Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 29, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 July 1911 — “OUR EASTERN TRIP.” [ARTICLE]

“OUR EASTERN TRIP.”

Last Half of Journey Reported By Another Lay Member of Party. f The following interesting account of the last half of The Democrat party’s recent eastern trip is written by a young lady member of the party and covers the trip from New York to Norfolk, Washington, Cincinnati and thence home. An account of the first half of the trip, by another young lady, appeared in last Saturday’s. issue: Aiter a little bit of excitement in getting to the pier in New York in time to take the steamship “Jefferson,” on the Old Dominion line, the state rooms were assigned to the members of the party, and we were fairly on our way, when we learned Mr. Babcock had lost his ticket. ~ We all supposed the fault lay with the man who assigned us our state rooms, and the Steward used the wireless telegraph and sent word to the aforesaid gentleman to forward the ticket to Old Point Comfort. All but Mr. Babcock were much concerned about it. He felt sure it would turn up all right and was the coolest one •/ in the crowd. \ Our next trouble came when the ■porter took our baggage to the state rooms. Some of us were wrongly assigned rooms in the hurry at the boat landing. But after a little confusion we were all called to the Office, and matters were adjusted and we all felt at ease.

Going out of New York harbor we soon sought the upper deck, where we could view for the last time the beautiful statue of. Liberty, Ellis Island and other points of Interest, beside passing the cities of New York and Brooklyn and going out past Sandy Hook Into the ocean. This being a new experience tor most of us>, we thoroughly enjoyed seeing the white-caps, which were visible for a great distance. The sea was quite calm for awhile and we enjoyed sitting on deck and chatting with other tourists, who had been visiting Boston and other points of Interest, some of which we had seen and some not, also hoping the sun would go down clear. But we were disappointed in this respect, but we did enjoy seeing the moon come out clear and its reflection in the water was beautiful. The chief engineer finally seemed to think we were beoomlng rather quite, so he Joined us and kept us laughing with his tales. He picked out two bachelor girls and presented them with brass buttons, then invited them to his quarters and showed them many relics he had gathered. One was cup cut out of wood from the battleship Constitution; another a beautifully carved head of an African with a cap of ruby neatric and a crown of twen-‘ty-slx diamonds. This was so small that a magnifying gflass was necessary to see the fine work. The head was mounted upon a stick pin. By this time the sea was becoming quite rough, and wq all enjoyed watching the big waves. About nine o'clock that evening we were in sight of the lights on the famous board walk at Atlantic City. We were about eight miles out from land, but we could scarcely believe we were more than a mile away. These lights were visible for quite a long time.

We found our first and only use for wraps about this time, and one of the ladies was very grateful to Mr. Ott for taking a second coat with him, and not only borrowed that, but also the cloak of one of ,the ladies who did not mind the cold. The sea has a preculiar dampness of its own. and we all noticed the difference between the salt and fresh water. Several of us were noticing the roughness of the sea by this time, and wished we might stay out of door all night. But it was thought beßt we retire, and as soon as some of us reached our state rooms we experienced the anticipated tpjeasure of sea-sickness, and were glad others of the party could wait on us. We all planned to arise early the next morning to see the sun rise. Some enjoyed the pleasure, others looked out of the windows for a glimpee of it, but were only too glad to lie down again. By the time breakfast was called. however, everyone was in their places and those who had been tick, forgot all about it, and became greatly Interested In the sights as we came within view of land.

The field-glasses were again In demand as we neared Fortress Menroe, which is the largest fortification In the U. S., covering eighty acres of land. Our boat landed at Old Point Comfort, first stop we had made since leaving New York City, at 9:30 Friday morning. This place looked so interesting we were anxious to visit it, but decided to go on to Norfolk first. The boat ride from Old Point to Norfolk was delightful as we entered Hampton Roads and viewed the James River on one side, the Chesapeake Bay on another and the ocean back of us. Fort ..Wool lay close by, and we began to realize we were on historical .ground. We landed at Norfolk amid the colored pebple of the south, and when Mr. Babcock called for our tickets to make reservations for state rooms on the Norfolk and Washington boat line, one of the ladies opened her purse and found two tickets there, and one was Mr. Babcock’s, which had been missing since leaving New York. Of course we were all delighted, so we decided we would find a place to eat our lunch before going to see the sights. We found a typicaJl Virginia restaurant, and oh! that watermelon, the kind that only grows in the south. And with that and other good things we were soon well satisfied.

One of our party became so interested in a waiter at this restaurant that she asked him what wages he was getting. We don’t know what the result will be, whether she considered his wage sufficient for two or not. - After crossing the street and pur-, chasing the usual number of post cards, we went’ to see the old St. Luke’s Episcopal church, erected in 1739. It was twice fired on by the British and still retains, embedded in its walls, a shell fired by Lord Dunmore’s fleet Jan. 1, 1776. Norfolk is a quaint old southern city and we saw more colored people than we had ever seen before, from the little pickaninny to the old tottering grandpas and grand'mas. There are wotme very 'good booking business buildings in the \city and many others erected “befo’ de wab.” A fine Confederate monument occupies a prominent

'place at the head of Commercial 'Square, on Main street. The Norfolk Academy over 100 years old, and said td be one of the finest 'Doric specimens extant, is also 'located here. • We left Norfolk by an electric car and went to Ocean View, a distance of eight miles. This is apopular seaside resort, with up-to-date amusements, but our party with 'the exception of a few, donned 'bathing suits and spent all our <spare time in the ocean. And oh! 'how we enjoyed it. (We are not 'saying anything about the sunburned side of the story.) From there we went to Willoughby Beach. This place was not so attractive. The houses were certainly “built upon the sand” there, land when it comes to a place to live, we much prefer Indiana. > We took the ferry here, and passed close by Fort Wool (or the ■Rip-Raps.) This is located on a 'built up island, on the west side 'of the channel between Old Point Comfort and the Virginia mainland. ’lt carries heavy disappearing guns, -and commands the entrance to Hampton Roads. Crossed Hampton Roads to Old Point Comlfort, on our way, seeing the site of Jamestown exposition, some of the buildings still remaining there.

Fortress Monroe at Old Point is !a very interesting place. The inferior contains, beside drill grounds, officers’ quarters and barracks, post chapel, a museum of war trophies, relics of the battle of Yorktown, and the casement where Jefferson Davis was confined as a prisoner of war. The fort is surrounded by water, the ocean on one side and a moat on the other three sides. The army Y. M. C. A. building (was presented to the enlisted men tof Fortress Monroe by Miss Helen 'Gould. . , We passed through the Chamberlain Hotel at Old Point. It is a very beautiful building, with its large parlors, beautiful porches decorated with ferns and palms, and a swimming pool in the center 'of the building. We found we were too late to go to Newport News, so took a brofley and went to Phebus, which was used as a camping ground by ’McClellan's army of 168,0(10—mem We found a restaurant which

only gave short order meals, and we ordered our suppers, but, even 'with the assistance of Miss Besse, our waiter could not serve us all *in time to get back to Old Point to take our boat. However, some of us fared very well and since the trolley failed to work we got a cab ride that was not 'bargained for, and got back in good 'time to take the “Northland” steamship up Chesapeake Bay and the 'Potomac river to Washington, D. C. At the pier at Old Point we ■met Jhe same crowd of thirty-six 'young men tourists from Cincinnati ■who had come down on the boat 'the night before, also our Indianapolis friends,. ' We had nothing to worry us now, as the ticket was found, our state rooms were assigned as they should be, the bay was calm and the moonlight delightful.

The boat itself was a beauty, the 'interior being finished in white, -with trimmings of gold, and with 'dark green carpets upon the floors. The ride up the tbay was so restful, and we were highly entertained •with songs fro-m our little Indianapolis friends. (Two sons of an Indianapolis couple who were making the same trip.) We hardly knew wnerr we should retire, everything was so peaceful and the air so refreshing, but we also knew' we wanted to arise early the next morning to see as much of the Potomac by daylight as possible. So at eleven o’clock we ‘said good night, and at 4:30 were called, and we realized that we ’had got up none too early, as the scenery almost rivaled that of the Hudson. ’ Our first stop at Alexandria, 'where we enjoyed seeing the negro dock hands unloading the freight. 'Several of the young ladies picked out their favorites of those dark'hued workers, and, strange to say, they could distinguish them better by their., clothes than by their iaces.

Mr. Ott immediately began wearing gayer colors. Shortly after leaving Alexandria our glasses were turned upon the city of Washington. A gentleman r" the boat pointed out the different ‘places of interest that could be seen in the distance. Before leaving the boat we all enjoyed a good ■breakfast, and upon landing were 'taken In automobiles to the fine new Union station, passing the Capitol and other places of interest on the way. We checked our ■baggage at the depot, then we were free for the day. We walked from the station to the Senate office building, where Senator Kern's secretary took us in charge, showed us through that ImiltMng and wett with us by subway to the Capifoi building.

Here we visited the senate chamber, supreme court room, and Statuary Hall, one of the most beautifful rooms of the Capitol. Noticab’.e among the statues of great people is that of a woman —the only one in the room —Frances E. Willard, the founder of the Women’s Christian Temperance Union. The Rotunda in the center of the main building of the capitol is also an interesting place. It is here we saw the beautiful paintings of The Embarkation of the Pilgrims, The Declaration of Independence, The Surrender of Burgoyne, and many others. We then visited the President’s and Vice-President’s rooms, which were beautiful, the President’s room being first used by Thomas Jefferson.

We next went to the Library of Congress, the grounds adjoining those of the Capitol. It is a magnificent building, costing about seven millions of doHars. Before entering the building our attention was f called to the bronze fountain by Hinton Perry, at the foot of the steps leading into the building. Next the bronze doors attracted us, representing Printing, Writing and Tradition in their relation to education. We entered the south hall where Poetry is so beautifully represented on the walls and ceiling, and from there passing through the central hall we took the elevator that we might view the reading room to the best advantage. This room is beyond description as we viewed it, with Its statuary and mottoes on every side. The room is one hundred fefet in diamater, one hundred twenty-five feet in height; the pillars are forty feet high and the windows thirty-two feet wide. The richness of' the color lies in the different marbles used. The symbolical statues of Religion, Commerce, Art, Philosophy, Poetry, Law and Science were beautiful.

Visiting Washington on Saturday, we found all public buildings closed during the summer at 1 p. m., so we felt we must tear ourselves away from this beautiful building, but walking down the stairs, such mottoes as “Words are also actions, and Actions are a Kind of Words,” “Ignorance is the Curse of God; Knowledge the Wing Wherewith We fly to Heaven,” “Knowledge comes, but Wisdom lingers,” presented themselves to ug in such a way, we hope never to forget them. Every thoughtful and truly patriotic American has a pride in the city of Washington, located and founded by the great immortal Pater Patriae -'/hose illustrious name it bears. First planned in 1791, by Pierre Charles L’Enfant, a distinguished French engineer who served with distinction, assisted by advice and suggestion from Thomas Jefferson. Distinguished landscape engineers and civic improvement artists have contributed to and elaborated on the original plan, until Washington has finally become one of the truly beautiful cities of the world.

The twenty-one avenues, bearing the names of the State, radiate from puincapal centers and connect the different parts of the city; the wide spaces at the intersection of these avenues are called “circles” and bear the name of distinguished Americans. The alphabetical thoroughfares run east and west, and the numbered ones north and south. These streets and avenues are of generous width, with driveways of asphalt and foot-walks of cement; bordered with nearly one hundred thousand trees, the streets alone are a great feature. We next visited the Treasury where a guide took us through the building and pointed out and explained the different interesting details. Among other interesting sights in this building was the flag that was draped about Lincoln’s box at the theater the night he *was assasinated.

From there we went to the White House and grounds, and our attention was called to the Jawn where the children roll eggs at Earlier time. We were admitted into this mansion through a colonade on the east. This admits visitors to the basement corridor, on the w'alls of which are hung the portraits of a numiber of former mistresses of the White House, and in china closets on either side are exhibited china and glasswase used by Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt and others. After viewing these and noticing the rest rooms on one side, we 'went upstairs and saw the “East Room,” beautiful decorated with old gold- draperies. This is the room used for public receptions and is a magnificent apartment. We also visited all the other rooms open to visitors.

The White House was the first public building erected at the seat of government. Washington himself selected the site, laid the corner stone (October 13, 1792). and lived to see the building completed. John Adams was its first occupant. In 1814, the house was fired by marauding British troops, and only the walls left standing. With restoration the stone was painted white to obliterate the marks of the fire, and outside of official usage it is, therefore, as the White House, that the Executive Mansion is universally known. We then viewed a number of public buildings, without going into them, while on our way to the Washington monument. Some thought for a time they were unequal to the task of climbing the hill, but a few felt they could not leave Washington without going to this historical place, and it was not long until the entire party were inspired and all reached It, just as the elevator was making the last trip for the day, but we were glad we could go into it at least, and realize its great height, 555% feet. By this time we were all ready for a good dinner, which we ate at the Mt. Vernon Case. After which we went by trolley to Mt Vernon, 16 miles' away, which 6e-

cupies a beautiful site overlooking the Potomac river. This, being the home and burial place of Washington, was of great interest to of us. Much of the rurniture used by Washington can be seen here. His tomb, a few hundred yards from the mansion, is a plain structure of brick, covered with the vines that are seen so often in the east. Within it Are the two marble sarcophagi, containing the remains of the “Father of his Country” and his wife. The old tomb is also an interesting place to visit. The restoration, furnishing and maintenance of the various rooms of the mansion has been given the most careful attention by the Board of Regents of the Mt. Vernon Ladies’ Memorial Association of the Union.

•v Oh our way back to the capital we stopped at Alexandria, a typical southern city. Prior to the stirring days of the Revolutionary War, Alexandria was the American metropolis of the British Crown. Pervaded with the atmosphere of departed centuries, it furnishes material for poets, philosophers and romancers. Many of the old streets are paved with cobblestones laid by Hessian prisoners of war, under direction of General Washington. Among the notable points of interest in Alexandria may be mentioned the residence of Lord Thomas Fairfax; the Carlyle House, where the celebrated Congress of Alexandria was held between the Colonial Governors and General Braddock, and where Washington received his first commission; quaint old Christ Church where Washington worshipped, and where ms pew, marked by facsimile autograph of a silver plate, remains unaltered; the engine house of old Friendship Fire Company of which Washington was a prominent member; the old City patel, a famous hostelry, from vHiose steps Washington gave his last military orders; and the Alex-andria-Washington Masonic Lodge, of which Washington was Master. Pennsylvania Avenue, connecting the railway stations, Capitol, General Post Office, Treasury, White House, War, State and Navy Departments, is the great central thoroughfare. Its width varies from 160 to 180 feet, and its length of 4%- mile® traverses the finest business section of the city, forming Its most popular and fashionable drive.

We then went back to Washing-] ton and realized our trip was nearly at an end. So. after supper we viewed the city by electric light, walking up the famous Pennsylvania Avenue to the capitol and. there took a car to the union sta- j tion again. This is a beautiful, structure, the passenger concourse Is the largest room in the world under one roof. We left Washington at 11:10 p. m., all tired yet anxious for morning to come that we might again view the mountains of the East. About 4:30 Sunday morning we were awakened as we were going through the Blue Ridge tunnel and as soon as possible a number of us were looking out of the windows of our sleeper berths, and we were / not disappointed for we could see the Blue Ridge mountains in the distance, and realized we were above the clouds part of the time. We did not get the full benefit of the mountain scenery until we got into West Virginia, where our train followed the mountains at their base, with a river flowing nearby. Then we could realize something of their height. We saw many mining, stations and at one place an automobile was seen. Our wonder was where it could go to among such hills. ° We did not see any wagon roads; it seemed the river and the railroad track took up all the space between the mountains.

The Chesapeake & Ohio has much beautiful scenery along its route, the Hav f r ks Nest being one of these, and we strained our eyes all morning trying not to miss aything, but of course that was impossible. We got off the train for a few moments] at Charleston, W. Virginia, and enjoyed the fresh air after passing ( through so many tunnels. As we came through Kentucky many of us took advantage of the time to sleep. We ran into a rain storm near Mayfield, Ky., and from there on to Cincinnati it had rainel much of the way,making the air cool and fresh. As we neared Cincinnati we could not help but notice how much more thrifty the country looked. We arrived in Cincinnati at five p. nr., and went to the Grand Hotel to spend the night. ■ The Grand certainly' treats its guests- royally, as we seldom sit down to such feasts as were spread (for us at a table especially prepared for us, seating our exact number, fourteen, with Mr. Babcock at the head and Mrs. Babcock at •the foot. The head waiter and four assistants gave personal attention to •our table both at dinner and breakfast, and,while tne latter was excellent, the dinner was a regular banquet spread and one of the finest we ever sat down to.

Finding the first train left at 8:20 next morning, some of out •party decided to stay in the city •until noon, most of the others came •as far as Indianapolis for a threehour stop-over there, and some Came on home. • We passed through such refreshing rains after leaving Indianapolis that we wished the people in the •east might be enjoying the same. • As a party we all felt we could not thank Mr. and Mrs. Babcock •enough for the way in which they hau planned this trip, taking all of •the responsibility upon their shoulders and giving us a week so full of •pleasure that was an education in itself. y '[ • These composing the were •all congenial people, and while we •were strangers at first, we never •will be again, and when people •ask us which place / we enjoyed •most, we are finable to say, as •every ipom fen t was a moment of pleasure. MEMBERS OF THE PARTY.