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Newnan, Ga., Friday, August 10, 1888.
THE BLOCKADE BUSINESS.
Col. W. B. Sterrett of the Confederate
Service Relates his Experience.
The wav is over and while twenty-
four years have passed, yet every tale
of the struggle is of interest. Among
the participants on the Confederate
hide was Col. W. R. Sterett, who for a
considerable time was stationed -at
Nassau, in the Bahama islands. The
colonel took a great interest in 'the
trade carried on between his post and
the Southern States by the blockade
runners, who usually sought to reach
(lie port of Wilmington.
This gentleman is at present staying
in Chicago, and was asked for a bit of
history and personal-reminiscence con
nected with his island home. In talk
ing over the days past he said to the
Inter-Ocean:
“The Confederate agent at Nassau
was a man named ITyleger, through
whose hands many millions of dollars
must have passed, as lie bought large
quantities of army supplies, such as
boots, shoes, blankets, and arms, for
which there was so great a demand at
Nassau that merchants flocked there
from every quarter. The quaint little
town, previous to the war, was noted
only as a wrecking statiou, and the in
habitants, like those on the Cornish
coast, were reported to have ended
their evening devotions by praying that
•Cod would send a ship ashore before
morning.’ Being the nearest neutral-
port from the Southern coast, with the
exception of Cuba, which was too far
south for Wilmington and Charleston,
an immense trade sprang up, and in
the early days of the war schooners,
slow steamers, and vessels of all kinds
had no difficulty in running the so-
called blockade, selling their cargoes at
a handsome profit, and bringing out
cotton, which was purchased for ten
cents and sold for forty cents per
pound. In fact, the supply of cotton
throughout the world became so limit
ed that a famine ensued, thousands of
operatives in Manchester and other
manufacturing centers of England were
thrown out of employment, and there
was a season of much distress. The
South had a complete monopoly of the
trade, from the simple fact that cotton
cannot be grown in any other country
in the world to such advantage, because
in all cotton-growing countries, with
carj
non,
tlie exception of the South, there are
dry and wet. seasons, instead of a
lengthened period # of fine weather, va
ried by occasional rains. The closing
of the cotton ports, however, gave an
impetus to raising the material in India
and Egypt.
At the close of hostilities India cot
tons went virtually out of the market,
but Egypt still grows considerable
cpiantities. This was exceedingly for
tunate for the South, for if there had
been no cotton to bring back there
would have been no blockade-running,
except by the Confederate government
steamers, as the risk was far too great
on the inward cargo; and though the
profits were large, Confederate money
decreased so rapidly in value that be
fore bonds and money could be con
verted into gold there was more chance
for a loss than a profit.”
“Were there many large fortunes
made by blockade-running during this
period?”
“At first a great deal of money was
made, but the fact is not generally
known that the United States really
got the best of the game. During the
war there were not less than 300 vessels
with their cargoes captured and de
stroyed. It brought to grief the large
English firms of Alexander Collie &
Co., Overend, Gurney & Co., and a
number of lesser concerns who were
engaged in it. The firm of Collie Bro
thers had a line fleet of swift steamers
with three funnels and double screws,
which the sailors called ‘Three-fingered
jacks.’ Several of them were captured
by the Federals and converted into
chasers. No heavy armament was re
quired. as the blockade-runners never
carried guns, and for a mere merchant
man to resist a United States man-of-
war would be considered as an act of
piracy, and would be treated as such.
The blockade runners all floated the
British flag, and were chiefly manned
by British subjects. When captured
the crews were generally released, or
only detained for a short time.”
“There must have been a considera
ble amount of prize money due the na
vy at the close of the war then?”
“There was undoubtedly a vast
amount, if it had been properly admin
istered, but there were so many mid
dlemen, brokers, etc., to be taken care
of before it got to poor Jack. that, it
didn’t amount to as much as it should
have been. Gen. Dix, who was in com
mend of the port of New York, told a
friend of mine that blockade-running
was a most fortunate thing for the Uni
ted States navy, as it popularized the
service, and there was no difficulty in
obtaining recruits for the Atlantic
squadron. It was not, however, so easy
to get men for the ironclads on the Mis
sissippi and at New Orleans, as there
was no prospect of prize money, and
life on an ironclad in a semi-tropical
climate was anything but enjoyable.
At the close of the war many of the
captured steamers became merchant
men on the lakes, and I'occasionally
come across names of boats that plied
“The Confederate government did
not own any of the vessels directly. It
was not policy to do so. It was better
to have a British register and to fly un
der a British flag in case of capture, as
in such an.event there would only be a
short detention, whereas the crew of a
Confederate vessel would be liable to
permanent imprisonment, and theie-
fore it would have been difficult to get
men for the service. The Confederate
government was the chief ownei Oi the
Owl, a very swift vessel commanded by
Capt. Moffett, son of the great Metho
dist preacher, the Rev. John Newell
Moffett, who was noted throughout
the United States in his day. The Owl
made many successful passages, her
o consisting mainly of arms, can-
etc., purchased in England. Site
was'the last of the blockade-runners to
make the trip. I took passage on her,
as I had urgent business in the South.
We had heard of the fall of Fort Fisher
before leaving Nassau, but thought we
could reach Wilmington by landing
farther down the coast, and have the
cargo carted to the nearest railway
station. On nearing the coast, we met
a pilot boat and were told that Wil
mington had fallen as well as Fort
Fisher. The Owl went on with
her cargo to Galveston, but myself and
Hon. Thomas Connolly, a member of
Parliament, who wanted to see the ac
tual condition ot' the South, decided to
land and make our way to Richmond.
An amusing incident occurred, showing
the actual condition of the South. We
stopped at a place that had very much
the appearance of a tavern, and there
found a pretty, rosy-cheeked girl, dress
ed in a very shabby cotton gown. Mr.
Connolly, who was a jolly Irishman,
chucked her under the chin playfully
and made the remark that she was a
very pretty barmaid. This familiarity
was indignantly resented, and very
soon her father appeared upon the
scene with a revolver, and was with
difficulty restrained from taking dire
vengeance on the man who dared to in
sult the daughter of one of the largest
planters in South Carolina.”
“It is claimed that English naval of
ficers often took command of the block
ade runners?”
“Yes, that is true. One of the num
ber was Roberts, afterwards Hobart
Pasha, the Turkish admiral. He used
to keep his account with our firm, and
before his death a short time ago he
sent me a copy of his life recently pub
lished. He v was an officer of the En
glish navy, and the third son of the
duke of Buckinghamshire. He was on
leave of absence, and seeing a chance
to make money, as captains of vessels
got $5,000 in gold for the round trip
from Nassau to Wilmington and back,
and also the privilege of taking a cer
tain number of bales of cotton equiva
lent to about $2,000 more, he accepted
an offer, and took charge of the Don
under the nom de guerre of Captain
Roberts. The American consul, how
ever, soon found out that he was a
British officer, and so informed his gov
ernment. Lord Lyons, the English
minister, was*remonstrated with and
the captain received orders from the
naval authorities to join his ship, but
considering the fact that lie was mak
ing nearly $5,000 a month, considera
bly more than a lieutenant’s annual
pay, he declined. At the close of the
war lie joined the Turkish service, rose
to the rank of admiral and was created
a pasha. He was a cool, determined
fellow. Once, on passing through the
blockade squadron at the mouth of the
Cape Fear river, he received a shot in
the bow and was commanded to sur
render. Looking over the rail and see
ing it had struck high he trumpeted
back the answer: “Not until you have
put a hole in below the water line.”
But freights were high. I had at' one
time$2,000,000 worth of goods belonging
to the Confederate government, on
which I paid nearly $200 per ton freight.
Towards the close of the war the Con
federate government became very ex
acting. They prohibited the importa
tion of silk, laces, line liquors, and
other luxuries, on which large profits
were made, and which, notwithstand
ing the impoverished condition of the
South, found ready, sale, as there were
always persons, even in the worst state
of affairs, who were making money.
Then the government insisted on each
boat taking out a certain amount of cot
ton at a low rate to meet its obliga
tions abroad, and this very considera
bly diminished the profits.”
“Were you ever chased by the Fed-
! eral gunboats?”
“Yes, on oue occasion. I was a pas-
j senger on board the Will-o’-the-Wisp,
■ commanded by Captain Coppor. She
1 was a very fast boat. The Federals
kept a blockade squadron around
the Cape Fear river. They went pret
ty close in shore during the day, but at
night were obliged to keep out some
distance for fear of Confederate torpe
do boats. This gave the blockade run
ners a chance to get in at night. In
addition to this, the Federals had a
line of picket at some distance from
the blockading squadron, running up
and down the coast. It was the object
of the blockade runners to get in be
tween these two lines late in the af
ternoon and run in at nightfall. About
4 o’clock in the afternoon a Steamer
hove in sight, but we soon left her. She,
very rapidly. She was evidently no
slow coach. She signaled to hoist col
ors. We showed the British flag, but
as we paid] no attention to her orders
to heave to but kept ou at full speed,
she gave us a reminder of her presence,
by firing a shot from her bow chaser,
which came unpleasantly near. We
crowded on all steam, opened the
hatches and commenced to throw the
cargo overboard. 'The grst that disap
peared beneath the waves were several
large Whitworth guns, which were
packed in cases on the decks. A stern
-chase is proverbially a long chase. The
sight was ayery novel and exciting'one,
made particularly lively by twenty-
three shots she favored us with, many
of which came unpleasantly near. It
was an anxious moment, you-may well
realize. In these • semi-tropical lati
tudes it goes from daylight to darkness
immediately; there is no twilight. This
was fortunate for us, and Wellington
never prayed harder for night than we
did. At last the darkness fell. Every
light was put out on board. The course
was changed, and we came to a stand
still, and could hear the cruiser on the
opposite tack. She did not catch us,
but she spoiled our trip, damaged our
cargo and compelled us to put back to
Nassau for repairs. We subsequently
heard that the cruiser was the Gettys
burg, and that she had been a captured
blockade runner. No wonder she made
such good time.”
favorable to a pure Christianity—and
not only so, Christianity would be less
aggressive, and its progress and estab
lishment would be retarded.
Most of the ladies in Saratoga, it is
said, have discarded the bustle in honor
of Mrs. Cleveland. One lady who re
cently arrived at the springs “with 300
dresses and two trunks filled with bus
tles” has not opened one of the trunks.
After reading that Mrs. Cleveland had
said the bustle must go, she tele
graphed at once for her dressmaker
and had 300 new dresses made, in the
making of which the bustle was not
considered as a factor. Of course she
is a millionaire’s wife and—this must
be said beneath one’s breath—has much
more money than brains.
A Macon man has invented a cotton
chopper that gives promise of revolu
tionizing the present system of thin
ning out the plants and getting rid of
the grass. This machine acts upon an
entirely different principle, says the
inventor, from any other,, in that
while others have rotary knives, his
machine works with knives having a
lateral motion. He claims that his
machine will leave one or two, or even
three stalks standing, if desired, and at
the same time loosen the earth and cut
away the grass. It is adjustable it . j* le bottles tree
any kind of soil, for any space between t at A j Lyndon’s Drug Store.
Log Cabixs were the
most prominent feature
of the Presidential Cam
paign of 1840. At the
opening of the campaign
the opposition sneering-
ly proclaimed “Tippeca
noe” Harrison a low fellow, “born in a
log cabin.” His friends at once made
the Log Cabin f he emblem of the most
enthusiastic of campaigns. Warner’s
Log Cabin Remedies and “Tippecanoe”
stomach tonic are enthusiastically re
ceived by the American people to-day,
because they are the remedies of the
common people—simple but effective.
Old lady (to boy who is trying to tie
a tin kettle to a dog’s tail)—“Little boy,
don’t you know that it is wicked to
treat a poor, dumb annual so ?”
'Little bov—“Dumb ? Just wait till I
let him go?”
Is Consumption Incurable?
Read the following: Mr. C. H. Mor
ris, Newark, Ark., says:- “Was down
with Abscess of Lungs, and friends and
physicians pronounced me an incurable
consumptive. Began taking Dr. King’s
New Discovery for Consumption; am
now on my third bottle, and am able, to
oversee the work on my farm. It is the
finest medicine ever made.”
Jesse Middleware Decatur, 0. r says:
“Had it not been for Dr. King’s New
Discovery for Consumption I would
have died of Lung Troubles. Was given
up by doctors. Am now in best of
. nnM nnu/AI 7rom the debilitating effects of summera
/F ALL RUN UU WW /» heat; ifyou can’t sleep, have no appetite, lack
*— ambition, and are always tired, you are as
„uch » need of medicine as if rick abed. You need Paine’s Celery Compound at this
season when the whole system is debilitated by the wear and tear of work or play m
,l,e e^'reme heat. Can you afford the time and cost of a vacation? Paine's Celery
Compound will remove the need of one. It is the only hot weather tonic that has true
medicinal value. Compounded from the formula of a successful physician, as a general
invigorator it has no equal. When all
run down from heat or overwork, re
member that Paine’s Celery Compound
Sold bv all druggists, ?1 a bottle.
WILL BRACE YOU UP.
Six for $5.
WELLS, RICHARDSON & CO., Proprs, Burlington, Yt.
THOMPSON BROS.,
NEW NAN, GA.
FINE AND CHEAP FURNITURE
- AT PRICES-
THAT CANNOT BE BEAT IN THE STATE. »
For sale, also, by J.L, Askew, Pal
metto; G. W. Glower, Grantville.
The Springfield Republican sum
marizes the attitude of the Republican
par tv thus: “Against a first rate man
and a just policy it has pitted a second
rate man and an linjust policy.”
Electric Bitters.
This remedy is becoming so well
known and so popular as to need no
special mention. All who have used
Electric Bitters sing the same song of
praise. A purer medicine does not ex
ist. and it is guaranteed to do all that
is claimed. Electric Bitters will cure
all diseases of the Liver and Kidneys;
will remove Pimples, Boils, Salt Rheum
and other affections caused by impure
blood. Will drive Malaria from the
system and prevent as well as cure all
Malarial fevers. For cure of Headache,
Constipation and Indigestion try Elec
tric Bitters. Entire satisfaction guar
anteed or money refunded. Price 50c.
and $-1.00 per bottle at Lyndon’s Drug
Store.
For sale, also, by J. L. Askew, Pal
metto; G. W. Glower, Grantville.
There are about 156,060 miles of rail-
wayfin the United States, which cost to
build $9,000,000,000. A million men are
employed to operate them.
Bucklin’s Arnica Salve.
The best salve in the world for Cuts,
Bruises, Sores, Ulcers, Salt Rheum, Fe
ver Sores, Tetter, Chapped Hands,
Chilblains. Corns, and all Skin Erup
tions, and positively cures Piles, or no
pay required. It is guaranteed to give
perfect satisfaction, or money refund
ed. Price 25 cents per box. For sale
by A. J. Lyndon.
For sale, also, by J. L. Askew, Pal
metto: G. W. Clower, Grantville.
When the idea of pleasure strikes
your imagination, make a just compu
tation between the duration of the
pleasure and that of the repentance
that is likely to follow.
Flaming Fire in The Veins.
We hold positive proof that Acker’s
English Blood Elixir cures alU blood
poisons where cheap sarsaparillas and
so-called blood purifiers fail. Knowing
this, we sell it to all who call at our
store on a positive guarantee. For sale
by W. P. Broom, Newnan, Ga.
plants, and any misstep of the mule or
horse does not interrupt its motion or
move it out of line. It is not affected
in any way by a stump or rock, and
the chopping blade is neither dulled
nor broken by striking the stump or
rock. The inventor claims for it that
he can chop out a row of cotton with
the same ease and in less time than it
takes to plow it. There is nothing to
get out of order and nothing to.break;
with good care it Will last for years.
There is a sensible woman out in
Ord, Nebraska. She discovered a bur
glar under her bed a few nights ago.
Instead of screaming she quietly un
dressed and went to bed, and taking a
pistol from under the pillow ordered
the fellow to depart. He left. The
only fault we find with her is that she
did not fire two or three shots under
the bed. But our object in publishing
this is to commend her example to
other women. All women—especially
those who live in the country, and
others who have to be much alone
should learn to handle a pistol. It
would be ample protection. If, when
a villian approaches a woman with a
vile purpose she would point a pistol
at him, he would “get a move on him”
very quick. It is the helplessness of
women that invites attack. If they
could defend themselves they would
be safe. We urge the ladies to prac
tice the art of self-defense. Thei’e is
nothing unwomanly about it. On the
contrary it is commendable for many
reasons.
A quick-witted youngster, who is al
ways in the dirt, got into disgrace the
other day. The teacher, ferule in
hand, called him to her desk, and on
the way thither the boy made a hasty
preparation for the approaching cere
mony by hastily drawing his tongue
across the palm of his right hand, and
wiping the latter upon his pants leg.
Arriving at the desk, and at the word
of command, he extended the newly
cleaned hand. The teacher looked at
it a moment in silence, and then in a
solemn and reproachful voice told the
little culprit that if he would show
her a dirtier hand in that school she
would let him off. Quick as thought
the little fellow whipped out his left
hand from behind his back, and looked
up with a smile of triumph. The
feruling was indefinitely postponed.
An enthusiastic Democrat from
Texas makes prediction concerning
Judge Thurman in the coming politi
cal race in language of pure Texan elo
quence, as follows: “The old Roman is
a man from way up where the creek
forks the last time. He will snap onto
the canvass like a dog onto a rabbit
skin, and he’ll figlit ’em like a wild cat
in a tin oven. When Thurman gets up
and cracks his heels together and goes
at ’em red-eyed, they’ll find that he’s a
humper from Humper’s junction, and
that he’ll sweep the country from
Maine to sundown. In my opinion he
has the elements of success in him
bigger than a woodchuck.
. ! repair
People are almost continually stnv- 1 -
iiv to accomplish purposes which, . • u
! would bring no blessing could they be j shoeing a specialty. ^
; accomplished. For instance, all party j All work done b\ skilled
j men want their party to be very large- j workmen, under the SUpervis-
Tv in the ascendant. But the P hil °;j ; on G f an experienced superin-
Biff stock of Chamber suits in Walnut, Antique Oak, and
Cherry, and Imitation suites.
French Dresser Suites (ten pieces), from $22.60 to $125.00.
Plush Parlor Suits, $35.00 and upward.
Bed Lounges, $9.00 and upward.
Silk Plush Parlor Suits, $50.00.
Good Cane-seat Chairs at $4.50 per set.
Extension Tables, 75 cents per foot.
Hat Racks from 25 cents to $25.00. ,
Brass trimmed Curtain Poles at 50 cents.
Dado. Window Shades, on spring fixtures, very low.
Picture Frames on band and made to .order.
SPLENDID PARLOR ORGANS
Low, for cash or on the installment plan.
Metallic and Wooden Coffins ready at all times, night or
day.
THOMPSON BROS.,
NEWNAN, GA.
WAGON
NEWNAN
COMPANY.
AT FOLDS’ OLD STAND,
DEPOT ST., NEWNAN, GA.
We are now prepared to do
any kind of Wagon work, and
in the best and most workman
like manner. Nothing but se
lect material is used in the con
struction of our wagons, and
every vehicle of our manufac
ture is sold upon an absolute
guarantee.
All kinds of WAGONS,
(double or single,) DRA\ S,
CARTS, etc., made to order,
with patent iron hub and axle
or otherwise, as purchaser may
desire.
Special attention given to
buggy, wagon and plantation j generally.
work. Buggies over
hauled and repainted. Horse-
FURNITURE!
I buy and sell more FURNITURE than all the dealers in
Atlanta combined. I operate fifteen large establishments. I t
buy the entire output of factories; therefore I can sell you
cheaper than small dealers. Read some of ray prices:
A Nice Plush Parlor Suit, $35.00.
A Strong Hotel Suit, $15.00.
A Good Bed Lounge, $10.00.
A Good Single Lounge, $5.00.
A Good Cotton-Top Mattress, $2.00.
A Good Strong Bedstead, $1.50.
A Nice Rattan Rocker, $2.50.
A Nice Leather Rocker, $5.00.
A Strong Walnut Hat Rack, $7.00.
A Nice Wardrobe, $10.00.
A Fine Glass Door Wardrobe, $30.00.
A Fine Book Case, $20.00.
A Good Office Desk, $10.00.
A Fine Silk Plush Parlor Suit, $50.00.
A Fine Walnut 10-Piece Suit, $50.00.
A Nice French Dresser Suit, $25.00,
I respectfully invite everybody to examine my stock, and get
my prices before buying your Furniture. I have the finest as
well as the cheapest Furniture in Atlanta. Write for prices.
A. G. RHODES,
85 \yhitehall St., Atlanta, Ga.
MICKELBERRY & McCLENDON,
WHOLESALE OROCERS,
PRODUCE AND COMMISSION MERCHANTS,
NO. 15 SOUTH BROAD ST., ATLANTA, GA.
Hay, Oats, Corn, Meal, Bran, Stock Feed,
Onions, Feathers, Cabbage, Irish Potatoes,
Dressed and Live Poultry, Meat, Flour,
Lard, N. O. Syrup, Dried Beef, Cheese
FRUITS AND ALL KINDS OF PROVISIONS AND COUNTRY PRODUCE.
Good, dry, rat-prooi stou-
Consigmnents solicited. Quick sales and prompt remittances
vge. Excellent facilities for the care of perishable goods.
Judge Tolleson Kirby, Traveling Salesman.
References: Gate City National Bank, and merchants and bankers of Atlanta ?
between Nassau and the South in those ‘ tlie ot j iei . vessel bore down upon us
exciting days. : from an opposite quarter and gained
however, signalled to another vessel,.... — ,, , v**. «.** P- r
and while we were merrily speeding j sophical outsider knows thatt i»you , . anc [ WARRANTED.
awav one of the .floats of the paddle- j not be well for the country, mos ^ ■ anc ] us
wheel gave way and came crashing j sectarians wish that all mankind could | Get our puces and
| through the bulwarks greatly diminish- j be brought to their way of thinking on - an order ; we guarantee satlS-
While in this dilemma i points of theology. But nothing i> j f ac ti 0 n.
more clearly established than that a D J FOLDS, Supt.
uniformity of religious beliefs 4 s j
ing our speed.
Insure your houses against
Tornadoes and Cyclones,
with
H. C. FISHER & CO., Ag’ts.,
Newnan, Ga.
The safest Companies and
lowest rates.
MEDICINE
str ensrtheni»g tin: ’Jter-
u " ti,R wwtl Jicalih.
• ae.»uU»teU woman-health- " ' ** - -
your Druggist.
G 1 'W.GmvcUtrumvaiefca. Ga d