Journeying Over the County Traveler's Rest, May 1, 1889. The printer made me say that Mr. Newton Sims was busy asking over his cotton, when it ought to have read, he was working over his cotton. This morning in company with Mrs. H. and little Annie Sims, I went over the river at Cedar Fall, into Fairview Township, and spent the day with Mrs. Permelia Terry, where we met a hearty welcome, and enjoyed the day very much. I was sorry that Mr. C. C. Terry was not at home as he as off on a trip to purchase some work animals, as here the family had lost three horses by that fatal disease, the glanders. It was a little singular that when we dined the table was surrounded by four widows and one old widower, but not withstanding this fact the time passed pleasantly and rapidly by. In the afternoon I went over and spent some time with our friend T. P. Baker, Esq. and his family. Was glad to find them all in health. Went from here to the residence of Mr. John Woodside, who, with his three sons, was busy at work piling logs in new ground; as the sun was getting low they came to the house and Jimmie and Willie gave us some fine music with their violins which I enjoyed very much. Mr. W. told me that when he looked along the cotton rows, he could almost imagine that he could see the greenbacks now. I bade this kind family goodbye and went a short distance and spent the night with my young friend Louis Thomson, which I greatly enjoyed. This young man merits much praise for the fine manner in which he has managed his mothers farm as his father died during the war. May2d.- In company with Mrs. H., Misses Sue Thomason, Belle Peden and Annie Sims, walked a mile or two over to Fork Shoals. On our way stopped a while at the hoe of Mr. James Willis, where we enjoyed some delightful music from the organ , by Miss Janie Willis. After several sacred songs, she sang and played a new piece to me "Strawberries and cream". Which was charming. Spent the day and night with my old friend, Wm. Davis and his family, at Fork Shoals. Here I met many of my old friends and neighbors, among whom were Dr. Willie Harrison, Messrs. Hutchings, Williams, Thompson, Silas Smith and Frank Austin. The latter stayed until bed time and we spent the time largely in [torn] May3d. - Bade these dear friends adieu, and started out to walk to your city, seventeen miles away. Mr. Davis told me that he was sorry to see me walk so far, but I told him that by the time I had got five miles on the way someone would come along in a vehicle and give me a ride. Sure enough, when I had got five miles, my old brother soldier, W. P. Culbertson, came along in his wagon going to your city, and kindly invited me to ride, which was most thankfully accepted. Mr. Culbertson is an earnest member of the Farmers' Alliance. I was glad to find so many of this noble order in the southern part of the county. In due time I arrived in your city-got dinner at W. T. Shumate's and being anxious to see my family started out on foot, eleven or twelve miles to my home; but my usual good luck, or rather Mr. Loderick Johnson, overtook me in his wagon, and invited me to ride, which I was not slow to accept. I arrived at home alittle before night and was overjoyed to find my family all well and had got on finely with all the farm and house work during my somewhat long absence. This Closed one of the most delightful trips that ever I took. It was the only time that I have taken a ride by rail since the war. In all my trip I did not see a man, woman, or child in bad temper, did not see a drop of whiskey until I had got nearly home, when an old man asked me to take a drink with him, which was declined with thanks. I am now done with these sketches and wishing the many readers of the grand old Mountaineer a kind adieu, I am as ever Yours., RAMBLER Leigh C. Smith http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Acres/4730/index.html http://wallsoftime.tripod.com/index.htm