Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1891-04-24
RICHMOND ON THE JAMES,
John Moriarty on his Travels Abroad,
RlcnMoNp, ", April l6, ISL


arrived here about April 1, after an
absence of Ii years. There is nothing in
the world so refreshing and invigoratlng
as to come back and renew old friendships.
The sad side of my visit here is that l find
SO many old friends gone. But We like
those all the better who have lived to tell
the tale. That Richmond has got new life
is only putting it mildly. The marvellous
growth of the city is astonishing. hNed
here from II to ~ and claim to know
something of the people. Those who do
know the great southern heart will rejoice
in their prosperity. No people know how
to enjoy life better, and they can infuse
this spirit into all those around them.
Private enterprise is doing great work for
Richmond. The moving spirit in this is
Mayor Lewis Ginttr, who has purchased
$500 acres of land for the purpose of I'M
proving by building fine roads, etc. to
which the whole people have free access.
His monument is ullt in the hearts of the
people. b. the way, Richmond is distin-
yuishsd for its beautiful monuments, The
Washington monument in Capitol square
is said To have cost $6OO,O00 The Lee
monument Just erected cost $50, 900 and
stands one mile from the center of the
city. This is good hint for Natt rbury
not to keep up the old practice of having
every attrac ion in the very center of the
among the people, just rs the Waterbury
Furniture Company has done. The Water
bury Watch company is often asked for.
1t is only fair to say that it has helped the
reputation of the city abroad. l told
them il was an industrial Heaven and did
not forget to say that the girls were dis
tinguished for their beauty rs well rs their
department and invariably bought their
goods of the Waterbury Furniture com
Al - laff il
Is going to be turned into public institu
ton. 1t would take too long To describe
the rare attractions of the old capitol
building. Everything here forms an in
teresting part of our national history.
The first thing to meet the eyes is a statue
of Washington which was erected tel
years before his death. 1t is said to he d
perfect likeness of him. The great mar
had the pleasure of gazing upon it many
times. Here can be seen autograph Letters
from Washington, CORVALLIS, Benz amir
Franklin, etc, old relics and many Other
things connected with our history that
are very interesting. The obiging
old colored janitor is not the least
interesting feature about the place
and is genuine travelling cyclopedla
Richmond is said to be built upon sever
hills like ancient Rome and has many
beautiful parks which add greatly to the
grandeur OF tne Guy. II Has LhlACS hhe
miles of fine drives, and this is largely
due to the fact that the city is blessed
with many public spirited citizens who ar
spending their wealth for the good of the
whole people. While out driving will
Col John Murphy, who is one of the
solid men of Richmond, as wei
as owner and proprietor of
very fine hotel, which stands on the high
est point in the city, had the pleasure oi
calling at the Soldiers Home, arounI
which are many neat cottages donated by
men who love the soldier. In the mail
room of the home in large glass cast
stands "Stonewalr' Jackson's horse tina
he rode during the war. 1t is a splendit
piece of work and well preserved. Tn
horse was IS Years old when he died
There is 50 much TO be said about Rich
mond that one hardly knows where to be
gin or where to end. Amy one who want
to enjoy himself can do so here. Tn
people are democratic in the highes
sense, generous aud wholesouled, and t
make their visitors welcome seems TO b
all the pleasure they ask. Hoping to b
home again in Il few days, full of vigor ant
life, with new ideas that will contribut
to the greatness and prosperity of Water
bury and vicinity. remain, the people
humble servant.