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Excerpts from Souvenir

Submitted by David M. Waid 

JOTTINGS BY THE WAY.

VISIT TO ISLAND HOME FARM, EAST TENNESSEE,

OCTOBER, 1883.

"When a man travels, he mustn't look queer

If he meets with some things he doesn't meet here."

                        Old Rhyme.

         In the Knoxville (Tenn.) Tribune I find the following:  "The finest farm in all the Southern States is 'Island Home,' about a mile from Knoxville, and owned by Hon. Perez Dickinson."  One of the most pleasant and lasting impressions made on my memory while in Knoxville, in October, 1883, was my visit, in company with Col. Dickinson himself and my son Frank, to this far-famed farm, which has more than a national reputation.

My son being acquainted with Col. Dickinson, whom we met by accident on Gay Street, Knoxville, introduced me to him, and it was then arranged that we should drive to "Island Home" as soon as the Colonel (who wanted to get shaved) was ready--"in about twenty minutes."  During this interval, as we were near Col. C. W. Charlton's office, we called on him (my first acquaintance with him), and I will say our delightfully interesting conversation not only served to enhance the esteem and love I already entertained for the gentleman, on account of kindness he had shown to my son, but also caused me to forget for the moment my appointment with Col. Dickinson until reminded by Frank. Bidding Col. Charlton a hasty "adieu," we hastened to Col. Dickinson's store (for he is a merchant as well as a farmer), and there found him and his coachman, with double rig, awaiting us.  I apologized to the Colonel for our delay by saying, "I am sorry we detained you, but an apology will not redeem the time."  "No," replied he," but after this try and be more prompt."  This was a lesson to me, and coming from the source it did, I profited by it.  I thought to myself that a man who had made a large fortune, and was so kind and generous withal, should know how and when to give advice.

        After a drive over a pleasant road and across the Tennessee River, we arrived at the magnificent farm,

where we spent a few hours most enjoyably.  We were driven to nearly all the various points of interest on Island Home, and everything we saw bore evidence of care, neatness and prosperity.  The farm contains about 600 acres of highly cultivated land, 200 being an island, which is reached by bridges from the main farm, and this gives to it its name--"Island Home."

        From all I saw and heard I should say the statement referred to in the Knoxville Tribune correct, "the finest farm in the South," and to this I may be permitted to add that this model farm, and the far-famed generosity of its owner, have given him a national reputation which the citizens of Knoxville will ever cherish. 

TRIP TO LAKE CHAUTAUQUA AND OTHER PLACES,

AUGUST, 1886.

"There is nothing insignificant--nothing."  Bacon.

         Should the question be asked me if my youngest son Fred F. ever traveled with his grandparents, Ira C. and Elizabeth P. Waid, I can answer the question in this way:  When I was in my "teens" it was considered quite a trip to go out of the State, either to New York or Ohio; and even to-day there are many, both old and young, living in Pennsylvania, who were born there, and have never yet been outside of the State.  I myself, was in my "teens" before I ever crossed the State line.  Fred F.'s first trip of any note was in the fall of 1869, when my father, mother, wife, little Freddie and myself took a trip to Kinsman, Ohio, and vicinity, on a visit to Frank Sturgis and Justus Goodwill and family.  We also went down to the lake and rambled along the beach in search of curiosities, and gladness comes to me as I narrate this event.  Here we were a united family--grandparents, children and grandchildren.  My father was very fond of children, and in this respect, my elder brother, Lyman, as well as his son, Orlando, much resembled him.

        In the spring of 1863 or 1864, Uncle George Roudebush, my father and my (then) little boy Frank spent a pleasant day at Lake Chautauqua, fishing, with remarkably good luck.  Uncle George was considered a good fisherman, one of the best, I think, among my relatives.  My father enjoyed having some of his children with him, either on the farm or when he went from home, and in this attribute I may say I resemble him.

        On August 28, 1886, my wife and I, in company with Mr. and Mrs. Smith, took an excursion train at Meadville for Niagara Falls.  We had a delightful trip, visiting some points of interest at the Falls we had not before seen, among them the whirlpool, from the American side of the river.  Mr. and Mrs. Smith stopped off with us at Jamestown, N. Y., visiting our relatives, and spending one day along with Clara Mosier and Frank Simmons, on board the "Vincent," on Lake Chautauqua.  Leaving Jamestown in the morning, we landed at nearly all the towns along the lake, arriving about 11 A. M. at Mayville, where Mr. Simmons left us.  Clara, my wife and I returned to Chautauqua (the main point of interest), where we were soon joined by the other half of our party.  Our stay was brief there, but the sights, to those of us who had never been there before, were none the less interesting.  Some of our Meadville friends and other acquaintances returned to Jamestown, thankful for the opportunity of having enjoyed so much life in one day, and, as we take the street car for Mr. Simmons', pleasant memories go with us.

        On Tuesday, August 31, 1886, after passing the forenoon with our friends, Eliza and I returned by train to Meadville, there finding Mr. Smith’s two-horse rig waiting to convey us home, where we arrived safely, well repaid for our few days' absence.