Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1900-01-18
AThp Toward the Equator.

Mr.. EDITOR Possibly your readers
would think il no waste OF time on cold
winter evenings to read the experiences of
one OF Vermont's natives while on his
way to a warmer climate for few
months, not OF his own free will, but by
order of his better half in obedience to
the Injunction OF the good book, "hus-
bands, obey your wives"
As had travelled the route TO Wash
ington, ID. O., many times during the war
OF the rebellion and since, everything
thereon seemed familiar. 1t was when
we took the train from Washington for
Richmond that feeling OF awe came over
me. The train was loaded with ex-con-
iederates, and we on our way to Rich
mond, which had spent four years try.
ing to enter Although 81 years ago II
seemed but yesterday. As no armed foe
appeared, a ride OF about five hours
brought us to Richmond, a distance Of
about 100 miles. Thinking we could see
the city better by daylight, we remained
until morning, but the weather being
cold, with winds blowing, 1t was no place
Tor us and we again moved on, our OBJ
jective point being Atlanta, Ga.
The most notable thing on this route
to northern man who Is used to fertile
fields and green pastures, is barren
country, no sod, desert. Corn, cotton
and few sweet potatoes are raised by the
use OF fertilizers. Only few white peo.
ole live along the way, in little huts from
10 to IS feet square (the exception is 20 II.
square.) Fully one fourth OF the houses
have no glass windows, but wood shutters,
which are opened on hinges to let in the
light.
Arriving at Atlanta after ride of $50
miles in 80 hours through the most bar
rem country that ever beheld, we found
ourselves in the most beautiful city of the
F.v4 . FT "a
Boston and New York and has popula-
ton OF 10000 souls, as a tourist from
Kansas said, "with their Sunday clothes
on"
Atlanta being the center of attraction
for Gen. sherman on his march to the sea,
II is naturally point OF deep interest to
Grand Army man. Atlanta is called
typical northern city. Surely one-halt
the population are from the North. The
panorama OF the battle OF Atlanta, shown
here, is thing oigreat interest to north
ern people, as well as southern. Every
state in the uni ion is represented here.
A visit to the university for colored
people will long be remembered. IL has
spacious grounds of 300 acres, on high
elevated land, covered with small oaks.
The school was established and is sup.
ported by the Baptist society OF the North.
The president is colored man from Mas
sachusetts. The weather for the eleven
days' stay here has been very cold, save
one day. was so lost without our north.
ern stores. II was impossible to keep
warm. A southern fire. place in your
room IL about as warm thing as north
ern fire bug in June.
II is IS tine to spit on the sidewalks OF
Atlanta. It is no uncommon thing for the
ladies to train their dresses from to 20
inches, with no effort to carry them clear
OF the walk.
But alas after we had thawed one side,
then changed to the other for eleven days,
l again received orders to move on.
ITO be continued
q. w. FLAGG,
Arcadia, Fla. (275 miles south of jack
sonyille, near Punta Gorda.)