asked why there was no epitaph on
ID his masters tomb he replied that Jackson
le had requested only his age, birth and death
m be carved on his tomb, saying that history
tx would tell the rest. and so it mas, for We
Ne have only TO read history TO find what u
m great and good man Andrew Jackson was.
IN We left the grave where our hero was
ly buried and returned TO the house where
IN we registered our names. aud while there
his we saw many things VI Interest," among
w them were his library, hat-rack, Indian
Sc lomahawk, the Creek Indians pipe OF peace,
iss a bayonet which was cut out OF a tree four
teen years after the battle OF New Orleans
April S, 1915; also a fife which was used
3. during that great battle; we also noticed hi
a, pipe, chair and walking cane. In this room
III are TO be seen many fine pictures On.
that attracted our attention was portrait
nts OF his wife, and Just under this was a por'
IN. trait Of Jackson himself. We left the man
,v sion and walked about 400 yards acros
., an old field TO where our hero lived befor
;, the present large building was erected
81 The old house is built OF logs and Is abou
urt IA by - feet and has three rooms II
ION now almost ready TO fall down, for II ha
Int, stood many long year. From this oil
4 n building several OF Us gathered little stone
a. rs mementocs OF our visit We the
Nv went 10 large spring near by
ose which is surrounded by a ston
led house, and knelt down and drank Of III
,tal fresh, clear water which came bubblin
rch from tho earth. After We had eaten hear
az. ily Of many delicacics which our kin
tric hostess had prepared for Us, and had 20
In. ten walking canes rs remembrance OF on
ado visit and OF the place, We babe ndieu
ma. Uncle Alfred, after thanking him Tor b
Nr kindness and giving q few pieces OF silyc
icaI We were soon on our way to Lebanon
nm which We reached before the sun la
M, passed behind the western hills, ieclir
Tho that We had spent a pleasant and prof
ons able day and could return TO our siudi'
,ich on Monday with renewed energy. II
yor visit inspired new ambition In our your
fhe minds 10 do all the good we can for OF
also country. "the home OF the free" Althoug
am. we may never visit the the llermita,
In again, the day will never be forgotten
'ads US. OnioN Boy