The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1898-03-30
WRITTEN FOR THE CLIMAX
BUCK CREEK cRANKLETS, FROM ESTILL
COUNTY.

MY recent trip to Richmond was a
source of no little enjoyment. went
via Little Rock, Pamela and Frog Town,
the latter OF which L noted in my diary
as the City of Magnificent Distan ices.
suggested by the non proximity O.. its
superb public edifices, splendid platial
residences and sky-scraping mercantile
establishments. BY the courtesy cf
resident who measures all terrestrial
distances from Frog Town, as a center,
aud by the assistance OF pair of excel
lent bifocals, l was enabled to catch
at both long and short range the multi
tudlnous attractions of this seemingly
overlooked City of the Occident. The
voluminous and patient Collins, whose
monumental History of Kentucky is
the delight OF every school boy, died
oblivious even of its existence. Histo-
rian 4. F. Smith, aided by the accunlu
lated data and statistics of century,
knew not its geographical position and
importance. The genius of the gifted
O'Hara, Kentucky's sweetest singer,
found not here theme for his muse.
As the first chronicler of its existence
and the feeble but faithful POrtrsyer of
its sublImities, realize indeed | have
not lived in vain. Long live Frog Town.
Little Rock, a quiet, sleepy village is
situated on the south bank of the his
toric Drowning Greek. The repulsive
name of this stream is suggestive OF
some dire tragedy of former times. Its
crystal waters l am informed afford nu-
tritious brain food for the jewellers along
its meanders, and a cool, invigOrating
retreat to multitude OF urchins when
oppressed by the fervent heat of the
sultry, midsummer days. Little Rock
Is destiRed to endure, Tor it is founded
upon a rock. Whatever the origin of |
the name, rock seems TO be the most |
abundant element within its corporate
limits.
At Pamela, a town of infinite eXpecta- |
tions and huge possibilities, l was kindly |
pointed out the coy and inviting resi-
dence OF ]. b. B, an ex-Estill citizen. |
Repairing thither, / was cordially re-
ceived and made the welcome recipient |
of that generous hospitality which beg |
gars description, and can only be be-
slowed and truly appreciated by tie
native-born Kentuckian. Pamela, !
must confess, for me possessed no special |
attractions. 1t principally consists of a |
diminutive blacksmith shop, modest |
church edifice, and pile of raiirord ties !
was forcibly impressed as L contin-
ued my journey, even TO within the gates
of your city, of manifest absence of
that golden prosperity so graphically |
pictured by some of the campaign de-
Chalmers of go. The promises and pre-
dictions of the office-seeker and politi- |
clan are seldom ever fully realized, and |
the dear people" are slowly but surely |
awakening to the importance of doing
their own thinking in matters political.
Homemade predictions are, as rule, |
less expensive and far less disappoint-
ing in the end. Let each be fully per
suaded in his own mind"
The free turnpike system, which Oh
tains in your county, seems to be the
proper thing, but 1t remains to be seen |
whether your roads can be maintained
at their former standard of excellence or
not. | found the dirt roads of Madison |
county in splendid condition for travel,
attributable in large measure to free
Iurnpikes. In my county, sad to relate,
nothing is free unless it be mountain
dew" which is exempt at least from the
burden of revenue taxation. From my
home to Pamela the roads were
gretched, indeed, presenting at frequent
intervals fathOmless chasms in compari-
son with which the crater of Nesuvius
would be, Not there, not there, my
child" But thanks to the illustrious
George of cherry tree nOtoriety (for it
was he who first blessed his children
with the patient and indefatigable don
key my sure-footed mule carried me
safely through without bruise or break,
and this day finds me surrounded by