Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-05-08
WHAT ATLANTA VETERANS
SAW ON THE DALLAS. TRIP

The twelfth annual. reunion of Confed-
crate Veterans has passed-the greatest
and most orderly Of them all is the verdict
of many. The crowd was enormous and
computed at many thousands. But the
great state of Texas was equal for the
emergency and handled the crowd with
dispatch, kindly and Hospitality, the spirit
which as ever characterized these people.
Her generosity was as great as her vast
domain of territory
Camp Walker selected the route through
Indian Territory, and we have no regrets.
as the scenery fully compensated every
observing one. over $500 miles Of terri
tory we Travelled. The broad, level acres,
as far as the eyes could see, with growing
crops of corn, now in cultivation, and oats
heading out, foretold these sturdy sons OF
the soil were nearing on to plenty. This
vast expanse of country Is devoted to
grass, grain and roaming herds Of cattle
and frolicsome colts. The people are con-
fronted with the scarcity of labor, offer
ing 800 and board for nine hours work.
Couldn't our city furnish few hundred
without much hurt to any one? -
After leaving Dallas we passed into In
dian Territory with its enormous coal
fields 1t is also a country well adapted to
field crops as well as stock raising. Then
we merged into Arkansas with its tower
ing cypress trees, valuable in the CONNER
cial world for the manufacture OF sash.
blinds and inside finish work 1t is noted
for fine finish and lightness. Much Of this
timber Is used in the east. I saw an order
not long since for S. 1000 worth Of this class
of lumber. After arriving at Little Rock
we radiated at an angle OF As degrees and
a distance of Sc miles to the celebrated
Hon Springs, one of the wonders of ma
ture Water and steam issue from crevice
and cavern, and the water is so hot that
acupful of It placed upon the hand would
be unbearable, yet II can be readily drunk,
with magical effects upon the system At
ter leaving this spring we ran upon an
alum spring. Here we beat a hasty re-
treat. Across the street, adjoining the
opera house, on Central avenue, we found
COOL pure, sparkling water as clear as
crystal the spring known as the Alternative
magnesia spring. / imbibed much of this
water and believe 1t holds in solution a
number Of most valuable agents for a
debilitated condition of the system, such
as stomach and kidney trouble. Here
great nature resorts are in the confines OF
the government reservation and are strict
" guarded from mutilation and deface-
ment. OF the surrounding property only
us feet are sold on either side of the
streets for stores and building purposes.
We also found here some fine hotels and
one Of the finest equipped hot bath and
sweating rooms.
We visited the ostrich farm, consisting
of thirty-five fine birds. some OF them be-
ing named for distinguished men-Bryan,
Roosevelt, Funston. Sullivan, Hobson and
Mckinley, Hobson being the tallest, meas
uring ten and half feet, and Mckinley
the largest, finest and f1ercest of all,
weighing $50 pounds. The average weight
Is about go pounds. The challenge to
combat is designated by coarse, roaring
sound Another sign is to fall upon its
knees, feet forward. throwing wing and
head from side to side. He is then ready
to give one a Knockout, which can be cas-
fly accomplished by a stroke of one of
hts feet. There Is only one chick at the
farm. and it was two days old when we
saw It. 1t is a strange fact that these
birds never mate but once. SIS
Our trip was one of enjoyment and
pleasure from start to finish. all arriving
safely at home. with. the exception of
Comrade Joseph Afford. who came home
a very sick man. The parade was conced-
ed by all to be the finest. largest and best
conducted for many years.
Let us tip our hats to Georgia and the
uniformed Daughters Of Camp Walker as
receiving an ovation worthy of note. And
last. but not least. ''Rueker." with his war
badges and calling the ROLL was the cen
ter of attraction. Our camp was well rep
resented and compared favorably with any
troops in the line Of march.
JAMES G.. RAMSEY. =