Page 62

[110]

On April 10th, 1888 I started on
my journey southward. It was a cold, wet
and dreary morning that I work, dressed ate
my breakfast, bid all hands good by, only
kissed one, my mother - precious name,
and started off on the ride in the stage to
Laurel. Admiral and Mrs Jouett were in
the stage as well as Mr [O.? Q.?] B. Wetherald my
late employer who was on his way to Baltimore
to buy goods. Admiral and I rode into
Washington to-gether, he showed me what
car to take to the Virginia Middling depot, he
kinly paid my car fare and wishing me
success he gave me a good solid shake
of the hand and he vanished in the rain
and mist to take to his work in the Navy
Department.

Arriving at the railroad depot about ten
thirty o'clock I hunted up my baggage
and after buying a ticket for Atlanta
Ga I checked my trunk and sat
down to wait the starting of the train. Punctually
at 11-24 am I started south on the
Virginia Middling, and crossing the Potomac
the city of Alexandria was entered, it is an
old time town, containing a large number
of poorly built houses and ocmbined with