The record-union., 1896-05-25
THE BLUE GRASS REGION.
Rev. R. NJ. Stevenson Down Among the
ThorOughbredS.
He Writes Pleasantly About Danville,
Lexington and His Boy
hood Home.

The contrast between the poor, thin
soil of the Carolinas and the rich loam
of these parts could hardly be greater.
And the contrast does not cease with
the SOIL 1t is just as evident in the cat
tie and hogs and houses and barns. The
hogs here do not impress you with the
idea that they are good for three rows
of potatoes through the fence" and the
herds of fat sleek shorthorns would
make even the eyes of a Californian
turn green with envy.
The first stop 1 made was at the beau
tiful little city of Danvflle, in the south
ern rim Of the Blue Grass.
Many cities. corpulent with material
greatness, are not SO widely known as
this Danville is like Carlyle's hero,
"a root of so many great things"
Hard by the church in which the
writer had the honor Of being baptized.
stands a noble shaft, upon which read
this inscription: Beneath this shaft
rests Ephraim Mcdowell, Nj. D., the
father of Ovariotomy."
Doctor Mcdowell performed his first
and famous operation in a little house
that still stands to mark the spot, in
1909. Nor does Danvile bank on her
past record alone. One of her young
sons, A. w. Johnstone M. D., whom she
raised and educated has made himself
eminent enough to be called, not only to
New York, but to London, that he might
read papers before the most celebrated
medical societies in the world, bearing
upon his own discoveries with his mi
ccoScope.
Here was the home of the Brecken-
ridges, great in statesmen and theolo-
gians, worthy sires OF an ignoble son,
whose white head is not found in the
way of righteousness.
Here was educated one who now oc-
cupies the place, second in eminence in
the gift of the American people, and
whom very many in the South land
would be glad to see in the place of first
eminence.
And from here sprang three young
men who in succession occupied the
highest place in the gift of the Presby-
terian Church as Moderators Of the
General Assembly. AnG may be the two
who have gone from here to far-off In
dia as missionaries will have higher
place in the heavenly country, though
they may not be so much heard Of here.
Many have toiled here in academy and
college and seminary, who have been
'cut of sight" but their work comes
to the surface to do them honor after
many days. But John G. Young was
not out Of sight. His eloquent voice
rang through all this southern land,
making him renowned in the pulpit. AS
President of Center College he still
lives in the lives and memories of many
men who sat at his feet and upon whom
came something of his own lofty spirit.
And TO his son has been given the chair
which the nlustrious father so long
filed. There were others who were not
out of sight, but time and space forbid
detail.
Here the Theological Seminary still
stands. New and loftier buildings have
taken the place of the one in which my
father "thrashed" the boys long before
it was used for theology. A large man
approached me after preaching, the
other night and asked, Are you Sam
Stevenson's SOM" I replied in the af-
firmative, when he remarked, We'll. he
has thrashed me many a time"
Here Center College still holds on its
way, attracting its share Of students
from the region roundabout. But one Of
the most interesting places to me in this
little Hub" of learning was the Hogsett
Military Academy. There roundshoul-
dered boys are transformed into square
shouldered men; boys with boorish
manners, or no manners at all, are pol
ished and refined; halting speakers are
given the easy flow of the orator, and
the boy is thoroughly equipped for the
best colleges in the land. And the
academy is made home over which the
presiding genius is a queen to the man
ner born. have never seen brought to-
gether fifty more gentlemanly, courte--
Gus boys than were gathered in those
classrooms under the instruction of an
able corps Of teachers.
A week at Danville was all too short,
for the warm hearts and hospitable
homes and sumptuous tables made 1t
place difficult to leave, but it was like
going from one rich clover field to an
other to exchange Danville for Lexing-
ton. The house in which / am sitting
stands far back from the street, is a
| long, red brick house, lofty and wide in
| due proportion, its spacious rooms ca
| pable of gathering the children unto the
| third generation. It stands amid the
| grateful shade of grand old trees, and
| everywhere roses and vines abound.
| The owner lived here in that far-away
time of the great unpleasantness and
| missed it's restful shade and loving in
mates while taking an active part in
| the fuss" The life in camp; the life on
the battlefield; the life as a prisoner
while vivid in memory, is a matter of
history. For many years he has walked
the paths Of peace and presided with
dignity over one of the banks of this
beautiful city. Here in this grand old
| home the boys and girls have been
college and in later life to positions of
| honor and trust.
These people in the south know how to
entertain. In the early morn the col
ored boy enters your chamber, takes
your shoes out and brings them back
polished fine: and he brings fresh
water for your bath. When you wish to
ride, he appears with the carriage as
your driver. Indeed, from early morn
till close of day nothing is left undone
to make you comfortable and happy
Under this wide-spreading roof are
three sisters of my mother They all
have silvery hair, and l may not see
them again till / cross the river into the
better country, even an heavenly" so
we are making the most of this meeting
Under such favorable circumstances one
could hardly remain sick, and / am
happy to say that / have not felt better
in MANY a. wear But / begin to long for