Mexico weekly ledger., 1898-07-28
A TRIP TO VIRGINIA.
What Little MISS Lucy Meade Allen.
Daughter Of Capt. c. T. Allen, Saw
in Cincinnati and Richmond.

by little Miss Lucy Meade Allen, the
10 year old daughter of Capt. Allen.
of this city, to her father:
PETERSBURG, Va, July 1S.-DEAB
PAPA: l want to tell you what a nice
time we had in Cincinnati, O., and in
Richmond, Va. You know we left
Mexico Monday evening, July 5, on
the 3:1s train. We got to Cincinnati
for breakfast. Brother Stuart met us
at the depot, and we stayed with him
until noon. He took US to the Zoo
logical Garden Che called it ZOO and
in going there we went up a high,
high, steep, steep hill on the cars. ]
couldn't zee how we got up or down
such a hill on a street car. The cars
were taken up and up on a sort of an
elevator. When we left the elevator
we went around and around the hill
until we got to the top, and there was
the zoo. 1t is said to be the largest
In America, and second only to the
zoo in London. 1t covers AZ acres OF
land-iust think of it-47 acres APP
p%ropriated to all kinda of animals. We
first looked at the monkeys-pig-t tai
monkeys, squirrel-talled monkeys and
two little monkeys with their arms
around each other fast asleep; one
Arabian baboon, a horrid looking
creature, and many other kinds OF
monkeys. I have forgotten their
names. Monkeys are such funny
creatures, and everybody looks at
them. Next we went to the bird de-
partment, and such beautiful birds OF
of all kinds and colors-parrots and
parrakeets, cranes, gold and silver
pheasants andso many other birds,
Then we came upon two immense
Polar bears, valued at $4,000 each;
black bears, brown bears, grizzly
bears, lions, tigers, panthers, two
great big boa constructors and two
little bear cubs about the size of little
puppies. They were stuffed, and so
many other kinds of animals that Il can
not begin to name them all.
And the sea lions! While we were
looking at them one dived down in the
water and came up again right at me.
1t scared me almost to death. We could
| stay but an hour in the zoo, but we
enjoyed it.
In going back to the city we stop
ped a while on the top of the big hill
and looked all over the city and could
see Newport and Covipgton on the
river in Kentucky. 1t vas a pretty
| sight and I don't think Flora and I
will ever forget it.
We left Cincinnati on Wednesday,
July 8, at noon, on the Chesapeake &
Ohio railroad, and l tell you,papa,t that
great big, long train certainly did
run fast. While passing through the
mountains in West Virginia we saw a
great deal of beautiful scenery, but 1
can't now remember the names of the
places.
We got to Richmond, Va, at $3.50
O'Clock Thursday morning, July 8. We
ate our breakfast at the depot restau-
rant, and the coffee was so good, and
while we were eating breakfast we
named the places that you told us
about, and we were so impatient to
start.
We first went to the old Monu-
mental church, not far from the de-
pot. You know, it stands where a
great big theatre, packed with peo-
pie, a burned, and a great many
people were burned up. Flora and /
got some relics and will bring them
home. Then we went to the City Hall,
a great big granite building, and it is
SO fine and pretty. Flora and l went
clear to the top-in the highest tower
and saw all over the city. The man,
| who went with US, pointed out to us
everything, and We enjoyed it. Then
we went to the Capital Square. You
told Us how pretty it was, and how
you used to watch around there when
you were at old Richmond College and
during the war, too. We looked at
] Washington's monument. He looked
grand on that fine horse. And there
stood a lot of old fellows all around
Washington-Patrick Henry, Thos.
Jefferson, MIR Mason and some more,
and close by was the statue of Stone
wall Jackson and not far off was a
white statue of Henry Clay.
The Capitol Square is filled with
squirrels and they are right tame.
Flora and ! played with them; they
would eat out of our hands. The grass
was so green and pretty and such
nice walks. We went into the capitol
building and saw the first stove brought
to America and a chair given to
Gen. Washington by Queen Anna
mighty uncomfortable looking one
We went into the DON where Aaron
Burr was tried for treason and sat
down In the chair where Washington
and other grand old men sat. W.
went into the small chamber and hall
of the house of delegates and in the
new library roo and picture gallery
and saw a whole lot of things and
curiosities.
We then went up to the old Rich
mond College, where you graduated
before the a 1t is a beautiful build
ing. Near by it stood the equestrian
statue of Gen. Robt. E. Lee. 1t Is
grand.
We then went to Reservoir Park
and then to Chimborazo Park and
rested while and drank some mineral
water. I tried to remember what you
told me about you being In Chimborazo
hospital when you were wounded DUR
ing the war, and now that park is right
there. Is that right?
Then we went to the greatest place
Of all, old st. Johns church, where
Patrick Henry made his great proverb
that we read about in the school books,
"Give me liberty or give me DEATH"
We all sat down in Patrick Henry's
pew and looked around; we all felt
right funny. We ate our lunch in the
old church yard among the tombstones
and, after resting awhile, reading
epitaphs on the tombstones, we left
for the depot to get on the 3 O'Clock
p. m. train for Petersburg. We
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