The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1891-06-18
JUDGE CRISP'S HOME.
THE LEADING CANDIDATE FOB
SPEAKER WITH TOWNSMEN.

What Congressman Cummings Saw
Down in Georgia-Three Days in
Americus-Her Artesian Wells and
Her Prosperity "A New Place of
Winter Resort Judge Crisp at
Home-Eis Residence and His Fam
ily-How He Lives-Court Week In
Americus-Jud9e Crisp at a Barbe-
cue-His Friends and Neighbors.
From the NetU York Sun
AMERIoUs. Ga, June 11.-Eyerything
hrightens after crossing the line between
lower Alabama and Southern Georgia. The
sky seems less garish, the magnolia blossoms
are sweeter, and the fields appear better
titled and more fertile. You feel that you
are in the Empire State of the south-the
land of Judge Longstreet and Bob Toombs.
1t Is progressive and not retrogressive. There
is more activity at the railroad depots and
more life about the villages. The lnhabit-
ants eat more beefsteak and less hog aud
homiuy. There are more horses and less
mules. Cattle look more thrifty, and the
COWS evidently give more milk. The
blacks are full as lazy as those in Alabama.
but there is a get-up-and get look about the
whites that reminds you of the southern
tier of New York. The men are staiwart
and strong, and the women brfght-eyed and
Intelligent The cid SLOUGH hat and shirt
bedribbled with tobacco juice give place to
snowy shirt fronts, Immaculate collars, neat
ties and natty straw hats. The people talk
with more vim and rapidity. They move as
If they had more blood in their veins.
They carry less sand and more grit Their
compilations are clearer, their hair lighter
in color, their eyes more blue, and they de-
velop more muscle There are more gardens
and more flowers and roses in the yards
The English sparrows seem more sneppy,
and the mockingbirds more musical There
are more whitewashed cabins, and the pre-
tentious dwellings are always painted.
THE GEORGIA CRACKER.
All this after crossing the Alabama line.
You are still IN what is known as the black
belt Of the Gulf states. The negro pre-
dominates in number, but the white man
progresses in civilization, while the black
one retrogrades. The Georgia cracker is
far in advance of his Alabama brother.
Pat Walsh justly has exalted him. He is no
Rip Van Wrinkle. There are cosmopolitan
strains in his veins. He carved out the
colony OF Georgia before the revolution,
and he staked out the common wealth
after Corvallis surrender He was
the soul Of the confederaey, and uncom-
plainingly he bore the brunt of the battle in
the south. After the war he was the first
to recoup. He promptly launched his
cypress "dug-out" upon the stream Of prog
ress, and its current has borne him into the
realm of prosperity. And he can stand
prosperity His intellect keeps pace with
the times. He is a great reader and
thinker as we'll. He has excellent schools,
and supports the best of newspapers There
are telephones, carbon lights and electric
railways in his towns and cities. He is as
independent mentally as he is physi-
cally, but good Judgment invariably tenn
pers his actions. Iowa was never more thor
oughly stirred by the waRd of prohibition,
nor Kansas more roughly curried by the
Farmers Alliance COMB; yet Georgia he's
retained her equilibrium and has not yet
been annexed to the realm of bigotry. Despite
her alliance proclivities, her democracy is
unquestioned. You cannot buy bottle of
beer or drop of whisky in her state CAPT
tai after 10 O'Clock at night, but the best Of
beer and whisky is made within her bor-
ders, and the fame Of her peach brandy is
still worldwide.
A CITY IN THE BLACK BELT.
The black belt is sharing in the general
prosperity. One of its centers is Americas.
1t is a thriving little city of between 5000
and 10000 inhabitants. 1t stands on q nest
of hills which afford an extensive view of
the surrounding country Upon the high
est point there is tall water tower, which
can be seen many miles away. The water
comes from an artesian well, and is sent to
every part of the little city. 1t is
said to possess medical properties The
pump occupies the center Of the plaza,
where there is sort of a public foun-
tain. The water flows into q low iron tank,
surrounded from morn until night by ne
groes of both sexes, who drink it with great
gusto. The fame of the water is attracting
winter visitors. A large hotel, with a ro-
tunda and secluded verandss, is being built
for their accommodation. It is to be COM
pleted in the fall. It's appointments are to
include electric bells, private bathrooms,
and all the latest hotel appliances. The
hotel Is owned by joint stock company,
controlled by residents of Americas.
There is no more heaithful resort in
Southern Georgia. The site Is high and the
surrounding country rolling and covered
with pines. In all respects it equals Aiken
and Townsville. It's artesian water gives
it great advantage. 1t Is probably the
gurest and most palatable liquid in
Southern Georgia. Amerieus also has
historical interest. The memorable
prison at Andersonville, and the ma
uonal cemetery there, are only ten miles
away. The roads are good and the scenery
is delightful. There are dells shaded with
immense magnolias, and knobs where the
monotones of the pines never cease. Fields
OF cotton, corn and oats, and acres of water
melon vines line the way. The plantation
negro is seen in all bis native quaintness and
simplicity, and the sharp-eyed Georgia
cracker is always on hand for an intellectual
tilt.
SCENES IN AMERICUS.
The handspring of the prosperity of
Americas is the enterprise of its citizens. Its
street cars, its gas works and its large hotel
are owned by them. There are long brick
blocks of stores that would reflect credit on
many northern city. Church spires pierce
the sky, and the public buildings have
solidity and architectural beauty. There
are good schools, one OF which is
devoted exclusively 10 the education
OF colored children. Tasteful and of
exceeding beauty are the private residences.
All sit well back from the street. The
houses are emtowered in foliage, and the
yards are aglow with floral beauty, At
night the air is fragrant with perfume, and
made melodious by the music of the mock
Ing bird. In the glare Of the electric light
ne whistles in the pines and magnolias until
long after midnight.
1t is in the fall, however, that Americas
Is in its glory. The picking of the cotton
crop sets every cog in its business machinery
IN motion. As in northern cities, trade
reVives, and each citizen, black and
white, begins to reap his harvest. Business
men return from their summer vacations
l.. r1lAr A..N