Our Visit to Ducktown<\/b><\/p>\n
On Friday morning last we took passage on the Cleveland and Ducktown Hack Line, to see out mountain friends at Ducktown. A journey of 46 miles, consuming about 12 hours, landed us at Hunter\u2019s Hotel, in the beautiful little town of Hiawassee. On the way we stopped and took dinner at the Halfway House, which is now kept by that prince of clever fellows, <\/span>Mr. E. C. GIBSON<\/b>, the mail contractor between this place and Ducktown. The route from this point to within two and a half miles of Hiawassee, is grand and picturesque to the traveler– high and majestic mountains tower far above, while the Ocoee river goes leaping, raging, and foaming over the falls below. The scenery is grand, sublime and romantic, and awaken the most lively and thrilling emotions in the bosom of the traveler. But as we did not start out to dwell upon this theme, at length, we will at once proceed to the business before us. Saturday, the 8th of June, had been set apart by the citizens of Ducktown, to have a<\/span><\/p>\n SUNDAY SCHOOL PICNIC.<\/span><\/p>\n Early on Saturday morning– before the King of day had kissed the dew drops from the mountain shrubbery– the commotion of the citizens betokened that it was to be a big day for Ducktown. At an early hour the people commenced \u00a0pouring into town from all points of the compass, and by eight o\u2019clock an immense concourse had assembled to participate in the festivities of the occasion. The several Sunday Schools had assembled at the M.E. Church, South, and at 9 o\u2019clock the procession was formed and ready to march to the grounds selected for the purpose, which were located about a mile north of Hiawassee. As the procession moved up Main street it presented an imposing sight, with its banners all festooned and inscribed with appropriate inscriptions– preceded by the Brass Band– all under the direction of <\/span>Mr. W.J. WITT<\/b>, Chief Marshall. Arrived at the grounds we found that an arbor had been erected and a speaker\u2019s stand constructed, arched with beautiful evergreens. <\/span>Col. James PARKS<\/b> had been appointed Master of Ceremonies, who performed the manifold duties of his position with courtesy and much dignity.The opening exercises were ushered in by a song from the Sunday School scholars and prayer by <\/span>Mr. James JORY<\/b>. Them Dr<\/strong><\/span>. S. AUBRIGHT<\/b> was introduced, who made an address which was characterized by good logic and fine reasoning. The <\/span>Rev. Thos. A. HIGDON<\/b> followed in a very appropriate speech and was listened to very attentively by those who could get within hearing distance. <\/span>Capt. Harry JORY<\/b> next appeared upon the rostrum and made quite a thrilling talk to the audience in behalf of the Sunday School cause– showing what an auxilery [sic] it was to the Christian Church and a state of good morals. At the conclusion of his remarks it was announced that a recess of two hours would be given for the purpose of eating dinner and recreation. The vast assembly dispersed and the hillsides were dotted over with little groups of friends and relatives, preparatory of partaking of the good things which had been prepared for the occasion. When eating time was announced every one pitched in, apparently, with a will and good appetites. The Banner man was not forgotten at this very interesting posture of things. and everybody wanted him to join them at their festive boards, and if he could have complied with their requests his protuberance would have entirely thrown that of Falstaff far into the shade.– There was an abundance to eat, and it was real good.<\/span><\/p>\n At 2 o\u2019clock the crowd again collected under the arbor and was addressed by the <\/span>Rev. Mr. NEAL<\/b> and the <\/span>Rev. Mr. WOODHEAD<\/b>. At the conclusion of their speeches a few appropriate remarks were made by the Superintendent, <\/span>Mr. NANKIVILL<\/b>— the founder of the Sunday Schools at Ducktown–when the festivities were announced closed, and the assembly commenced disbursing for their homes, the best pleased set we have ever had the good fortune to meet up with.<\/span><\/p>\n We have attended many occasions similar to the above, but we have never been at any one where everything was managed so well as the one in question. Nothing was left undone that would conduce to make it a complete success. The system and good order characterized every department speaks well for that people as a christain [sic] and hospitable community. The Union Sunday School Picnic, at Ducktown, on June 8th, 1872, will be an epoch in the history of our humble life that time will never efface from the memory\u2026..<\/span><\/p>\n SCHOOLS<\/span><\/p>\n Ducktown is blessed with good schools. ON the evening of the 7th instant the Mine City School, at Hiawassee, closed its late session, having been attended with fin success. For the past eighteen months this Institute has been under the Professorship of <\/span>Mr. DAWSON<\/b> one of the most efficient and successful instructors\/ He has built up a fine reputation for Mine City School and it is meeting with the best success. There is also a fine school at Isabella Seminary, under the tutorship of<\/span> Professor HUTSELL<\/b>. This Seminary was built and furnished by <\/span>Capt. J.E. RAHT<\/b>, out of his private funds. Speaking of the liberality of the Captain, reminds us that we were informed that he bought and donated to the Mine City School, a Piano costing $500. <\/span>Sam Frank PARKS<\/b>, the mountain poet, is teaching at the East Tennessee Mine, and informed us that he had a good school. \u00a0To give the reader some idea of the juvenile population of the mining region, it is necessary for us to mention the fact that the Sunday Schools there aggregate over 500 scholars\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n POLITICAL<\/span><\/p>\n Parties are pretty equally divided in the copper region, but the people up there, irrespective of party are unanimously in favor of running <\/span>Dr. S. AUBRIGHT<\/b> to represent Polk and Bradley counties in the next Legislature– he is a good man of fine abilities, but we do not know that he aspires to the position\u2026.<\/span><\/p>\n To one and all, the \u201cBanner\u201d man and woman, would tender their most sincere thanks for the courtesies extended to them during their late visit, and more especially do we return thanks to <\/span>Mr. and Mrs. HUNTER<\/b>, \u201cmine host and hostess,\u201d for the kind offices we received at their hands. As a partial return we commend their Hotel to the traveling public as a place where they will receive the best fare and good attention. [some sections of the article that did not include any names have been redacted from this transcription]. (page 2, cols 2 & 3)<\/span><\/p>\n