The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1889-12-25
CHATTANOOGA. TENN. Dec 14th. 1889.

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Lively Personal II Reminiscence.
CHATTANOOGA, TENN. Dec 14th. 1859.
EDITORS OF THE PRESS:
GENTLEMEN: After sojourning in the ' solid
South - for short time, and having previously
heard so much of the manners and customs of
the people thereof thought that perhaps brief
resume of my observations might be more or
less interesting to the readers of the PRESS
Leaving Ravenna on the 2nd inst, and pro-
ceedipg to wellsville. o., continued SOUTH via
the Ohio River. stopping at the various towns
and cities en- route. Steubenville. o., the first
stop partakes largely of Southern characters
tics-a city of some elght-thousand, as quiet and
undemonstrative as the most retired person
could WISH with hotels that are-well, which
ever one you take, you will wish you had tried
the other.
Bridgeport is the next stop, struggling ham,
let. with mud foot deep. surrounded nearly,
by a huge bluff. fanked by the Ohio River which
is crossed via street car to Wheeling, W va
lively city with fairly good hotel the = NC
Clure.'' where that prince of clerks, Mr. Har
rison author of the widely read book. :" Front
or 'steen years among the travelling men," pre-
sides. wheeling bears evidence of material
wealth and is growing rapidly.
Inc next SCOp Is harrlelIa, Os WulCn Is AOoSh
ed via the Ohio River R'y to Williamstown,
thence across the river by ferry. This. the old
est city in Ohio is now chiefly noted as the res
idence of Israel Putnam lineal defendant of
Old Put" of Revolutionary fame; and for its
lack of life commercially and the want of a good
tavern the balance is all Adoniram j. w arner
and Henry Bohl, both of whom have in times
past been known to fame politically. Re-cross-
ing the river we proceed to Parkersburgh, W.
Va, a city that shows great progress in the past
six years now has water works. street cars,
electric lights-both arc and incandescent-a
fne new hotel called the Blennerhassett, IN
honor of the man that Aaron Burr made famous
and of the islands in the Ohio hiver. where the
Blennerhassetts lived, which is in plain slght OF
Parkersburgh. The hotel is kept by Mr Chas-
Campbell, late of Cory. Pa. and he knows his
business: if he do at, Mrs Campbell does Here
we met many acquaintances OF former oays'
chief among them all being Joe Keller, a prince
of good fellows, whom to know is privilege
Business is good in Parkersburgh.
The next stop is Huntington. W. Va. towa
of recent growth, but which shows signs of ma
terial advancement The large o shops
are located here, and employ large force. dis
tributing $50 600 per month. 1 convinced man
here that he needed some glass, fact! Got his
order too.
From Huntington to Lexington, KY, dis
tance of 139 miles, made via the Newport News
& Mississippi Valley R'y. on the F. F. V train,
(Fast Flying Virginian) SO called by Mr. M E.
ingalls,, because it's always late gress- wee
Pres Morton and his family were aboard the
train in a private coach, on their way to Chleago
TO be present at the opening of the Auditorium
MI Morton is an every day locking banE er. put
Mrs Morton is superb magnificent looking
49, 4l.n
our train had travelled few miles, something
about the engine gave out and she refused 10
make steam. so the occupants of our car 1t nap
neninr to be Pullman Buffe," put in the time
during the waits playing whist. eating fruit
cussin' the engine smoking and telling stories.
the life of the party being Mr.. Garnet Thompson,
son of Congressman Phil Thompson, OF Ken
tucky who as on his way home with DIS loVely
bride. We finally reached Lexington three hours
late. The Phoenix Hotel, for many years
famous place, the headquarters of all the morse
buyers and sellers, with its walls covered win
nictures of noted animals, and the lobby crowd
ed with men. This hotel is supposed to be rep
reseptative Southern Hotel, and in manyrespects
1T is: lazy walters, careless porters, no SYSTEM
every thing goes" Except quickly ana nrs'
class prices Yes, think the Phoenix may DC
..sopthern >, found the business men courteous
or something connected with him Mr.. Jno b.
Perry. late of Cuyahoga Falls. o., prosperous
.Horse Broker' took me in his surrey all
aronnd the city, particularly 10 Ashland, Gays
residence and to the Cemetery to see his monu-
ment The Government building here is beau
tv Within its walls the terrible Goodloe anu
Swope tragedy occurred few weeks ago. Ahe
postoffice boxes belonging to each were SHOWN
me. with the box between them shot out Inc
Democratic Mayor of this Democratic city, hr.
G. w Foushee compiimented our bretnern IN
Ohio thus: "Be cd. sab you done well, sah'
Int why in the devil. sab, don't you do 1t some
times when we WANT you, sab? I'm clean gone
disguised with the Ohio politicians, san, deg
goned if air. It; but there's no denying that you
surprised us grandly this time. sah.'' Mayor
Foushee is urging the paving of the Streets
which are muddy, aud i, in for every modern
Improvement.
From Lexington to Louisville. KY. 94 miles,
tho RIM is quickly made Iarrived there at about
y O'Clock n m and in riding down town in a
bus could scarcely believe that was in city
of on 0o0 people The streets we're dark and
gloomy; here and there an old fashioned gas
lamp was Pickering on a corner; finally. draw
ing mn to the old Louisville Hotel, the interior
reconciled me. Incandescent ''electrics" every
where and modern arrangements apparent.
This splendid hotel is kept by an elegant gentle
man named Kelley, an "old batch " that some
fine lady ought to catch. The business men In
Louisville take it easy and don'trush. You Will
find them at their offices by 9 30 a. M, but not
after o. M About the liveliest gentleman
met in Louisville was Col. Rob't Brown,Clty Ed
itor oil the Louisville Courier Journal.a and whose
charming wife, nee Miss Mary Brigham. of IA
VIENNA made my stay in that city exceedingly
pleasant.
Just across the river in New Albany, Ind L
fonnd my ..fat cousin" Ed. b. Goldman and
family. Ed is the City Engineer OF that nne
CITY of 3OCO0 and has his office in the City ALL
and is Mr.. Goodman down there, sure enough.
From Louisville (and here let me remark par
anthetically that up to this time the sun had
only shown ONCE since leaving home. rain,
rainfall the time-) to Nashville, Tenn, Is
six hours ride but went to bed at 12 3U u m /,
and woke up at 500 in Tennessee-abo ten
miles out of Nashville-with the glorious sun
shining and the grounds covered with frost
The panorama en- route was charming The
Cumberland ILLS were dotted here and there
with fine old Southern homes. built usually
square aad high. with veranda across the front,
extending from the roof to the steps, with bal
cony at each story. The parks contain any num-
Der of negro cabins, wbtewashed, and these
famous tenants are seen along the route picking
cotton. or driving mules. or dressed in livery,
with the reins of their boss mot master now
in their hands. Arrived at Nashville for break
fast. was driven by laughing darkey to the
Hotel Duncan, the best hotel in the whole south-
This fine enterprise was ready tor the pubic
last October and is kept by my friend Mr.. Ch''s
d. Collins, late manager of the Hoilenden IN
Cleveland. He has revolutionized things In
Nashville already; the Duncan is model AS
we drove through the beautiful streets past the
State Capitol. saw the different buildings
draped in black, in honor of the late Chief OF
the Confederacy, whose funeral was just about
being csnsummated. The first impression of
Nashville is one of extreme pleasure The city
is so much larger and better built than previous
ooncentions warranted. They now claim 100000
nonulation. As you look upon the Capitol. its
beauty and grand site is at once suggestive
Its approaches are from the four corners OF the
nark with marble steps and wall surrounding