The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1890-05-01
BAPTIST CONVENTION.
PLEASANT VISIT TO WASHING.
- TON.

! DEAR JOURNAL Probably an item or
two picked up on my trip to the Georgia
State Baptist Convention, held in the his
toric old town of Washington, may be read.
able to some OF the admirers of our dear
old home paper. We left Atlanta on We'd
nesday of last week, at 245 D. M, aboard
the Ga. r. r train, (which by the way ia
the fastest schedule made by any road
leading out of Atlanta, with well filed cars
of merry and jovial Baptist preachers and
lsymen. Nothing Of special interest at.
| tracted the attention of our party while the
trip was made to Washington; however, at
Crawfordvills there were many craned
necks to get glance at Liberty Hall. the
famous and historical old home of the
grand and memorable statesman, Alexan-
der FL. Stephens, whose greatness will ney>
err fade from the memory of the people OF
this southland A glance at this sacred
old home. brought forth many expressions
Of love and esteem for this laInented states
man.
We arrived at our destination at 7.20 %.
M, and were met by a reception commit
tee. who assigned us to the homes of the
most hospitable and big hearted people
that it ever was my pleasure to be a
guest of, OF course, Marietta delegation
especially favored in home probably on
account of our prominently. Il can as
sign no other reason. Every one will agree
with me to this fact when say, we we're
assigned to that grand and palatial old
home, where for SO many years lived that
grand old hero of the South, General Rob
ert Toombs whose chivalry and bravery
neither north nor South can ever forget,
This hnpnn' 10 "a H. l.
Frank H. Colley. This splendid property
could not have fallen into more fitting
hands than Col. Colley and his estimable
wife as host and hostess they have few
| few equals, for that grand old Southern
hospitality with all OF its elegance, that
re often hear OF, but seldom see. here
reigns supreme. Col Colley 8 many friends
| in Wilkes are determined that he shall be
their next representative in Congress. He
certainly has every qualification for that
exalted place, and, if elected, will do hon
or, to not only the people of the 9th Dist,
but the entire South. Washington is ia
NOUS for it many beautifAl old time South
ern homes, surrounded with handsome
| flower yards, and lots OF waving clover.
where the mild-eyed jersey, with strutted
udder, can be seen wading in luxury, and
| for its fine stock and elegant turn.outs,
and, last but not least, for its beautiful
women. The old building. where the last
| Confederate cabinet was held and presided
over by that grand old chieitain, Jefferson
Davis, is still there and undergone few
changes. With the Baptist, one OF the
very much admired places was the old
jesse Mercer home. the once residence,
of that grand old Baptist and founder
ne
as the Catholic Orphauage.
The churches OF Washington speak vol,
umes for that place, as they are far beyond
the average buildings in similar size towns
The Baptist take the lead, as they have a
house lately completed, costing about $ll,-
900, which is very artistic in design and
would be an honor to city many times the
size of Washington. But the most beauti-
full public building In Washington is the
Mary Willis Librarys handsome edi6ce,
costing about $14, 900, well supplied with
large collection OF the best books, maya
zines. periodicals. etc, to be had; besides
this institution has an endowment of $l0,-
600, all Of which is the gift of DR.. Francis
Willis, former citizen of that place, but
for many years resident of the North.
The library was named in honor of his
daughter, whom ne lost shortly after leav-
ing Washington. The people of Washing
ton are much in love with this institution
and have just cause to be. e.a
The exercises of the convention we're un-
usually interesting. The memorial exercis-
es especially beautiful end impressive. as
the list of deaths for the last conventional
year ircluded such names as DR.. 81 II.
Tucker, Judge John T. Clarke, DIR. w. II
Mcintosh and others. The next annual
meeting will be at Hawkinsville.
can not close this letter without again
abiding to the lavish hospitality of those
big hearted people, and especially TO that
of Col. and Mrs Colley. A. MD.