St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-07-04
AN OLD SHELL.
Gen. johnson Drops Into a REM
inescent Mood.

AN OID SHEAAs
Gen. johnson Drops Into a REM.
inescent Mood. s.
To the Editor of the Globe.
When l was boy there was no rail-
roads connecting the west OF the south
with the east, and the only market for
the surplus products of the farmers in
Kentucky and other western and south
ern states was New Orleans, Steam
boats were few and the freights very
high, SO much so that there was little
profit left to shippers after paying all
charges. To secure the cheapest posi-
bic transportation ncighborS united and
constructed fatboats, called broad
HORNS" and when completed the same
were loaded, and in charge of several
men. hired for the trip, started OH the
long voyage. 1t was usually customary
for some reliable person to 90 with the
iatboat to superintend the selling of
the cargo, or go by steamboat SO as to
reach New Orleans by the time the flat
boat arrived. AS soon as the freight
was disposed of the hands would be dis
charged and they returned home by
one of two routes-by steamboat or by
land along what was known as the
jackson trail. 1t may seem strange in
this day of rapid transit that men would
undertake, OH foot, such a long jour
ney, yet they did in those days and car
ried their money and provisions with
them. This constant stream of travel
afforded a field too fertile to remain
long uncultivated by the active, enter
prislng highwaymen. One of the most
noted of these robbers, who had under
his command a large number of men,
was John A. Murrell. He was after
ward captured and sentenced for long
term OF years to confinement in the
penitentiary at Nashville, Tenn. My
recollection is that he died before the
expiration of his sentence. Had he Sur
vlved, other states would have had
claim upon him.
{: A brother OF mine, just from the med
zeal college, and who required some rest,
went by steamboat to New Orleans in
1882, arriving in time to superintend. the
sale Of cargo, and when his mission
was completed determined on returning
by steamboat. The Helen McGregOr
was advertised to leave OH certain day
and he went down to the levee.
As he neared the stage plank he was
attracted by small boat loaded with
shells, and he purchased a large conch,
which he carried aboard, where he
registered his name and secured
stateroom. Engaging in conversation
with an acquaintance, he was inter-
rnpted with the remark, doctor, let us
go back to the stern Of the boat. l smell
burning steam, and fear an explosion"
The words were scarcely uttered be-
fore the explosion occurred. carrying
the doctor up some distance and land
ing him in the river, surrounded by
pieces of the wreck, the dead and dying.
My brother was soon picked up, burnt.
bruised and bleeding. holding the she'll
in his hand. His injuries proved to be
but slight, and he was soon on his way
home. The tip of the shell was cut Off
and it was used as horn TO call the
negroes from the field to their daily
meals.
Saturdays there was no school, and
the boys were required to do such light
work about the farm as they could, and
sound of that old cOnch when it called
me, dusty and tired, from labor to
refreShment.
l have heard the dulcet strains of Ole
Bulls violin. l have heard some of the
most highly cultivated human voices.
which seemed for the time to lift me
above the earth, and transport me to an
other world where all was harmony;
yet none of these were ne ar SO sweet
as the sound of that old shell when it
it called me to dinner and to repose.
When boy have often placed it to
my ear to hear the roaring sound
within, which the negroes said was the
roar of the sea. The same sound is
still heard, but it is not the roar of the
sea | hear now. but solemn requiem
in memory of the dear ones who have
long since passed away, and upon some
of whom rests the grave dust of more
than half century.
And now as it lies on the
table before me how many memories
it brings up from the fountains of
the past? If it could speak in
notes to be understood, how many
tales it could tell of happy faces
occasionally saddened as one by one
have dropped out of the ranks, leaving
vacancies never to be filled. A few
score years the only survivor of that
once large family will fall by the way
side. and the grand old conch will des-
cend to another generation who will
prize it for the many pleasant and dear
memories that cluster around it. 1t
called the tired and careworn slaves to
their meals up to the very day upon
which the emancipation proclamation
was issued. and while it's voice is as
clear and distinct as ever, it has ceased
to call slaves Otheir meals. The cOun-.
try is free and this venerable old shall,
having performed its duty long and
faithfully. has been promoted to place
of honor and retired from active serv-
ice to pass with me life of quiet and
repose. R. w. JOHNSON.