Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-03-25
Headed For Honduras.
EN- ROUTE FOR CENTRAL AMER
ICA, MR.. RHODES CLAY RE-
MEMBERS THE LEDGER.
Ii. Clay Writes Interestingly of His
old Kentucky Home" Where He
Visited-Politlcs in the Blue
Grass State-He Likes
Missouri Best.

Correspondence of the Ledger.
MEMPHIS, TENN, March 1s.-As per
your request it gives me great pleas
ure to send you a word relative to my
present trip South. Upon arriving in
St. Louis from Mexico / found that the
steamer for Honduras did not leave
New Orleans until the 22nd. /, there
fore, decided to make a brief visit to
Kentucky.
Leaving st. Louis then-on Friday
via the Big Four l arrived in Cincin-
natl where, after a short stop, / took
the Kentucky Central for Paris, KY.
The characteristics and beauties of the
grand old commonwealth of Missouri,
all Of which n 81 familiar to Nilsson
rians, yet, which, it would seem, they
fail to appreciate until their presence
In another country naturally compels
q comparison between the two, lever
appeared to me more beautiful nor
stood out more prominently than in
the forced contrast between Missouri
and the great State of Kentucky dur
ing my brief s~ojourn in the latter place.
In behalf of Missouri, suffice it to say
that Kentucky, with all her grandeur
and magnifcence, cannot surpass that
Of the State In which l live.
A Missourian upon entering Ken
lucky cannot but be impressed with
the fact that its appearance is that of
q much older State than Missouri, and
this impression is not to be dispelIed
a. You advance further into the State,
but, on the contrary, is only confirm
cd, for in everything and in every
place is 1t verified. In the towns it is
Q In the old buildings, the crude
plats Of the towns, narrow streets, etc.
In the country there is eve a remind
OF of the antiquity OF the place in the
old stone buildings and remains there
Of, in the moss covered stone fences,
which run along the magnificent pixies
and stretch across the blue grass fields,
adding q picturesque grandeur to that
naturally beautiful country. The old
style architecture seen in the resi-
dences, which, as a rule, r situated
some distance from the thoroughfares,
would seem to recall the days of our
forefathers and ancestors.
The people, kind, honest and hospit-
able, with their old Southern customs,
seem to enjoy to the fullest extent the
happiness of their families, friends, 1
neighbors and even strangers. Ken
tuckians seem to live for the pleasures
that are to be found in life and for the
good they can do. And here L cannot
help but remark that 1t is a sad COM
mentary upon this enlightened and
progressive age that there is existent
such q growing tendency away from
this old-time good will and hospitality
10 ala regard for neighbor and
as well as for ones intimate
Acquaintances. Formalities are creep
in and robbing life of half it's hap
piness thus enjoyed in such relations.
The times seem to be drifting toward
q desire to live for ones self alone,
with utter disregard for the feelings
Of others.
Kentucky has many old customs;
for example, her fixed court days,
upon which occasion 1t would seem the
entire community assemblies. Barter
and trade Is carried On in quite a SINH
lar manner as in olden times; remind
ing one Of the traditional habits and
customs Of the oriental communal
gatherings or the ancient Roman as
semblages.
geographically, Kentucky is rolling
or hilly and In parts mountainous. 1t
II these hills which rise SO gracefully
and majesticaliy from the low valleys
and dales, coated with the beautiful
Kentucky grasses and dotted with her
lately trees, that make Kentucky ap-
pear to the eye the grandest State OF
- union. The town of Paris, at
Walsh i arrived, lie situated in the heart
on 1ourbon county, the blue grass
resson and garden spot of Kentucky.
True indeed, can 1t be said to be
"aod's country" Justly proud should
1t be Of it, name. Well can it boast of
Ito "pretty women, fast horses and
good whisky." It's people are typical
Kentuckians, honest, intelligent, kind
ana true, who ~ pleasure in the hap
piness OF others.
Upon arriving ut Paris I repaired to
The palatial homo Of Mr.. James f.
Cisy, NnzkroEp fer Us hospitality
and beautiful IN It's appearance and
surroundings. Mr.. Clay, who is the
possessor Of a large tract of land, is
one Of the largest cattle raisers in
Kentucky. His immense blue grass
pastures enclose large herds OF cattle,
sheep and hogs, which, together with
horse raising, is the chief industry of
this section OF the country. The prin-
cipal products are hemp, tobacco,
corn, wheat and oats These crops, /
am informed, were not up to the usual
standard this year In either quantity
or quality. Prices, as elsewhere, were
low. / noticed laborers apparently
busy In the fields"breaking" the hemp,
while others YER ct work about the to-
bacco barns, emptying them Of their
contents for shipment to the winter
markets, Cincinnati and Louisville
being the chief ones.
After visiting one OF the whisky dis
tilleries, which visit was an interest
ing and instructive one, I was driven
to the famous RunnyInede stock farm,
owned by Col. =. F. Clay. This splen-
did farm, the home OF so many kings
and queens of the turf, as Hanover,
Raceland, Miss Woodford, Butterflies,
Zen Brush, etc., proudly takes its
name from that famous place OF the
eame name on Thanet island, just of
ne coast Of England, renowned for its
ancient racing course, and sacred az
NE spot where King John in 1915,
forced By the barony of England,
No Crime