About The sunny South. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1875-1907 | View Entire Issue (July 9, 1887)
VOLUME XIII.—NUMBER 60 ATLANTA, GA., SATURDAY MORNING, JULY 9,1*87. PRICE: $2.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE. Shaking Across the Bloody Chasm. LEXINGTON, KY. A City Noted for its Society, Wealth, Halls of Learn ing and Historical As sociations. “ASHLAND” (Adjoining the city of Lexington.) A Visit to the Home of Henry Clay, the Great Statesman. Home Life of Mrs. Clay and the Deeds of her Great Husband. HENRY CLAY. (From a dagnerrotype from life, taken for Hart, the sculptor, in 1847.) HENRY CLAY. This distinguished Statesman died June 29th 1852, in Washington city. The following lines were written by a North Carolina lady in New Orleans, (while the funeral was taking place at the capital,) and the bells were tolling and minute guns were firing. A sudden shower came up, and as the cloud was low, the vibration of ths air caused the rain to fall faster at each discharge of the cannon. Toll on I vs mournful bells, toll on! A mighty spirit’s fled. E'en heaven itself Is weeping o’er The statesman lying dead! Boom od, hoom on, ye minute guns. And througn the sounding air, Up to his noble soul’s abide A nation’s sorrows bear. The eagle o( our land, whose wings Stretched o’er each ocean’s spray, Lost from his grasp a noble dart When death laid claim to Clay He to the stars and stripes belonged, No state can claim bis name, For as the champion of our 11 ig He gained his world-wide tame. No Mood stained laurelb nnd his brow, He caused no tears to flow, His was the mighty strife of mind Against bis country’s foe. Ha never trimmed hts noble barK To catch the breeze ot s ate. And scorned to watch Its shifting vane, Or for Its sanction wait. Ills voice fall oft has stilled the strife Which in t.ls country rose. And caused the children of rur land To deem their brethren foes; LUte Roman Uurtlus, when ihe gulf Yawned tn the forum wide. He flung himself Into the breach And calmed the angry tide His eagle eye saw at a glance Which way to honor led, His noble spirit never ttrank The patriot’s path to tread. Totl onl ye mournful bells, toll on! Your saddened funeral knell Makes every ardent freeman's breast With pride and sorrow swell. We glory In the haughty mind That flashed like lightning’s play, And both Americas shall weep The loss ol Henry Clay! Boom on, boom on, ye minute guns, As each discharge is given, A shower of sympathetic tears Falls from the arch of heaven l This beautiful city is located in the far famed “Blue Grass” region noted for its healthfulness, superior social and religious in fluences, and also as a place of great histori cal interest. Lexington, Ky., was settled April 1779, by Col. Robert PatersoD. and others, who a few years afterward founded Cincinnati, Ohio. Lexington is now a railroad center, easily accessible, being on the Cincinnati Southern, the great North and South route; the Chesa peake and Ohio, the great East and West route, the Louisville and Nashville for the Mississippi Valley, and the Kentucky Central for the Ohio Valley. Other railroads are now COURT HOUSE. • The Madison House, **<ai situated on the southwest corner of High and Limestone streets, was the boarding home of Jefferson Davis while he attended Transylva nia University. It was then occupied as a pri vate residence by Joseph Ficklin, who was at that time postmaster. tt VJv The Masonic Temple, located on the corner of Short and Walnut streets, is an object of interest to strangers of the Masonic fraternity, as it was the fir3t established Lodge of Freemasons in the West. It was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Vir ginia in 1788. in prospect. Our shipping facilities are now euperior, and we have at our doors, at low freight rates, inexhaustible supplies of raw ma terial, including coal, finest hardwood and other timber, in the greatest extent and varie ty, iron resources and building stone. The city is in the heart of the finest agricultural re gion in the world, producing immense quanti ties of grain, grass, tobacco and hemp. This is the headquarters of fine stock breeding; the home of the trotter and the thoroughbred, and is now producing the finest blooded cattle, sheep and swine. As an evidence that she is keeping pace with this progressive age, we will mention some of her prominent features: She has water works, street railroads, telephones, electric lights, fire alarm, telegraph, free mail delivery, public libra ry containing 15,900 volumes nine newspapers (two of them daily), twenty-two churches, eight banks, having a capital and surplus of between three and four millions of dollars, Chamber of Commerce, machine shops, lock and novelty works, manufactures, elegant new Opera House, charitable institutions, public market house and daily market. Words cannot be too lavish in expressing the richness and loveliness of the country about this city. The landscape is soft, luxu riant and picturesque, and the approaches to the city are beautiful, and the rides and drives are charming. Handsome residences, sur rounded by evergreens and magnificent forest trees, dot velvet lawns of peerless blue grass and clover, whose brilliant green covers every inch of ground save where walks and cement ed macadamized roads are cut through the thick turf. The bedded limestone, which, by disintegration enriches our soil, is substantial, used with Osage orange hedges and white painted fences enclosing breeding establish ments of fine stock on every road; stables of blooded horses, herds of thoroughbred cattle browse in the shade. The land teems with fatness, and the eye is constantly refreshed of plenty, comfort and loveliness. History reminds us that the place, one square from which this sketch is made, is the site of the first house—“Block House”—erected in this section of the country, over a century ago, which was often the resort of Daniel Boone. We are reminded, too, that only a half centu ry ago this city was the largest town west or southwest of Piitsburg, and that Cincinnati, then in its infancy, was almost wholly depend ent upon it for supplies. Few places, if any, contains more food for the historian to feast on than this city, and notwithstanding its drawbacks and being counted “slow” in the Nev England latitude, it is, nevertheless, in tellectually and artistically alive. Those who visit our city for the first time must be favorably impressed with the ancient style palatial residences of its citizens, which seem to possess such an air of quiet comfort, space, rural and architectural elegance and horticultural adornment to. which large cities cannot aspire. Although a great variety of business is car ried on here, you are happily impressed with ’■hSWsnteful absence of noise, smoke and bur ry. Every vehicle runs so quietly, every street is so shaded and adorned with majestic trees, and every house wears such a home look, that you involuntarily think of scholars and the blessings of beautiful homes and happy lives; and reminded, too, that the fame of many scholars and statesmen is associated with these shady walks and towering domes. Among the libraries here quick young brains have grown bright and strong. In these cabinets of natural his tory hints have become discover ed facts, and laws so understood as to bless mankind with new wealth and power. From the incipiency of this Gommanity her halls of learning have well and worthily borne the title of “princely.” In 1770 Virginia endowed the first insti tution of learning in the West, as the Transylvania University (now Kentucky University), in this section of country, which at that time was part of that State. Presidents Madison, Monroe and Jackson, also Lafayette and Edward Everette, have made it special visits, and with Washington and other worthies have made it liberal dona tions. Its graduates have moved conspicu ously in the history of our country with both civic and political distinction. Thomas Mar shall, Vice-President Breckenridge, and the ex-President of the Confederacy, Jefferson Davis, (described as a slender, fine-haired young man, quiet, unassuming and of very in dustrious habits), with many governors, sena tors and eminent statesman are its graduates. Clay, Marshall and Breckenridge were among its tutors. The glory of this old Institution does not shine with less brilliancy by being together with several other renowned colleges consoli dated into the Kentucky University, which occupies the most conspicuous place among our educatioual institutions. It embraces the College of Arts, Science and Literature, Bible College, and the world-renowned Commercial College, whose officers, E. W. and W. R. Smith, received the highest honor at the World's Exposition for system of book-keep ing and general business education, and has an attendance of hundreds of students annualty. Besides the States and territories having their full representations in this institution, Japan, Australia, Turkey, Canada, Mexico, New Zea land and other foreign countries have also their representatives. At this time over two thousand are in the halls cf learning in this city. Her female col leges (Hamilton, Sayre, and St. Catherine’s Academy) occupy quite a prominent place in the pride of her citizens, having an attendance I from many different States. In this city of colleges the maxim that “In telligence and Christianity go hand and hand,” ; is grandly verified by the numerous church ; steeples, and, as Heaven’s sentinels, they re- mind us that the person whose head alone is i educated is not educated at all, hut for such an ! attainment the heart and the mind must be ed- j ucated in unison. From the time of the first ; church organization here (Presbyterian) in : 1784, it has commanded the very ablest of ! church talent. Such church lights as Breck- | enridge, of the Presbyterian; Bascom, of the ! Methodist : Alexander Campbell, of the Chris- ; tian Church, and other able divines that have filled the pulpits of our score of churches, i have, with her educational institution, exer- t cised such an influence that her cultured soci- ! ety has become renowned. Main Street Christian Church, situated on Main street, only a few steps from LITERARY DEPARTMENT OF KY. UNIVERSITY. Formerly Transylvania University, Founded in 17S0.) COMMERCIAL CULLEbE UF KY. UNIVEKo! I T. Wilbur R. Smith, President. VIEW ON MAIN STREET, LEXINGTON, KY. MASONIC TEMPLE. Ashland. Prof. G. W. Ranck, the historian of Ken tucky, beautifully and feelingly describes his visit to Ashland, the home of Henry Clay, as follows: It is too well known to hear repetition that “Ashland,” the old Kentucky home of Clay, is one of our national shrines. With it the hero-worshipper is never disappointed, for its natural chambers are fully equal to its historic associations. Mr. Clay himself had no small opinion of the place. Writing to a friend, on one occasion, he said: “1 am, in one respect, better off than Moses. He died in sight of and without hope of reaching the promised land. I occupy as good a farm as any that he would have found had he reached it. And “Ash land” has been acquired not by any hereditary descent, but by my own labor.” He did not over-estimate his home; for it is located in the centre of one of the finest re gions upon earth—a region famous for the re markable richness of its soil; a Canaan flowing with milk and honey and—whisky; a land whose horses outshine in blood and speed the classic steeds of Thessaly. ington, and looking no in the distant cemetery is the mo rament erected by Kentucky to the “Stge of Ashland.” In the rear of the mansion is a lovely lawn, carpeted with that rich velvety grass which Kentucky alone produces. Another refreshi g streak of forest land, whose maple trees are the pride of Ashland, closes the view in this iirec- ticn On the left are the stables of “Mans field.” the borne ot John M., the only surviv ing child of Henry Clay. John is getting griz zly now, but his passion for thorough breds is still as warm and emphatically expressed as in days of yore. Every turfman has heard of his “Daniel Boone,” “Kentucky,” and other horses. The view on i he right of “Ashland” embraces several other stock farms, upon one of which was bred the world-renowned king of race horses, “Lexington.” Such are the sur roundings of the home of “Harry of the West,” —oniy a sheet of water to make the landscape perfect. The mansion so long occupied by Mr. Clay and his family was so to speak, a two story brick with one-story wings, roomy and comfortable enough, but quite plain. Its principal interior adornments were mementoes and testimonials from his friends and political admirers. A large oil painting of* Washington and his family, presented by Mr. Johnson, of North Carolina, covered almost one entire side of his parlor. It was while inspecting this picture that Count Bertrand, the devoted at tendant of the prisoner of St. Helena, drew a parallel between Washington and Napoleon, so favorable to his beloved master as to cause Mr. Clay to exclaim: “Oh, Coun’t don’t forget the morals of our man.” Here, also, was the bust of Bolivar, sent to Mr. Clay in 1827, the Free dom of the City of New Y ork; a silver pitcher from the ladies of Tennessee; a silver vase, three feet high, presented by gold and silver artisans of New York, in admiration of his pro tection efforts; and two oil paintings, drawn by his colleagues, Messrs. Russell and Adams, at a raffle in Ghent, during the negotiations closing the war of 1812. Mr. Clay generously proposed to win the painting from his brother commissioners at cards. The picture paste boards were produced and shuffled, and in a few minutes Mr. Russell had lost his prize; and soon after old John Qnincy, who had se lected the game of “seven up,” had to part with his. In addition to the articles already named, Mr. Clay was presented with a family carriage, which is still to be seen on the streets of Lex ington; a massive gold medal, received only a few months before bis death; a gold snuff box, said to have belonged to Frederick the Great; agricultural implements, fine liquors, and vari ous handsome articles of fine plate, china, cut lery and manufactures. These souvenirs are ali scattered among relatives and friends. Mr. Clay’s library at “Ash land,” while it was respecta ble, was not large, owing mainly to his long residence in Washington. Mr. Clay’s life and habits at heme would remind ODe of a weL-to-do English gentle man. He rose early, and bathed, shaved and took a horseback ride every morning. He was exceedingly neat in his dress, and on all occasions wore the inevitable swallow Amos Kendall, were not the meekest of lambs that gamboled over Ashland. She managed the farm with its crops and live stock, her household affairs, large family not a few negro servants, largely in keeping up Mr. was subjected constantly to often pulled the finest own hands, and ter, milk and often said: “My such things, hut they money I get for them.” Her treatment slaves will be judged from her custom of re warding them at the ciose of the week in pro portion to their industry and good conduct. Saturday evening at Ashland with the darkies was synonymous with Mrs. Clay’s business table covered with little pieces of silver money. She was always kept well posted about her husband’s business, and she was so “spunky” Mr. Clay always consulted her before fighting a duel. The wife of the great commoner cared nothing for general and fash ionable society, and it was fortunate under the circum stances she did not. The shady walks of Ash land, the management of its shrubbery, foliage, trees, and many other features of the place, indicated the tastes of its illustrious master. Many of the handsomest trees that now adorn the place were planted either by his own hand or under his personal supervision. He loved them, and he loved to cultivate them, and his example had no little to do with the develop ment and spread in Kentucky of the taste for ornamental trees, plants and grounds. He was a wide awake and pro gressive farmer, and every thing in agricultural science was watched by him with in terest. He sent for some guano as sooft as it began to attract attention. He tried to raise and introduce the splen did Japan plum and the beau tiful live oak, but the climate was against him. He experi mented in'water rotting Ken tucky hemp, in his anxiety to make it equal to the fine Prussian article, which occupies so large and rich a place in commerce. The re mains of the tanks he used are still to be seen at Ashland. Mr. Clay was concerned in the first large importation of line cattle from Eng land to Kentucky, which occurred at the close of the war of 1812. His blooded cattle and horses were his special pride, and were exhib ited at the agricultural shows. When there were guests at Ashland the first thing he dil after dinner was to offer them cigars and the next was to say, “Come, gentlemen, and see my stock.” Mr. Clay was exceedingly fond of flowers, and every morning his favorite rose, and Lux emburg, was laid upon his plate. He loved children, and was often seen riding around the Ashland grounds with a little urchin perched upon his horse in front of him. Of course, he and i3 built on the same plan. It has a more handsome and modern dress than the old one, a fac simile of of Ashland is an- the walk of Mr. some of his most , where Mrs, hundred years :he old pigeon and trees, in tue days of the ora- it is hoped will remain un changed and undisturb d for many generations to come The very line wood-work of the new house was made from the old a3h trees wuich grew upon the place and gave to the farm its peculiar and appropriate name. A part of Ash and, covered with splendid forest trees, was a batile ground during the late civil war, the. light beiug between Morgan’s men and Federals. the Poomix Hotel, accommodates the largest i congregation in the city. Here occurred the famous debate between Rev. N. L.. Rice and Bishop Alexander Campbell, Henry Clay act ing as one of the moderators. We observe that an elegant new court-house in the center of the public square now supplies the place of the historic, quaint old edifice within whose walls Clay, Barry, General Breckenridge, and hosts of distinguished ora tors made their most eloquent appeals. This costly building is a fit indication that the old landmarks are fast disappearing before the mighty arm of progress and business enter prise. The City Hall is an extensive new building, between Upper and Limestone streets (built on the site of the old market-house), and comprises the mayor’s office, city council chamber, recorder’s court room, and places of business of various city officers. The ground floor is used for the market. “Ashland” comprises about 330 acres of blue grass land, situated about a mile from the beautiful old city of Lexington, on a finely ma- cademized road leading to the town of Rich mond, where, in 1862, the Federals, under Gen. Nelson, were defeated by the Confeder ates under Gen. E. Kirby Smith. When Mr. Clay bought the land, in 1805, it cost him >'2,600. For half a century the work of im proving this estate went on under the personal direction of Mr. Clay or his thrifty wife, until it became as beautiful and varied a picture of lawn, field and pasture, blue grass, woodland, and ornamental grounds as the eye need wish to rest upon. The short carriage road from the main en trance to the mansion is through a curving av enue of tall pines and broad leafed catalpas. In front of the house is a view of “Woodland,” once the superb homestead of Mr. Erwin, a son-in-law of Mr. Clay; beyond its magnificent forest trees are seen the church spires of Lex- bad dogs; every person has seen a picture cf tail coat, which is produced in i him with a deg at his feet, and many of his all Hart’s statue’s of him. ; friends remember his shepherd dog that used Although he frequently enter- i *-° water his cows at Ashland. Clay’s home has been hallowed by marriages, births and deaths in the family of the departed statesman, and by other events of social inter est. In its little parlor, in the summer of 1847, in the presence of his family, Henry Clay was baptized according to the form of the Pro 5 testant Episcspal Church, of which his wife had long been a member. The water used on this solemn and beautiful occasion was contain ed in a magnificent cut glass vase that had been presented to Mr. Clay by some gentlemen of Pittsburg. A bust of Gen. Harrison, crowned with a chaplet of withered flowers; a portrait of Mr. Clay’s beloved daughter, who had gone to her rest; and a picture of that gal lant son who had but lately fallen at. Buena Vista, were among the silent witnesses of the scene. A tew short summers more, and the now Christian statesman closed his brilliant earthly career, and was borne back to the home he had made famous. His body reached the gate of Ashland after the night shadows had gathered upon it, and funeral torches were used to dispel the gloom of the leafy avenue leading to the home; and there, under his own roof-tree, for the last time, reposed the worn frame of “Cicero of the West.” In a few hours he was followed to the grave by the lar gest concourse of people ever seen in Lexing ton. In accordance with Mr. Clay’s expressed wish, Ashland went into the possession of his son James, who espoused the Confederate canse, and died in Canada in 1864. The family mansion, which was considered none too safe to live in during the last years of Mr. Clay, soon became so unsafe that James erected in its stead the elegant house that now graces the old homestead. The present build ing stands on the foundation of the former one, tained distinguished persons of all nations at “Ashland,” it was always done with a plain and simple elegance. He never attempted display. His was “a good old Kentucky table,” and that was all. He thought it good enough for anyone—and it most certainly was. His hospitable board was mainly supplied from his own farm, wuich furnished him the richest cream, mi.k and butter from cows of nrized pedigrees; bacon and Southdown mutton; vegeta bles of all kinds; poultry and substantial luxuries; the very “pone” of bread and the smoking pancake that graced his table came from his own com and wheat fields. But the attractions of Mr. Clay’s table were not its rich and juicy viands; the wonderful orator himself was the great dish. His guests feasted upon his eloquent words while the Southdown grew oold before them. It was thus he entertained LaFayette, the Earl of Derby, Daniel Webster, Mr. Lowndes, Lord Monteith, President Monroe, Gen. Bertrand, Van Buren, Harriet Martineau, M. Politica, the Russian Minister, and a host of others. But Mr. Clay could not claim all the credit for being able to thus bountifully feed his guests. Here the great energy, good sense and man agement of his wife comes in. What Ashland would have been but for Mrs. Clay, the good Lord only knows, for her husband was at the Capitol of the nation more than half his time. She attended to everything, including five sons, who, according to their old teacher, “ASHLAND.” Home of Henry Clay. The Clay Monument. On the 4th of July, 1858, the corner-stone of the Clay Monument in Lexington Cemetery, was laid with imposing ceremonies under the auspices of the Monumental Association. It is about, 120 feet in height, is buiit of the Mag nesian limestone of this State, which resem bles very much the Caen stone of Normandy, and is a column modeled after the Corinthian style of architecture, consisting of stereobate, pedestal base, shaft and capital, the whole surmounted by a ttatue of the statesman. The stereohate, or sub-base, about twenty feet in height and forty feet square, is in the Egyptian style, plain and massive, and has its appropriate cornice of very simple character throughout its whole circuit broken on each side around a projecting facade in the same style, but more elaborate finish. In the center of the southern face is an entrance to a vaulted chamber of the dimensions 12 by 24 feet, and 16 feet high in tha center, lighted above by heavy plate glass fixed in bronze frames in by means of a doorway ordinarily closed with masonry. Above the stereobate, or sub-base, is the pe destal of the column, divided horizontally in-T* to two members, each with its base and cor nice. The lower one is eight and one-half feet in height, and the upper fourteen feet in height. The faces of both members of the pe destal are in sunk panel, to be filled ultimate ly with base reliefs in bronze, if desirable. Above the pedestal rises the shaft whicb^ with the base and capital, is sixty-nine feet in height, and the lower diameter being six fe<C. and eight inches and the upper five feet and ten inches, built solid. The shaft, instead of the ordinary twenty-four flutes with their in termediate fillets, is inclosed with a cluster of thirteen spears (one for each of the “Old Thir teen”) the heads of which, of bronze inter laced and grouped with com leaves and ap propriate national emblems, form the capital of the column in conformity in outline and proportion, to the best examples of the order. On the abacus of the capital rests an acroter of bronze of a parabolic contour, and formed of ash and ivy leaves, serving as a pedestal to the statue. Upon the marble sarcophagus, in enduring letters, can be seen these memorable words, uttered by Mr. Clay: “I can with imstiaken confidence appeal to the Divine Arbiter for the truth of the dec laration that I have been influenced by no im pure purpose, no personal motive, have sought no personal aggrandizement, but that, in all my public acts, I have had a sole and single eye, and a warm and devoted heart, directed and dedicated to what, in my best judgment, I believed to be the true interests of my coun try.” Public Buildings and Prominent Places in Lexington, Ky. U. S. Government Building, N. W. comer Main and Walnut sts. Court House, hounded by Short street, N., Upper st. E., Main st. S., Cheapside W. Reservoir and Water-Works, two miles East of city. I’ost-office. comer Broadway and Short. Hamilton Female College, N. Broadway. Sayre Institute, North Limestone. Second 1’resbyterian Church, Market st. Broadway Christian Church, S. W. comer Broadway and Second sts. First Baptist Church, West Short st. Centenary M. E. Church, N. Broadway. Christ P. E. Church, N. E. cor. Church and Market sts. First Presbyterian Church, N. Upper st. Main St. Christian Church, East Main st. Upper St. Baptist Church, S. W. cor. Upper and Church sts. St. Paul’s Church (Catholic), West Short sL Masonic Temple, Walnut st. Opera House, North Broadway. I. O. O. F. Halls, S. W. cor. Main and Broad way, and East Main st. U. S. Collector of Revenue, Dept, of 7th Dis trict, N. E. cor. Main and Upper st. Telegraph Office (Western Union), in Phoe nix Hotel. Market House, Water st., between Upper and Vine. Telephone Exchange, cor. Main and Upper. Orphan Asylum, West Third st. St. Joseph's Hospital, Second st. near Jef ferson. • Armory of Lexington Guards in Jackson Hall, cor. Limestone and Water. Gas Works, West Main st., near Spring. Electric Light Co., Vine, near Upper. Home of the Friendless, No. 30 W. Short. Fire Department, East Short st. City Dispensary, Water st., between Mill and Upper. St. Catherine’s Academy, N. Limestone. Industrial School, in No. 3 City School Build ing, cor. Mill and Maxwell. Church Home (Episcopal), cor. Walnut and Winchester. Catholic Cemetery, South side West Main, at the corporation line. Presbyterian Cemetery, Sixth, between Lime stone and Upper. Episcopal Cemetery, North side of Third st.. West of Dewees. Gratz Park, between North Mill and Market. Woodland Park and “Ashland,” East of city. M. E. Church South, Hill street. St. Paul’s Church (Catholic), Limestone st. Phomix, cor. Main and Limestone. Ashland House, Short, between Mill and Broadway. St. Nicholas, East Main, near Limestone. Alexander House, E. Short, near Limestone. Railroad Depots. Big Sandy (Chesapeake & Ohio), rear of Pbienix Hotel. Kentucky Central, rear of Phoenix Hotel. Louisville, Cincinnati & Lexington (Louis ville & Nashville), cor. Mill and Water. Cincinnati Southern (C., N. O. & T. P.), South Broadway. such manner as to be unseen from without. The chamber is of polished marble of Ken tucky, appropriately finished as a receptacle for sarcophagi, and, if desirable, a life-sized statue. The opening is closed by a screen of bronze. The remaining space within the sub base is a closed vault, access to which is had Lovely Live Oak. Suwanee Springs and Suwanee Riv er—More of the Many Attrac tions of Florida. Editor Sunny South: The most beautiful and delightful place in Florida is the Suwanee Springs, seven miles North of Live Oak, on the river. As the ubiquitous reporter with ver bose loquacity sometimes expresses it, “It is perfectly splendid.” The spring is a magnificent boll of strong sulphur water pouring out of a solid rock into the river. A wall fifty by thirty feet, built of rock and cement twenty feet high, surrounds the fountain. The visitor descends a flight of steps to the platform at the bottom, and can there witness the clear, beautiful waters as they rise from the unknown depths below. The banks are shaded with almost every kind of tree known to our Florida forests, heavily clothed with long moss. For rest and comfort this spot certainly cannot be surpassed, in the summer season, by any other. Messrs. Scoville, of Atlanta, Ga., and Leslie, of New York, are busy at work preparing to entertain the public the coming season. A fine concrete building, two stories high, will soon be finished, and eighteen cottages will also be ready. The land has been cleared of under growth, and a fine suspension bridge will span the river. The enterprising spirit of these gen tlemen is attracting the attention of men of note in every part of this great country. A short line of railroad, about one mile long, runs from the main-iine down to the spring, and street cars will be run regularly over this road so as to make connection with all passing trains. A splendid depot, with a ladies’ sa loon, will be erected, and there will also be ex press and telegraph offices, so that health and pleasure seekers may come and find repose and enjoyment, under the most delightful sur roundings, at every season of the year. The waters of this wonderful spring are remarkable for their remedial properties. The bracing at mosphere and the pleasure excursions and fish ing frolics on the beautiful Suwanee all lend enchantment to the weary, and one soon for gets oneself in the blissful belief that the foun tain of perpetual youth has been found. Many new buildings are now going up in Live Oak. The shade trees are in full foliage, the flower yards are brilliant with blooming plants, and the little city is arrayed in her most beautiful adornipgs. Northern visitors linger long, and will leave with regret. We have had fine rains, and the crop pros pects are encouraging. VHio would not live in Florida? Suwanee. May, 1887. A beautiful full-leogth portrait of Queen Ka- piolani has been received at th|p State Depart ment.
