The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1899-07-07
IN THE SOUTH.


III what traye'ers tell us ls tr'e' th"
the mode Of conveyance OF country Is
true indication Of the development Of
people then We must admit that the ex'
tremes of the Miss'ppi valley are some
years apart still. In the north we see
rapidly moving vehicies-here the mule
or OK team. Yet all brilliant generalIEinG
is apt to be deceiv!ng, so while the south
draws her water in the old fashioned
way with bucket and thain, drinks out
of a ''gode" and still eIings to many
primitive ways, is fast awakening to her
wonderful possibilities as her railroads,
mills and manufactor es show. A pro-
gressive han told me that TIE day vas
not far distant when the cotton would
be made into cloth on the banks OF the
streams that terlilize the soil.
MANY historic memories cling around
some OF the attractions OF Southland,
Lookout mountain, Missionary ridge and
Chicamaugua bring pictures, vivid IN the
mind OF many who wore the nlue ana
gray. Despite tue fact that tourlst,sto
writer and historian had told the story
of the battle in glowing style, yet us in-
terest was never so great MS when told IN
the rich, soft tones OF the darky guide
who claims to have "fout' in the var
ious battles. ! must confess that some
serious doubts sole into my mind as to
the veracity OF the captain" lor he
looked so Young, but have since learned
that while "all coons don't looS alike,
they live long time and do not get old
looking until they are very aged. l
knr W one old aunty who came from All
rica, and she is still spry and lively and
happy as the most o them are despite
her firm belief IN 'hants, witches and
'hodoes.h
Ruston, the town from which this let
ter is addressed you, is located IN north
La, among the p ne hills. 1t is town
about the size OF Lebanon whose chief
attractions are the Industrial institute
and the Chatauqua q ounds. Tie former
is an institution similar to the y. A. e.,
but still in its infancy and the latter q
grove of trees, mineral spring and
buildings nee, ssary to conduct q success
full summer school. 1t seems so odd that
this spo. with its meager attractions
should bring people from all the neigh
boring states TO take their outing. II a
little patch OF woods from the front and a
bit OF the beautiful Santiam could be
brought here the people woulo so wild. i,
Interspersed among the pines around
are sunny slopes OF corn and cotton.
The cotton is now about IL or Is inches
high and the prospect OF the crop good.
The corn is suffering for rain.
The climate of course is very dltierent
from Oregon being warmer by day and
night. The latter are perfectly charm
ing. The air is so warm and careSsIng,
the moon SO bright and the crickets and
katydids keep up a merry time doubtless
holding fairy revel lighted by the tiny
fire flies. The evening is the time TO call
and alt the inhabitants hold at homes
upon the "gallery," as they say.
The only draw back is that the climate
is terribly enervating. A TACT that te Is
much of the backwardness OF the south
in development q,
The houses here are low. with hall
extending clear through to procure a
draft. The rooms are large and airy
and the chimney built on the outside.
Ii is surprising what kind OF shanty
will do Tor a darkey to call home. Little
old, tumbled down out houses serve to
shelter q whole family OF these creatures
who never have the blues.
The climate forces the people to wear
only the lightest OF clothes. The
nlen wesripg duck and linen suits and
the women dainty white or very light
clothes. The women seem to be fond OF
dress and as consequence look pretty.
The fan is as necessary as collar ana IL
is pretty to zee them use It. Practice
has brought an ease and grace with It's
every movement and it Is charming.
The ladies, too, never wear hats after
smdowu, except 20 church, or the street
or to all entertainments they are consid.
cred out OF place. There is no need
of bonnet laws here. Good sense and
nature have regulated it well.
AS a matter OF fact, the gentlemen
here are more polite and attentive to la
dies, The southern gallantryy you read ol
! is not myth but an actual fact. An pass
ing a group OF men sitting talking they
will rise and lift their hats. There are
many "trifies light as air" but pretty at
tentions that women 80 love.
Rev. and Mrs. White are living here
their cottage is truly a pretty bit Q
southern home life. Its low porch II
covered with luxuriant vines and thu
lawn shady with trees under which Mr.
White has his hammock for an afternoon
sesta. stuart, the son, is now a pract-
icing and prosperous physician, haVinnl
graduated at Baltimore and done o. u
work in n. Y. He is married and he anc
his wife live here with Mr.. and Mrs
White. Manywill remember the pret I,
wedding in the Southern Methods
church Of Rev. II. Carville Carson an'
Miss Leila White. Rev. Carson is nov
a professor in the Industrial 1nstitut
here having charge OF the natural scienc
department. They have two dear llttl
children Miss Dorthy and little Carville
making home where the wedding bell
are still in tune.
There are others who are fond Of swee
Oregon and who Song for its beautifu
valleys and ocean breezes, there are Mri
Minnie Arnold, her son Earnest and
Yours,