Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 11 February 1898 — From the Sunny South. [ARTICLE]

From the Sunny South.

A Letter Prom Capt.J. W. Wasson. Editor Republican: Thinking that some of my friends would like to know something of our doings since leaving home, I will give you a short sketch of our trip. We stopped in Cincinnati the first night. Mercury was at zero in the morning, walked four blocks to the depot. Mrs. Wasson thought she would rather walk than ride even if it was cold, left at 8:30 over the Q. &C. for Chattanooga. Ice of about four inches in thickness on th& artificial ponds, was being harvested at many points along the line through the state of Kentucky. My enjoyed seeing the high hills and beautiful scenery along the line and especially the high bridge across the Kentucky river. The road passes through 29 tunnels after leaving Summerset, Ky., we had intended to stop a day and night at Chattanooga, going, but the weather being so cold and ice on the shallow water, to visit that point on our return. We passed through Atlanta and Macon after night. At the latter point I spent 2 months during the war. At Jesseup, Ga., we took the Plant System (which was a mistake) to Jacksonville over J. T. K. to Sanford. \ Stopping at Sanford House for over 20 hours. This is a beautiful little city of 2,000 inhabitants, beautiful because its enterprising citizens have made it so, overlooking a beautiful lake and the St. Johns river, have an excellent system of waterworks, would be a most delightful place to spend the winter. There I met a number of old comrades, who seemed to enjoy showing us the attraction of the city. I also visited the G. A. R. hall, and while they only have 21 members they have many valuable relics, also met a number of confederate veterans. From Sanford to Hanes City the effect of the frost was to be seen on every hand. Should there be no more freezes it will be many years before they are back to where they were 5 years ago. Fish 3 times a day if we want them, strawberries for dinner. Tomorrow we go for a 3 days hunt, Turkey, deer ond Sartors are the big game, with a few ucks. Yours &c.

J. M. WASSON.