Newspaper Page Text
Pi
I^^PRICES’ CALL AND EXAMINE my STOCK. CHEAPER THAN EVER. W. WARFIELD*
MoftH Dfll&Ofif&t I ™ E EXCURSION. tation3 -” What with the clear blue knowing n«r m.wi with wi, Z »7~
[Week
IcM “MATTERS.
• Oak City Hook jj
Company.
r ,t your Truck House on
i 0 full uniform, at 5 o’clock,?
r, iB (lie Annual Parade of
R. A.]
|f, Wright-
Miry p' u tpm
pavement Prattle-
Uys are
long now, very long—and
Uan long-
IAtlanta letter reached us too late
Li-ue. " HI keep until next week.
f^ird a fellow cursing the greasy
1^.15the other day—a ruined coat.
I, Monday being the first of May,
T.day for Paying city licenses.
J, -. Carncross gave another one of
(flightful soirees last evening.
new Sheriff’s levy advertised this
and but one from the Marshal,
'entennial opens next Wednesday,
laity are going from Bainbridge ?
l-devil” keeps running away. Will
(oJy please mtiim him ?
Jappo.se the Cornels will take a
lrawhile now'.
lire soon to have specie change,
if rattle the nickels though.
;a crop is a success this year.
I is simply abundant—sullicient
. all demands,
, Colbert, President of the Marble
the season will open formally
| r y few days.
• «f folks sorry they didn’t go on
L-ursion. We told ’em so, but they
[;n't listen to us.
Lniin Tuesday was a good thing for
rjfdctis. We suppose the farmers
| ; -.)d over it too.
cents per dozen; country but-
wtty-live cents per pound; chickens
y cents a piece.
: ; lud refreshing rain on Tuesday,
i good deal more yet. We have
: ud how far the rain extended.
' a-v.tr sa-.v the like of pretty chil
ls-were out at the Cemetery last
br-tlity.
f hear of cow and hog thieves prowl,
ml through the county. Vigilance j
Idiot.
;rb-ise b ill boys are coming right
-ito hard practice, in anticipation of
lliwiimville Fair game.
-ti-ii' for th ■ Marshal to be looking I
if the open cisterns. The musquito
I WHAT MIGHT BE CALLED ‘A
GRAND SUCCESS ”
From Bainbridge to the Gulf.
I Details of this Most Enjoyable
Occasion.
|ers of the Democrat will re-
I from time to time, during”
| months, an Excursion to
kbeen frequently alluded
^tlie 27th of last month
feyent was consumma-
FOOT,
yinee of steam-
jiams, arrived
the 26th,
ycursion-
kon the
for, Or, discus-
- adelega-
other
ist?7
qui vtve]
sing the pro]
tion from Quin
towus and villages'
largely represented.
it it
rntt l.i
ul titae to In
tttclt things
;in to talk about
We hear noth
Vit ; a a 1 Vi nm *r clothes are all
i.viiow. Hill Wright has on hislrg
•boughl in !$;>D.
. ain't it in time for another hand
[ i in ! monkey to come along? Things
siting d-.ll.
.- !i >p of the Oak City boys, at TIop-
iiiii .Monday’ night, will i>e a nice af-
nfly everybody who went on tile
|v.r>iou brought back a small cargo of
i‘schedule on the railroad haschang-
Tiie train arrives now at 7.Mb a. m.,
Ikves at 4 :30 p. m.
aeCamilla Enterprise finds the salu-
•jf hard times, and says that if the
A can't get bacon [they can eat go-
police arrested on Tuesday a small
fcfal liov about eight years of age, who
I made, within the past few days, three
to steal horses.
IBs Oak City fire company held a
ping last week, at which several new
i were elected members of the
Rtany.
tie next fro'ic on the programme for
ihridge folks is the Floral Fair -at
Nasville. We suppose everybody is
|lpon hearing of destitution in the
, Capt. Smith, our Representative
^Congress, contributed $50 for chari-
? purposes.
| A petition was sent to Council this
ftk asking a reduction in the butcher
®nsc, which was signed very numerous-
j'by our citizens.
Iike Superintendent of the Gulf Rail-
»d Ims quit publishing his schedule in
'Democrat. Our people can subscribe
r Some paper down the road, -however,
find out how the trains run.
! A St. Louis woman says that a good
r- tzer never shows her ankles, and that
uo worse to encircle a lady’s waist
f ’* 1 - our arm than to liug your friend’s
ptcr on the* back stairs,
j Mi. Hiram Cordson, of Apalachicola,
Tone time a resident of Bainbridge, has
r" appointed second clerk on the Big
-^ r - Cordson is an affable young
pieman, and well qualified for the po-
Jake Ellis, colored, was well pleased
tli his trip to Savannah as juryman in
-- F niteil States Court, but was not sat-
J "ith the presiding Judge, because
‘ ''ould not let him sleep while sitting
-Up jury box.—Dawson Journal.
e have heard it said—disremember
"lto or whom—that a woman is quali-
, t0 fid every position iD life that a man
" e don’t believe it. For instance
what
"'Oman could loaf around on
0a d street ami lie about bow many fish
- caught in one day last Summer?
e understand that a movement is on
*' to induce our merchants to sign an
lament to patronize the Big Foot ex-
^ iTe >y, in preference to the Central
-oopoly Line. This is a good thing, and
.hall have more to say on the subject
” week. _ 1
Shortly after the arrival of the Big
Foot, the steamer Wylly, of the* *• %
CENTRAL MONOPOLY LINeJ^SH
put in an appearance at our wharf, con
siderably’ ahead of her regular time This*
freak of Capt. Samuel J. Whitesides, the
General Agent of said Line, who was
aboard of the Wylly, was soon explained,
however. His object was, if possible,
TO BREAK OP THE BIG FOOT EXCURSION
party. Now the littleness, and we may
1 say meanness, of this piece of illegi imate
steamboat competition is apparent, when
we remark, that Mr. Ben. E. Russell, who
made up the Excursion party, secured the
steamer, etc., for the Cornet Band, would
have taken the Wylly for the trip, if she
had have had sufficient passenger accom
modation, but was informed by her cour
teous commander, Capt. Henry Moore,
that she could only accommodate twenty-
five persons. Air. Russell then proposed
to Capt. Moore to have the Julia St. Clair,
a larger steamer, here ou that occasion,
when lie was informed by Capt. M. that
it would be impossible as the Julia would
be getting ready for, we believe, the
“Snapper Club” annual excursion about
that time. The main reason why Mr.
Russell would have taken a Central Boat
for the Excursion was, that Capt. Moore
proposed to take them for a dollar less
per passenger than the Big Foot had done,
but the limited accommodations of the
available boat precluded such a possibili-
ty.Now with this explanation we will state
for the public benefit what Capt. S. J.
Whitesides of the Central Line proposed to
do, and we leave our readers to judge as
to whethei or no it was honest and legiti
mate competition. The terms .Mr. Russell
had concluded with the Big Foot were
these; A trip to Aj> dachicol-t, a cruise in
the Btiy, visiting St. George’s Island, and
lvtui ii to Bainbridge, for $6 each the
round trip, which included meals, etc.
Tin.' rate was cbu-idcreu little enough, as
t.ie steamer would be ah.-ent three, and
possibly four days. Upon iiiis a r range-
men* a party was made up. Now conus
(’apt. Whitesideio his hatred to the op-
posiUon line, and proposes to take Excur
sionists for the round trip at fid par head,
being j ist li.df Fiat of the Fig Foot. This
was so we learn, telegraphed by C apt.
Whitesides everywhere irotn whence there
was a possibility of an excursionist com
ing. Now this procedure was not a
blow at Fie Big Foot half so much as it
was at the Excursion Party itself. Observe
—the Central Line would have taken the
Excursion,—was given the refusal of it—
provided they could accommodate it—but
upon their own showing, they could not do
no, and, hence, their after-action, was as
much like the “dpg in the manger,” as
that historical and veritable dog himself.
In concluding ibis part of our narrative,
we simply remark that Capt. Whitesides
action greatly benefitted the Big Foot
party, which
NUMBERED OVER SEVENTY PEOPLE,
and not one who had intended going on
the Excursion at all went on the Wylly—
and further our estimate of the whole
little business is unanimously concurred
iu by the entire excursion party.
THE START.
The morning of April 27th Wi
bright and lovely as any day that
dawned on earth, and quite early
casual observer might wot* an unusual
bustle of preparation for wane near event
going ou in our midst. The Atlantic and
Gulf train arrived ou time with a number
of persons from Thomasville and Quit-
man for the Excursion. They were at
once driven to the steamer, and made
comfortable for the trip. The Coruet
Band, under Prof. Rosenfeld, then played
one of their most spirited pieces, for the
benefit of the large number of our - itizen,
who lined the banks and wliar /es to wit
ness the steamer’s departure.
At 10 o’clock, the Big Foot was shoved
off into the stream, and like a “thing of
life,” she gracefully glided down the
gentle Thronateeska, with fifty passengerss
on her way to the Gult.
THE MERRY DANCE REGINS.
A splendid string band was aboard of
the boat, aud before we bad passed the
“Barge Yard Bend,” a cotillion was form
ed, and the merry dance commenced.
And just here 'enpassant, we would note
the fact, that more pretty women are sel
dom ever seen together in one party.
SCENERY—THE RIVER.
The river from Bainbridge to its junc
tion with the Chattahoochee is quite at
tractive and picturesque; its banks cloth
ed in the richest verdure of Spring, while
the wild flowers an;’ jessamines waft their
delicious perfume through every breeze
that fans the cheek. For a considerable
portion of the way the country is quite
diversified. Here, large oak-embowered
hdls stand in bold relief iu front of the
landscape; and there, the scene break off
in a succession of level lands, which.jonce
upon a time, were denomtnnated
‘Plan
tations.” What with the clear blue
springs that here and there broke into
the river in short, abrupt but peliucid
streams, the miniature islands which fre-
quentl / divide the swift current, and the
many obj ects of nature continually pre
seating themselves to the eye, those of
the excursionists who desired to inspect
the country’ kept busily employed until
the
WHISTLE BLEW FOR CHATTAHOOCHEE,
the village at the junction of ihe Flint
(Indian name'Thronateeska) and Chatta
hoochee rivers. At this village is located
tile Florida State Penitentiary, of which
we shall speak hereafter, and is the west
ern terminus of the Jacksonville, Pensa
cola and Mobile Railroad. Here we had
quite an accession to our party from Mid
way, and Quincy, running our list up to
over seventy people. After a short stay,
the Big Foot continued her way, being
now on tlie broad
APALACHICOLA RIVER.
The country all along this stream is
very low and flat, there being no hills to
Qljpi telieve its dull monotony save at Aspa-
where a few dirty straggling shanties
are dignified with the name of “town.”
and at a log-cabin and di'apidated dwell
ing house farther down, called “Bristol.”
Jtjwaa at this latter place in, we believe,
tfee year 1859, that the new and splendid
steamer John C. Calhoun ex
ploded, killing, twelve er-fifteeu persons,
and completely demolishing the bout.
The Calhoun; so the old pilot Juan who
has been on the riverforty-o^d
w’as not only the fineBtJUlittt
boat ever on the river? Th#
elusive growth upon the badteci
alachicola, excepting the cane-'
cotton-wood. For a dozen miles TJB
this dense forest of cotton-wood proves
agreeable to the eye, but when you can
see nothing else for a hundred and fifty
miles but a broad muddy river fringed on
either side by this everlasting cotton-wood,
you are forcibly reminded of eternity.
The inhabitants, and their habitations
along this river, are equally as monoto
nous as the cottou-w’ood trees of which
we have spoken. A log cabin 10 by 12
teet, two men, half dozen women, chil
dren in proportion, three acres of cleared
ground, a plow drawn by a speckled bob
tailed bull, put before your imagination
and you have the picture.
But this country has “prospects,” and
what is a man or a country without them.
The lands lying along this river for a dis
tance of one hundred and fifty miles are
considered the best
ORANGE GROWING SECTION
in the State of Florida. In the year 1858
the editor of this paper passed along the
river when there was no attention paid to
the cultivation of this profitable fruit, and
very little of it was raised and that an in
ferior article. Now that country ships
millions of oranges, and new groves are
continually coming on, so that at no very
distant day, this monotonous Apalachi
cola country wi'd be the most favored in
ail Florida. It is also, a splendid cattle
range. Summer and winter the immense
cane-brakes furnish the most nutritious
fo i l for the cattle, an 1 the beeves raised
there for the market are nowhere supe
rior.
OCHESEE,
is the name of a lan.lin ; on this river some
20 miles be!-*w Chattahoochee. Before
the war a gentleman, an extensive plant
er, lived there, and his place was one of
tlie most attractive anywhere to be found.
A handsome residence built on the old-
fasbiored “Southern Planter” style, still
remains, but is quite dilapidated. The
two grand old oaks in the yard,—or rath
er what used to be the yard—there is no
fence now—continue, and always will, to
be objects of the admiration of every
passer-by. We assisted some Northern
ladies to measure these forest monarchs,
and found one to measure 22 feet in cir
cumference and the other 22 j. The space
covered by the branches of tlie largest is
62 yards in circumference In one of
Mrs. Caroline Lee Heutz’s miscellaneous
works, we forgei now which, these mam
moth trees are described as only that dis
tinguished authoress could picture them.
A Mr. Brash now lives at Ochesee, and
bis pretty daughter joined *nd
accompaaiued .as
WetaiGwof.
nowWtft'stfe ¥ea&
kMlthe “N
eral yt^rs after the
navigators. From what we could learn
this slough was made by an abrupt break
of the the channel of the river, caused by
the obstructions placed in the bed during
the war. The current shoots out of the
main channel and runs with tremendous
force in an almost opposite direction, and
it is this swift, crazy stream that the
bof-ts have to follow. Of course, all along
this portion of the river it is flanked by
innumerable lakes and lagoons, hence the
abrupt change in the current. This slough
has been improved greatly by the Govern
ment, and while it still seems to a lands
man a terribly dangerous place, with such
good pilots as the Big Foot employs, there
is absolutely no danger whatever. The
Narrows last for a good many miles, and
are called so by the narrowness of the
stream, besides w’hich the many sudden
and unexpected bends, make the success
ful navigation of a steamer a science of
no little difficulty.
In ffoing through the Slough and the
Narrows, we stood near the pilot house,
and observed with no little astonishment
the skillful manner in which Charley
Marks and Uncle Juan handled the Big
Foot in those close places. This boat is
190 feet long, but notwithstanding she
made every point as gracefully and as
easily as if she were but a swan upon the
water We could not help but reflect
upon the great responsibility devolving
upon the pilot. Below in the cabin were
many joyous men and women whirling in
the giddy dance, oblivious to everything
but the bliss that surrounded them—not
knowing, nor indeed caring, with what
penl the steamer might at any moment be
surrounded, leaving all to the skill of the
“men at the wheel ”
The pilots, as if appreciating this confi
dence, are silently keeping the boat on
the right track. Not one single inch of
that river, or its banks, escapes their
watchful eyes. Their conversation is in
whispers, if at all, as some very difficult
chute is approached. We wonder how
they will ever be able to steer the bulky
steamer around that ragged cape of logs,
driftwood and deadly snags, and come
up into the ugly boiling stream that ap
pears to be running backward and for
ward at the same time. The wheel creaks,
the steamer bounds like a deer into, it ap
pears, the logs and driftwood—but no !
she passes them safely; “ting-a-ling” goes
the bell, the wheel stops, and floats
around into the “other river” as nice as
you would have it.
The Narrows are at length passed, the
river broadens into a perfect father of
waters, and the pilot sings out “we will
be in
APALACHICOLA IN 4 HOURS.”
“what is tlie distance ?” we ask. “Fifty
miles,” is the response. It is now past
midnight, and we attempt to tui n in for
a snooze—but the noise and chatter of the
merry passengers put such an idea out of
the question—so we sleep with our eyes
opeu.
THE SEVENTY PASSENGERS
are somewhat crowded when it comes to
sleepinff, and hence there is considerable
“acrouging.” One instance we will meu-
thm Graves, our handsome little tele
graph man, coiled himself up on the din
ing table, and was soon iu the land of
dreams, but was not destined to dream
long. A six-footer from Midway felt
sleepy and tnought he would share Graves’
table. He made several ineffectual at
tempts to remain on the table; he at last
opened a big knife with a six-inch blade,
rolled up on the table, and plunged the
knife into the table outside of Graves
edge towards him, while our Mid
way man hung on to the handle
keeping Graves under his arni, and with the
caution to him if “he moved he might cut
himself,” went off into “the land of nod.”
It wa£ sometime before our friend G. could
extricate himself, but a3 soon as possible he
did so and left J/idway possession of the
table.
WE ARRIVE AT APALACHITOIA
At about 3 o’clock the boat touched the
wharf at Apalachicola, where she lay until
daylight.. When day came, what a sight
met our eyes! What had been but a few
years ago the brightest, busiest and most
prosperous city on the Florida coast, now
stood before us a pile of ruins and a
scene of desolation. Fine brick stores, ex
pensive warehouses, elegant dwellings all
fell before the cyclone of three years ago.
But tlie town was dea l before this, and the
savage whirlwind had only the mean satis
faction of insulting a corpse. In tlie bay.
and at the wharves where we have seen one
hundred vessels either discharging or load
ing cargoes, and representing all nations,
now only ride at anchor a few contemptible
fishing-smacks. We mean, contemptible by
comparison. There are still m;ny hand
some buildings standing, and the orange
groves, and flower gardens are very attrac
tive—but we write il in sorrow, Apalachi
cola is a3 dead as the “cities of the plains,”
and it only remains for Time to remove its
last vesFge.
At 9 o’clock a. m., the steamer left the
wharf for
A CRUISE nows THE BAY
to St. George’s Islan-l, on which expedition
we were accompanied by a large delegation
of ladies and gentlemen from life town. The
bav was pretty rough when we started and
evidences of “sea-siokness” became mani
fest, but. the sea calming down, this unpleas
antness disappeared. The distance to t>-e Is
land was ten miles, and the trip was a per
fect treat, as the day was pleasant and a
stout sea-breeze invigorated us. Arriving
at the Island the Big Foot was beached and
the large parly quickly went ashore. The
point of the Island where we landed is a
narrow slip of land, from a hun Ired to two
hundred yards wide, and is only dry when
the tide is out, It is covered with beautiful
■arious kinds, of which each excar-
a number. From this Island
view of the
GCUt OF MEXICO,
l t.at,yp« feet, while the waves
dash the toWning surf arsand ftm. We
spent t wo or three hours mj the !•
gathering shetls^ahioitheF' ouriasifles.
a nujnber of gentlemen amused t-h
shooting at the Pelican and Sea Gui
which thousands were flying around. -jpB
lice to say the few hours spent ;; aiu.,thi
land were pleasant to the whole party.
The trip
A .BAQK. TO THE CITT
was a tended by nothing worthy of
note. ArFiting at tbe city, we had a
few hours more to look around,
and many availed themselves of the op
portunity. who returned to the boat
laden with choice fl iwers. oranges, etc.
At 6 o’clock Friday evening we bade
adieu to Apalachicola and started home
ward, the band playing that sweetest and
most inspired of all melodies
“HOME SWEET HOME.”
On the return trip there was nothing
worthy of note save an Indian Mound
below Oeheese, which was forty feet
high. Quite a number of the party
ascended to its summit. The whole
mound was covered with a thick growth
of cane, and many secured some first,
class fishing rods.
Just before arriving at Chattahoo
chee. which place we reached at 5
o’clock Saturday evening, a meeting of
all the passengers on the boat was call
ed in the cabin, which was presided
over by Mrs. Moore, of ^New Aork, the
proceedings of which are published else
where. We had three hours at Chat
tahoochee, and a number of us took ad
vantage of it to visit the
FLORIDA PENITENTIARY,
located there. These buildings once
constituted the U. S. Arsnel known as
Mt. \ernon, and erected in 1834. The
State of Florida purchased it from the
Government and transformed it into
the present Penitentiary. It is a pret
ty place, and if it was kept decently
and in order it would be a credit to the
State. As it is the buildings are di
lapidated, and the prison locks more
li ke a cow stable than a den for human
beings. Still the convicts we saw look
perfectly contented.
At 4 o’clock Sunday morning the
Big Foot arrived
in bainbridge;
and after the most pleasant excursion
of their lives, so each and all said, the
party whieh had been banded together
for three days in the common seeking
of recreation and pleasure, disbanded,
not without regret.
On the whole trip not one solitary
incident occurred in the least calcula
ted to mar the enjoyment of any one.
There were three Northern ladies *>r-->8-
ent with us, and they spoke in glowing
terms of the occasion and the people.
“Why,” says one of them, a most intel
ligent and accomplished lady, “I would
not dare go on a public excursion in
the North, on account of the rowdyism
inevitably attending such occasions;
and it astonishes me to see so many
people on this boat, and from different
parts of the country, behave with so
much gentility and decorum. I am
perfectly charmed.”
OFFICERS OF THE BO AT.
The officers of the Big Foot, from
the noble Captain Williams down, will
ever.be remembered for their kindness
and courteousnes to each and all on the
trip. Their big heartedness and de
sire to please contributed more than
anything else to the success of the af
fair.
On the trip we made many acquaint
ances which we feel assured we can
never forget; and we are sure that
more than one ripened into friendship.
The trip was attended by MT. George
F. Baltzell, editor of the Martanna(Fla)
Courier, who is every inch as clever a
gentleman as one may desire to meet
anywhere ; and Col. Mims of the Co
lumbus Times, a veritable “Brick” in
h s particular role of having a good
time and making everybody else have
ditto; and Mr. E.«S. Jones Travelling
Correspondentof Col ans Rural World,
publi hed at St. Louis, the leading ag
ricultural paper of the west He is a
emal gentleman, and his articles in
the World show that he is well up in
the profession.
In conclusion let us all hope that we
may meet again under as equally pleas
ant and auspicious circumstances. "
Excursion Sketches.
Tlie Wjllv seems to be tlie lonesomest boat
we ever saw
Mr. Elwaro Jones, representative of the
Rand World, published at, Louisville, Ivy.,
was ou she excursion.
The gay and festive Charley Mims repre
sented tbe Columbus Tones. We would like
to read his notes. *
Those dispatches the Wylly sent down the
railroad didu’t “draw” worth a nickel*
If there are not several licenses sold soon,
why appearances ou the boat were mighty
deceptive, that’s all.
Frauk Smith wants to move Bainbridge
down to Ochese. lie says its tlie prettiest
place he ever saw—or heard of.
Tlie ojster business “looked up” while
the excursionists were at the Bay, On the
half shell was the fashionable way of dis
posing of them.
Johnnie Harrell had one of his patent
soda founts along, and gave the cxcuriers
free soda water. We'll be obliged to vote
for John for Governor some day.
Philip Ottinger says the boat, didn’t make
anything out of him. Says he ate ten dol
lars worth on the trip—and we know of no
reason why we should doubt his word.
We ought to tell about Albert Baltzell try
ing to pass himself off as a single man ; but
then he is a good fellow, and didn’t mean
any harm, and we won't say anything about
There were nearly seventy people aboard
the boat besides the officers and crew, but
everything ivas perfectly comfortable and
pleasant, save being just a little crowded M
night.
MEMORIAL DAY.
Sow it was Observed in this City of
Oaks-
To those participating in the ceremo
nies of last Wednesday—Memorial Day’—
a brighter, more beautiful day could not
have been wish°d for. Tbe heavens were
bright, blue and cloudless, and it seemed
that all nature wore a smile for the occa
sion. Tbe doors of every merchant in
town were closed, tbe strong harmony of
sentiment between true Southern hearts
moving the commercial world to join in
the idea of the Legislature—which body
has made it one of the legal holidays of
the State—and offering respect to the pur
poses and intentions of the day.
THE PREPARATIONS
for the ceremonies of the occasion, under
direction of Miss Ida Dickinson, Presi
dent of the Memorial Association, had
been progressing forscveral days previous,
and despite the backwardness of the sea
son aud consequent scarcity of flowers,
the floral offerings were ample and beau
tiful.
THE ASSEMBLAGE.
The streets, at about 3 o’clock, began
to be alive with people, and when the
procession moved a perfect throng of hu
man beings were on their way to the Cem
etery.
THE PROCESSION
moved at 4 o’clock, and, headed by the
Bainbridge Cornet Band and the Bain
bridge Independents, marched to the
Cemetery’, where the ceremonies of deco
rating the graves of tlie few martyred he
roes who rest here took place.
AT NIGHT
a vast throng assembled in Hopson Hall
to witness the closing scenes of this
year’s Memorial. The hall had been
handsomely and tastefully decorated with
evergreens and flowers, and the walls
hung with pictures of several of our dead
heroes, among them the immortal Lee
and Jackson.
the CHorR,
composed of Miss Fannie Lockwood, Miss
Agnes Donalson, Mrs. R. M. Johnston,
Mr. I. M. Rosenfeld and Mr. H. C. Curry,
opened the exercises by a Dirge, beauti
ful, solemn and appropriate. After a
beautiful and touching prayer by Rev.
Mr. Townsend, and music by’ the choir,
Col. Wm. O. Fleming introduced the
ORATOR OF THE DAY,
Capt. E. S. Law, of Attapulgus. We re
gret very much that we cau not give his
speech in full as it was delivered, for we
consider it one of the finest efforts to
which we ever listened. Capt. Law is a
very’ impressive and eloquent speaker, and
on this occasion did fall justice to his
subject. Recurring to scencs*which tried
men’s souls, in the past, he painted in
colors bright and glowing the leaf which
our noble dead wrote in that history.
Speaking with energy and spirit, yet with
out bitterness or revenge, the eloquent
orator laid upon those hero graves a tab
lpt of fame and honor and glory, lasting
as is the world itself, and which the vin
dictive power of exultant fanaticism is
utterly powerless to remove. The tribute
paid to our noble, self-sacrificing South
ern women was just, beautiful and com
plete The oration, indeed, was a fine
production—abounding in brilliance of
thought, full to overflowing with beauti
ful sentiment, replete with scholarly’, rhe
torical finish, and full of love and devo
tion to the memery of the illustrious dead
whose deeds we commemorate
CLOSING EXERCISES.
After the finish of Capt. Law’s address,
and the performance of a beautiful ballad,
“God bless our Lee,” by Mrs Johnston
and tlie choir, the election for officers of
the Association took place and resulted in
the unanimous re-election of the old
board, namely ; Miss Ida Dickinson, Pres
ident ; Miss Lucy Russell, Secretary ;
Mrs. Julia Robinson, Treasurer. After
the benediction by Rev. Mr. Lockwood,
the vast throng dispersed, and the cere
monials were concluded.
Anniversary of tie Oak City Hook
and Ladder Company-
The Seventh day of May is the anniver
sary of this Company, but that day falling
on Sunday this year, next Mon
be observed. The ComDNttY Iti
ble at 5 o’cli
The Meeting on the Steamer Big
Foot
At Jr.wrioN or Flint and Chatta- 1
hoochee BrvERS, April 29, 1876. /
A meeting of the Excursionists was call*
ed in the Cabin of th§ Steamer Big Foot.
On motion of Col. W. O. Fleming, of ■> La-
bridge, Mrs. A. W. Moore, of lit Roy, 2«ew
York, was called to the Chair, and Maston
O'Neal, Esq., of Bainbridge requested to act
as Secretary. The object of the meeting b*«
ing explained by Col. Fleming at the request
of the Chair, ou motion ot'J. D. Harrell, of
Bainbridge, the following committee was
appointed to report suitable resolutions to
the meeting: Col. W. O. Fleming, Capt,
0. T. Terry and ex-Mayor A. B. Newsome
of Quitman Ga., and A. K. Leon, Esq., of
Quincy, Fla.
Upon the return of the Committee, tlie
following preamble and resolutions were of
fered and unanimously adopted;
“Whereas, our delightful excursion to
Apalachicola and the Islands of the Gulf
now drawing rapidly to an end, and the
parties thus casually throwu together, who
have in a few days felt acquaintance ripen
into friendship, being now about to separate,
propriety as well as inclination suggests a-
parting word to those who have conduced
so much to our pleasusre, and profit.
Therefore, Resolved 1st, That we ewe
our first debt of gratitude to Capt. Benja
min E. Russell, Editor of The Bainbridge
Democrat, for the foresight, spirit and eu-
ergy with which he has conceived, conduct'
ed and accomplished the Excursion, that
has conduced so much to our pleasure,
healthful profit and riches of new friendships.
While all has been par excellence it lias not
excelled what we might have expected from
the Editor of The Democrat.
Resolved 2d, That we must cordially and
unfeigncdly return our thanks to Captain
Isaac J. Williams of the-Big Foot, and his
officers under him, for their polite and un
remitting care and attention, and ever ready
and prompt response to our every desire,
(we cannot say request, for every want has
been anticipated and supplied). We can
not too warmly recommend to the traveling
public, the boat commanded and controlled
by such officers, aud whose every servant is
so tireless, faithful and obliging in their at
tentions. May the Big Foot ever float on
the waters of the three rivers, the terror of
monopolies.
Resolved 3d, That, to the music rendered
by the Bainbridge Sliver Cornet Band, we
are indebted for much that has made our
excursion delightful and attractive, and we
would assure the gentlemen, who compose
this band, o our high appreciation of them
personally.
Resolved 4fli. That, these resolutions be
published in The Bainbridge Democrat,
Oolumbu3 Times and Rural World, and the
Editor of the first named paper be requested
to forward a copy of the paper containing
these resolutions marked, to Capt. I. J.
Williams and the Silver Cornet Band, *nd
that be retain a like number as presented
by this meeting of excursionists. Meeting
adjourned.
Maston O’Neal, Sect'y.
Card from the Officers of the Big Foot.
Captain Williams and Officers wish to
publicly express their thanks to Capt. Ben
jamin E. Russell, Editor of the Bainbridge
Democrat, for his suecess in getting up the
Excursion, also to the Excursionists, for a
unanimous vote of thanks offered by them
in behalf of him expressive of the apprecia
tion of the delightful trip, and this card be
published in Bainbridge Democrat, Colum
bus Times, Marianna Courier add Column's
Rural World, at St. Louis.
V
« Beautiful Certificate- \ i
We have been shown a very beautiful
certificate of Life Membership just receiv
ed from New York for tbe S. S. Mission
ary Society of the M. F. Church, in this
place. On either side of the regular form
of certificate are two handsomely execut
ed lithographed allegorical pictures. The
one on the left represents a little boy be
ing illured into the paths of sin, over what
appears to be a path of fruits and flowers,
but from these there protrudes the head
of a venomous serpent; a ministering an
gel stands behind the child, and seems to
be persuading him away, while Satan is
represented in the back-ground taking an
interest in his decision; underneath the
picture are the words of scripture, “If
sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” -
The picture on tbe right represents the
same little boy, kneeling devoutly before
an open Bible, an expression of gladness
is on tbe face of the angel, who is bend
ing over him, while Satan is represented
as retreating from the scene^
are tbe words “He;
charge oyer 1
liad fMf
Farley, the veritable, and taking a ride ii
Ms crafFUie “Ylying Eagle,” The Judgs
says he will pay Bainbridge a visit soon, ant
would like to get up an excursion on hit
boat. We are afraid, however, that he will
make a failure, as the • Wylly will certainlf
underbid him, and the accommodations on
the Wylly are probably superior to those oi
the Flying Eagle.
A party of ladles from Marianna were to
join the excursion, but were deterred from
so doing by a report started by ayoung man
who lives on the Chattahoochee river to the
effect that no ladies from Bainbridge were
going, and that it would be nothing more
nor less tnan a drunken spree of a few row
dy men. What actuated this yonng chap
to perpetrate this infamous and mischievous
lie, we know not, but our information comes
from gentlemen of high standing and un
questionable veracity. We withhold his
name merely through charity.
* • * —*v. *
A Centennial Leap Year Pic Hie.
The editors of the Democrat return
thanks for an invitation to the Centennial
Picnic and fish fry, which takes place at
Martin’s Mill, near Attapulgus, on Satur
day next. It will be quite a pleasant af
fair, and we regret that other engage
ments will prevent our being present. We
shall rely on some of our friends down
that way for a report.
dance is compose!
man, R. A. Lytle, J. G. Law and
ram, and from our knowledge of the abili
ty of these gentlemen in such matters, we
predict a happy and pleasant affair.
Excursion ta Whigham.
On Thursday, the 18th inst., there will
be a Pic Nic Excursion over the A. & G.
Railroad to Wliigham and return. It is
expected that a good many from Thomas
ville will meet the Bainbridge party there
where a pleasant basket pic nic will be
the order of the day. Let the matter be
agitated, and let’s have it a success. Fare
for the round trip $;1. and less if a suffi
cient number participate.
Fizzle-
We learn that there was to have been a
grand mass meeting of tbe Republican
party in our town yesterday, but up to
tbe time of making up our forms the
meeting had not Transpired. The wire
pullers were on hand in force—Wade
from Quitman, Britnberry from Camilla,
l Hampton from Bainbridge, delegates from
Colquitt county, and several of the local
lights were in attendance. We can only
suppose that it was to have been a meet
ing to organize for tbe campaign, but as
the votersTailed to put in an appearance,
nothing was done that we could bear of.
We rather think some people were disap
pointed.— I'homasziUe Enterprise.
manufacturer, but
o iJrtEfifted Christian and philanthrop-
^ Always abreast with the benevolent
ftt»y, ab a irov UcVnE ttcC-
ifactions, he is a warm
ith.
iplicant for life member-
:iety, and hope soon to
havcir cnlzifSbfitc to ornament our edito
rial sanctum.
Personal-
Judge G. J. Wright, who is in atten
dance on Court, looks well—in fact, aa
well as we ever saw him.
A. B. Newsome, Esq., ex-Mayor of
Quitman, was in town Sunday. We hope
Mr. N. may come again.
Capt. John C. Rutherford, of Macon, i
attending Court here this week. The
Captain looks fine, and weighs even two
hundred pounds.
Hon. I. A. Bush, of Colquitt, is in the
city. He is attending Court and one thing
and another.
Judge L. P. D. Warren, of Albany, is
in the city.
Maj. O. T. Terry, of Quitman, spent
Sunday in Bainbridge. Come again Major.
Tobacco! Cigars!
Best tobaccos, finest cigars, of all grades
to be bad at the big store of H. B. F.hr-
tich.
Great Deduction in Prices.
W. C. Subers is now offering splendid
bargains in Watches, Clocks, Jewelry, &c.
Stock complete, call and see. 14