Year: 1875

midst of the beautiful and fertile valley Of the Scioto
directly the banks of the river of the same name
and has about $1,000 inhabitants 1t surrounded by
rich agricultural region divided up into large estates
which are owned by old and aristocratc families,
mostly from Virginia ancestors 1t reminds one more
OF the Shenandoah Valley in Virginia than part of
Western State There small farms, and conse-
quenty lack Of population and want of thrn. Taking
the valley through its entire length and breadth and
1000 acres would probably be average estate while
many of them high as 5000 These immense
farms are poorly worked by tenants and the owners
live life of and comfort either in the little towns
or upon their estates in spacious family mansions built
as far from the road eligible location will
admit About two miles south of the town is the farm
Of Governor Allen,


A GRAND ESTATE
OF some 400 acres near the centre of which, upon the
brow Of HILL $50 feet above the town. stands his
residence real old castle built of sandstone on the
plan of the old Virginia mansions with halls wide
enough for parors and walls strong enough for fort
and great roomy porches running around the whole
building It's full mile from the main road to the
house. and you have to follow struggling road through
uncouth wood, filed with underground, and open
three gates before you really get to


FRUIT HILL.


When there, however, you find beautiful place. fairly
clean and neat surrounded by prouson of fruit and
shade trees, blooming flowers and twning evergreens
All around the place are varieties of grapes of the
choicest cuts and in the cellar the growth of years
preserved into fine old wines. From the great broad
porch upon which tho owner spends most of his pleas
ant days. you have delightful view of the valley for
miles around taking in the town and the country the
river and the mountains that form the background
extensive and pleasing picture


A DOZEN ESTATES,





here and retredpoliticans live within sight of this
place than any other dozen points in the State 1t
my luck 10 be at "Fruit Hill" pleasant day and with
plenty of time devote the object of my visit AS
the rickety old hack that drove up from the depot
drew up before the house


THE OLD GOVERNOR
was the first to greet u.s. He was dressed in full suit
of black-looked as neat as pin and acted smart
rs a man of forty After introduction and exchange
of compliments hour spent at the dinner
table, after which took the porch for cigar and
chat The party consisted OF the Governor his son-in
law Dr. Scott; the Governors Assistant Adjutant Gen.
eral, General c. H. Sergeant, an old newspaper man.
who served half century the staff of the Gin
cinnat Enquirer, and your correspondent AS as
we were fairly under way and the Governor found his
favorite position asked for his views upon the Ohio
campaign


WHAT TO SAY.


"Certalnly" said he; "for the HERALD why know
well when it first started 1 began taking it thirty
years ago or more. It's the standard newspaper of
America knew the elder Bennett well; we were
often together in Washington when I in the
Senate" The Governor then went with interesting
"reminiscences about all the great of the past with
whom he associated while in public fe and for
hour he kept us with his anecdotes In fact he
always the positive part of the talk and you only
had to give him suggestion to get speech upon any
question upon which you wished his views


'Beat them did you say2


.ewhy certainly we will beat them" said the Gov
ernor, with strong emphasis as inquired what he
thought of the prospects 'Dont the Cincinnati Com
mercial say that a of destiny and in close
fight to win," facetously continued the compeer
Of Clay and Webster and besides the people with
in this fight and do not regard the result likely
to be close"


THuRMAN's SPEECH.


''what do you think of Thurmans speech and posi-
ton ?" inquired


''Well sir, think my nephew has made mistake
and the people in temper overlook such bunders
Thurman, you know, is lawyer, and they much
given to special pleading and rarely, if ever states
men. They are politicians, who make brilliant Efforts
perhaps but look ahead, while always
foresee results" replied the Governor.


'what do you think Of that part of his speech which
says that the financial question is not issue in this
country p " asked.


''well" said the Governor. pleasantly that's of
his adrot special pleas of which his speech is made up
Thurman is good lawyer, you know. But" said he
warming up 'ths financial question is the great ISSUE
There is no lodging it, and stand ready to say that
upon its decision the fate of the democratic party in
this State depends This talk about contraction and
return to specie payment is bosh sir continued the
Governor.


MONEY


"Why," suggested, 'the papers say you were


Az ORIGINAL HARD MONEY MAN"


$50 was" interrupted the Governor, ''when the
business of the country was in a condition that made
such step possible aud without bankruptng the
ton. Why, sir, when was Congress the Secretary
Of the Treasury ono morning placed upon desks
circular which gave the information that on that date
he had paid the last dollar of the national debt
and had big jollfcation that day Browns Hotel
over it, or course was then in favor of specie nav.
mcnts and would be again ifit were not for the debt
hanging the nation. But do not care to 20 into
the details upon this financial question.





will be devoted entirely TO that subject and will be
clearer and extended view OF it than to give
now" he continued


"How large a meeting did Thurman have ?" he asked,
knowing was present


''About eight hundred " replied.
al thought so People have tastc for stump cs-
says" he added. "Why, sir, / never prepared a
speech in my hfe and never expect to- he continued
"and such thing was unknown among public men Of
my day. What. do people want to sit and listen to
man reading dry speechS tell you they won't do it,
air."


SENATE "REMINISCENCES.


CHOW long since you were in the Senate ?' asked.
'Twenty-six years. left the Senate in lS49 he re-
Piled land never expected 10 enter public life again. |
came home and settled down to my farm duties and
study. found great pleasure in scientific and histori
cal research and devoted myself TO IL with pleasure and
profit was often importuned to leave my secluson
and go back into politics, but always refused and would
be Governor Of Ohio except for the appeals of
personal friends, whose solicitations did not feel at
liberty decline"


The Governor then went for an hour giving his
tory OF his political hermitage and Of incidents con-
ncctcd Herewith and OF his carly fe his struggle for
prominence &c He said that no had often said TO his
friends that "to be President a small honor, and
hardly worth the effort necessary the place. To rule
the solar system, with the sun for capital might be
temptation but even that seemed insignificant
labor beside the study Of vast scientific subjects" The
Governor then went on for an hour or
about history and science, making applca-
lion of historical facts to the present condition Of