Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 March 1877 — Letter From Mr. and Mrs. Halstead. [ARTICLE]

Letter From Mr. and Mrs. Halstead.

Magnolia, Miss., M’ch 8, '77. Editok Union : With your permission, after first tendering oar sincere thanks to the kind friends, one and all, for the presentation of their many tokens, both public and private, of ainoere friendly regard, on the eve of onr departure, which, reviving the memory as they do of the many similar manifestations through a long course of years (though unworthy of them), will ever be cherished in life’s recolieotions as treasures far more valuable than gold, we desire to say through your columns to the many who said “Write to Us.” and all others desiring to bear, that we arrived safely on Saturday morning, -March 3d—leaving Gilman the previous Thursday noon. At that place the gentlemanly railroad agent, Mr. Depew, showed all kindness in procuring from Kankakee City our special-rate tiokets upon the certificate procured through the courtesy of Mr. Wigmore who has many warm friends here as well as there. To make things as comfortable as possible we engaged a center senlion in a Pullman sleeping car, having to pay therefor from Chicago to New Orleans sl4. It rained some daring the afternoon and quite bard during the first half oi the night, inaomuoh that we could not raise the window. The cair whs bat poorly ventilated and Mrs. Halstead felt quite prostrated in the morning, iu fact most of the night. It oleared oft' next day and she revived somewhat. The conductor showed himself to be truly a gentleman, doing all in his power to make things comfortable. The next night she rested quite well, although muoh fatigued.

Ou our arrival litre we stopped at the CentraT House, where we were soon kindly eared for by Mr. Lynian, the generous host, and his very oonrteous lady, who spare no pains in giving personal attention that we have all things to make us comfortable, so far as they are able to provide them. Mrs. sinoe her arrival, has never regret ted for a moment her coming, but is full of hope and good cheer. The climate seems to be all we could ask for. The genial climate, elevated eountry, splendid water and piney woods, all highly conducive of health, will cause you at once to give credence to the <uni* versal testimony of the inhabitants as to the healthfulness of the local* ity. Peach trees and various kinds of flowers are in foil bloom; potatoes are up; peas large enough to stick; radishes, onions and lettuoe of good size and plentiful—they are on llietable every day. To-day we are having thunder-showers and it is quite warm. In short, imagine yourselves in the middle or latter Sart of May there, and you will ave something of a conception of what it is here now, so far as weather is concerned, but no idea of the difference of the atmosphere or of the scenery. We have a‘ pleasantly situated room in the Central, on the second floor, in the southwest oorner; two south windows opening out towards the gardeu with its beautiful shrubbery; to the west, folding doors opening out on to the verauds, which extends across the. front of the building 150 feet, affording a good view of the depot immediately in front and the pine-covered hills lost beyond; while to the left; is the garden in which can be heajfd >4 almost any time the notes of the mocking bird. We should like to 101 l yon more about this hodse, of which Father Babb together with the present proprietor will probably be managers alter May first, as to its capacity, antecedents, etc., also about the people, soil, eta., ao itr as we are able to judge, but will wait until some future time, lest you become wearied with our long