The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1899-07-29
From Professor Patrick.
Plainfield, Ind, July 18, 1899.

.
Plainfield. Ind. July 1s, 1899.
To the Pupils Of Colfar High School:
Although am spending my vaca-
ton far away from you, have not
forgotten one OF you, and look for
ward anxiously to the time when
we shall resume our school labors. l
sincerely hope you are all having a
delightful vacation. Prof. Hines and
had pleasant trip by boat from
Colfax to New Orleans. 1t was quite
a treat to me to spend two days in
the Crescent city, for it is magniti-
cent city, indeed.
Separating with the Professor there
l came directly to my home, over the
Queen and Crescent railroad, travers-
ing en- route the following States:
Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio,
and Indiana. 1t is one of the most
picturesque routes OF the south. At
Chattanooga, Tenn, an observation
car was attached to our train, thus
enabling us t. get a good view of
"Old Look Out Mountain" which is
but link in the chain of wonderful
scenery and historic associations
which go hand in hand all about
Chattanooga.
Our train passed through twenty
seven tunnels, by actual count, be-
tween Chattanooga and Cincinnati,
some of them quite lengthy. Ienjoy-
ed the mountain scenery very much.
1t may interest you to hear some
thing about my home, which is on
the Vaudalia railroad, IA miles west
of Indianapolis. 1t is a quiet little
place of $500 people The old Nation
al wagon road, extending across the
continent from east to west, pierces
the heart of the place. The common
schools are run in connection with
the high school, same as yours, but
pupils are so numerous as to necessi-
tate the employment of six teachers.
The State Reform School for boys is
located here, which has in connection
with it farm of some 800 acres, in
dustrial education being given most
stress. There is also an Academy
here for both sexes, which is largely
attended by students from various
portions of the county.
If you were here now you would see
vast fields of wheat, which has heen
harvested, and is being threshed at
present; quite a contrast to the snowy
cotton fields of your section.
lspent the 4th of July with rela-
tives at Rockville, this State. The
exercises of the day were held at the
park near by, called "The Shades OF
Death, a beautiful place of 100 acres,
through which Rock creek flows, con-
tanning cliffs, waterfalls, and deep
caverns, some of which are not sur
passed even by the canyons of Colo
RADIO, so tourists declare The large
gathering of people were entertained
in the forenoon by a band concert,
and a unique flag raising, the emblem
OF our country being hoisted by SOL
diers of three armies, viz: Confeder-
ate, Federal, and those who partici-
pated in the late Spanish-American
war. In the afternoon patriotic ad-
dress was delivered by an able speak
err whose theme was: sour Country,
Our Army, Our Navy"
l am enjoying my vacation and
think have about entirely recovered
my health. have been amazed since
returning at the change twenty
months has brought about. So
many friends have either taken their
departure to other portions of tthe
country or to the great beyond, while
lam confronted with unfamiliar faces
constantly. l can not help, while look
ing upon this, with being impressed
with the fact that life is so uncertain,
and the change time brings about.
IenjOyed Prof. Hines letter SO much,
in the Chronicle, and know you all
were delighted with it, hope he will
get to visit me this month, and re-
turn with me to Colfax, via Kansas
and the Indian Territory, where we
shall spend a portion of the month OF
August. l am afraid ! have overtax-
ed your patience, SO will close, hoping
to gee you all soon. was grieved to
know little Blanche had been taken