George Washington Flowers Memorial Collection DUKE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY ESTABLISHED BY THE FAMILY OF COLONEL FLOWERS Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2015 https://archive.org/details/winterresortsloc01seab Winter ^^%m$ Located on and Reached pia the « « » • « » « ^^caboard }\\t Cine. Passenger Department E. ST. JOHN, Vice-Fres't and Gen I Manager. H. VV. B. GLOVER, Traffic Manager. T. J. ANDERSON, Gen' I Passenger Agent. Portsmouth, Ua., printed by the Everett Waddey Company, richmond, va. SEABOARD AIR LINE. General Passenger Depar tment. FREE TRANSPORTATION OF BICYCLES. "eORRECTED" CIRCULAR A— 1138. Superseding Circular A— 1132 and Circular Letter of March 31st, in reference to Circular A — 1132 regarding handling bicycles in baggage cars. Portsmouth, Ya,, April 1st, 1897. To Agents, Baggage Masters, Conductors and Connecting Lines: Taking effect at once, this Company will transport bicycles over its LINES free of charge, when accompanied by passengers presenting regular passage tickets or passes. Owners must sign release Form B. D 42, and " T. B. C.'' check Form B. D. 43, agreeing to hold this Company harmless against loss or damage while bicycles are in transit. One bicycle, only, will be checked and transported free for each passenger holding proper transportation, and forwarded on first train on which it can be conveniently carried. All employees of the Baggage Department are cau- tioned to handle them with all possible care at all times. They are of delicate and fragile construction, and every precaution must be taken for their safe handling. Agents will return to this office by first train all bicycle checks now on hand, and should tag bicycles until new bicycle checks reach you, which will be within a few days. T. J. Anderson, H. W. B. Glover, Oen. Pass. Agent. Traffic Manager. SEABOARD AIR LINE. J. C. C. No 241. Post Two Coynes. General Passenger Department. CIECULAR No. A. 1455. Huntsman's Rates and Transportation of Huntsman's Dogs ; Season 1897-8. Portsmouth, Va., October 22, 1897. To all Agents: Commencing November 1st, 1897, and until further advised, you will please issue, upon application of Huntsmen, tickets at rate of two and one-half cents per mile travelled between any points on this system. These rates to apply only to bona fide Huntsmen with dogs and gun. In every case endorse contract and coupons of ticket " HUNTSMAN." The following rule will govern the transportation of dogs for the coming season. Only one dog to each passenger will be transported free in baggage cars of this Company when accompanied by owner, and carried at owner's risk. Additional dogs will be charged for at rate of one-half cent per mile ; for a distance less than fifty miles, twenty-five cents each. Dogs in crates will be charged for at regular excess baggage rates, except that if two or more dogs are in crates a credit will be allowed for one dog per passenger, on basis of one-half cent per mile, minimum twenty-five cents as above. This authority effective November 1st, 1897, to March 31st, 1898, inclusive. T. J. Anderson, H. W. B Glover, Gen. Pass. Agent. Traffic Manager. FUN AND FROLIC AT THE WANDERER'S RE=UNION HELD AT PINEY WOODS INN, IN SOUTHERN PINES. A Pleasant Social Gathering Enlivened by Out=of=Door Sports, A summons to former settlers in A^irginia and the .Carolinas to meet each other for interchanges of friendly sentiment and a good time generally at Piney Woods Inn, in Southern Pines, on the 22nd and 23rd of last month, resulted in the convocation of a considerably larger crowd than was anticipated. It was holiday week, and many for that reason were deterred from coming, preferring to remain at home with their families, entertaining visitors or being entertained as guests. The states named were numerously represented by men of note and influence, many of whom brought the.r wives and daughters with them, while the Seaboard Air Line contingent contributed their efforts, as usual, to make the occasion a memorable success. Both days were of the halcyon sort, brighu, cheerful sunshine, cloudless skies, and gentle, cool, invigorating breezes, that acted as a vitalizing tonic, and were a luxury to breathe into the lungs in long and copious drafts. Overcoats, and capes for the ladies, were worn more as a matter of custom than necessity. "How delightful!" was the general remark, and some visitors from the North could not refrain from instituting frequent contrasts between the weather here and the inclemency, snow, and sleet they had left only a few days' journey behind. Here in midwinter we were enjoy- ing the " ethereal mildness " of early spring in the open air, while our friends north were closely housed and shivering over red hot stoves, vainly striving to keep warm. It seemed so strange, so wonderful, that life at such a season of the year could be so pleasant, so enjoyable, so exhilarating. The charmingly equipped parlors of the hotel were practically deserted. Occasional notes were struck on the grand piano, but soon ceased, for there 383522 SEABOARV AIR LINK. was no one to listen. The click of billiard balls was sometimes heard, but intermittently, for the game did not arouse special interest, even among those most addicted to its practice. But the wide corridors and open verandas were more or less filled morning and evening with ladies and gen- men, single or in groups, walking about, chatting, exchanging salutations, making pleasant acquaintances, and renewing old time friendships. The programme of amusements devised, perfected, and patented by Jno- HURDLK FOOT RACE. SOUTHERN SPORTS AT PINEY WOODS INN. SEABOARD AIR LINE. T. Patrick was so divided as to afford entertainment for the forenoon, after- noon, and evening of each day. They hardly paralleled the famous Olym- pic Games," but were well adapted to demonstrate the muscular energy and versatility of Greeks of African descent. They were performed by natives who wore no special uniforms, nor badges, nor medals — the insignia of former victories — but were attired just as they came from the field or cabin, in their every-day clothes, picturesque with patches and furnishings, in rents and frills, deplorable evidences of wear and tear. But, for the time being, they were the "observed of all observers;" the glow of com- petition blazed from their eyes, and a desperate resolve "to do or die in the attempt ' ' keyed up their nerves and strained their muscles to their utmost tension. The effects of climate and outdoor labor could be plainly seen in 8 WINTER RESORTS. their massive chests and the brawn and sinew of their legs and arms. No whites participated except in the "Tournament," where a few boys made successive and disastrous attempts at a brisk walk to spear with slender reeds a series of small brass rings swung by threads from posts placed at intervals of about twenty feet. The arena of exploit w^as well located in the beautiful level park south of and adjoining Piney Woods Inn. To the right from the Inn a large tent had been erected, which had seen service in some of Patrick's provincial exhibitions of North Carolina resources, universally conceded to be "the greatest shows on earth." Flags and streamers floated from ropes, wires and poles in every direction. In the broad avenue benches had been arranged for spectators who were restrained by an improvised wire fence from tres- passing on the grounds reserved for games, or interfering with the contes- tants for prizes. The latter were of ridiculously small value, but the negro doesn't have the chance every day to shine before "quality folks," and when it comes to him, he hankers after glory as he hungers for 'possum and sweet potatoes. Rations and an extra quarter are something to him, but hard earned fame is worth a great deal more. Before and between the exercises, there was considerable target practice with an air rifle, the indulgence in which cost the investment of many nickels and the loss of much temper. The delusion and fraud of knife throwing also counted its scores of victims, the cutlery being so inclined from the perpendicular that it was next to an impossibility to ring tlie mark aimed at. But everybody u as good natured. TUG OF U AR. SorXHERN SPORTS AT PINEY WOODS INN. SEAiiOAEi) AIR LINE, SEABOARD AIR LIXE. 9 and hilarity and liappiness abl.. SOUTHERX SPORTS AT PIXET WOODS IN'X. SEABOARD AIR LIXE. "AValking the Pole" was a trying and dilficult feat. After repeated failures a resolute white boy nerves of steel that no shoius nor raillery could disturb, accompilished the task. •"Chasing the Greased Pig" stirred his colored j)urstiers to a frenzy of excitement. That pig was badly wanted, individually and collectively, and assiduously followed up. He was young and nimble, however, an artful dodger, and cunning as a fox. He was liere, there and everywhere, behind trees, under bushes, crouching in the wire grass, vainly reS'jrting to every available means of escape. Xo grasp was strong enough to lnjld him. EroAt, erainpit, eludit, as the Latin poet said. One darky, luckier than tlie rest, at last succeeded in capturing him, 10 WINTER RESORTS. by falling on him, sprawling all over him and surrounding him with his stalwart arms. He was a fat as well as knowing pig, and as a prospective roast well worth the catching. No little skill (the result of long experience) was manifested in "The Wheelbarrow Race." The exasperating bother of this run was the narrow plank with a steep incline on either side which had to be fairly crossed at full speed going and returning, or no count. The perplexing jam of wheels and vehicles at this critical competitive stage of the struggle is faithfully repro- duced by our artist's Kodak. Repeated trials were necessary to establish beyond peradventure the claims of the victor in this contest, which was as much a test of judgment and cool calculation as of speed. ''The Tug of War" was a comparative trial of strength and avoirdupois. The heavy weights as a matter of course succeeded in dragging the opposing force over the boundary line. The "Chase of the Rooster" was not so ex- citing as that of the pig. He was soon run down and brought in. "The Bag Race" was a very comical affair. It was hardly possible for a darky, swathed in burlap from head to foot, to walk a step without toppling down and rolling over, and an occasional confused heap of animate bags presented an excruciatingly ludicrous spectacle. Those who covered any ground at all resorted to successive leaps like those of a frog, though such efforts were ac- companied by many a tumble headforemost in the sand. 11 ^^^^ 1 i 1 WALKING THE POLE. SOUTHERN SPORTS AT PINEY WOODS INN. SEABOARD AIR LINK. SF.AB(JARD AIR LIXE. 11 " The Cracker ■■ episode was another funny feature. Shon Hues with a soda cracker attached to each were hung from a wire stretched across. A man was placed under each cracker, his allotted task being to reach, up and devour his rations, without t^ 'uching it with his hands or permitting a piece to fall to the ground. Some mouths were capacious enough to take in the whole cracker at a gulp. Othei-s did not fare so well. The biggest and most flexible mouth secured the prize. WHEELBAREOVr RACE. SOUTHERN SPORTS AT PINEY WOODS lyX, SEABOARD AIR LIXE. One of the best contested games was the " Hurdle Eace.'- The runners had tij surmount in succession three hurdles, each about fifteen feet high, and consisting of four boards nailed to opposite posts, repeating the per- frmnance on the return from the goal to the starting point. So close was the contest that several trials resulted before the palm could be awarded to the right pany. The desperate scramble for position when climbing the hurdle fences involved mingling of legs, anns and feet that evoked roars of laughter from lookers-on. Our picture of this scene is true to life, and quite as natural. There were other ''spoits" of lesser note, such as '"Climbing the Greased Pole."' which no one attempted to do. and mouth-fishing for potatoes in a tub half full of water, feet and fingers baiTed. The evening enteitainment was perhaps the most varied and interesting of all. It was given in the large tent, where a platform of loose boards had l3een erected for the colored performers, the audience occupying rows of 12 WINTER RESORTS. chairs and benches in front. It was so poorly Ughted that those present had to rely upon the sense of feeling and hearing rather than sight. The first number on the programme was an overture from the grand orchestra. This was a kind of flute ohligato emphasized by sharp notes from the horn inter- spersed with squeaks from the rat tethered in the violin and grunts of acqui- escence from the contrabasso. And yet it wasn't such very bad music, either. We have heard worse in more pretentious places. The songs which followed were sung with expression and feeling. "My BAG HANDICAPPED RACE. SOUTHERN SPORTS AT PINEY WOODS INN. SEABOARD AIR I.INE. Old Kentucky Home " touched the sympathies of listeners with a thrilling pathos. Although the voices were almost wholly lacking in culture, accu- racy or unison, the soul of music was there. The execution of jig dancing that succeeded was really marvelous. No saltatory artist at a minstrel show could have done better. It was the alert banjo, with patting of hands, that now ' ' put life and metal in their heels. ' ' The quick toe and hob nailed shoes never omitted the slightest "punk" of the strings. It was a clean cut, well sustained performance. One of the list (conceded to be the cham- pion dancer) kept it up so long and continuously that it seemed as if he never would stop. In musical parlance, it was first an andante movement ; then came the scherzo, sostenuto, crescendo, accelerando, f arioso, the grand _^?ia?e reminding one of a picture of fighting black cats revolving so rapidly that nothing but a ;SEABOABD AIR LINE. whirl of teeth, clawg, hair and hide is visible. Indeed, no one could tell from the sound if the performer was on his head or heels, or both, at the same time. A few more dances and songs (the "cake walk" being omitted) and the audience dispersed to their homes in town and the Piney Woods Inn, which latter, as usual, catered to the perfect satisfaction of its numerous guests. One might apply to these " Southern Sports " what was said of the famous John Gilpin : "And when he next doth ride abroad May we be there to see." OKCHESTRAL QUARTET TF. MUSIC MAKI <