Virginia Free Press

The Editorial Excursionists.

The "Association of Maryland Editors," composed of Messrs. George W. Wilson, Marlboro' Gazette; George Colton, Annapolis Republican; S. Sands Mills, Maryland Farmer (member of the First Branch Baltimore City Council); Charles Cole, Maryland Union, Frederick City; J. W. Baughman, Republican Citizen, Frederick City; Charles H. Keefer, Examiner, Frederick City; W. H. Vanderford, Westminster Advocate; George W. Cruikshank, Cecil Democrat; E. E. Ewing, Cecil Whig; W. W. Busteed, Centreville Observer, J. D. Waters, Harford Democrat; Dr. Charles E. Tarr, Denton Journal; B. Everett Smith, Worcester Shield; Joseph H. Johnson, Dorchester News; E. Wells, Port Tobacco Times, Charles A. Conner, Union, Towson town; B. H. Richardson, Baltimore Sun; W. H. Lowerdermilk, Cumberland Civilian; Robert Wasson, Hagerstown Mail; John A. Murray, Cumberland Times; W. H. Ruby, Towson town Journal, left Baltimore, on Friday morning last in special cars provided by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, for an excursion along the line of the road as far as Winchester.

It was the pleasure of the Senior of the "Old Family Journal" to join the excursionists, and we are sure that a recollection of the many bon mots fired off by the editorial corps will be fresh with us until life's fitful fever is o'er. The party represented the dignity, the intelligence, the power and the wit of the Press of Maryland truly and in an eminent degree. They were good fellows too—a more jolly set it has not been our fortune to meet. We hope they will come again.

The excursionists visited Winchester, viewed points of interest in the historic town, were the guests of the excellent host, J. P. Hieronymous, Esq., of the Taylor Hotel, and very agreeably entertained by Maj. Hunter of the Times, Rev. Mr. Avirett of the Bunbar Female Institute, &c., on Saturday. In the afternoon they repaired to Jordan's Springs upon invitation of the hospitable proprietor of that delightful and popular resort, E. C. Jordan, Esq. We must say that our long-time friend dispensed his hospitalities liberally and handsomely—contributing to the comfort and pleasure of his guests in a hundred ways. The editorial corps remained with him until Monday, when they hitched on to the train of Capt. Barley and went on their homeward way rejoicing over the indisputable fact that 'Jordan's is not a hard road to travel.'

We would not fail in thus very hurried and incomplete sketch to make special mention of the graceful and courteous attentions of Edward Potts, Esq., the representative, on the occasion, of the B. & O. R. R. Co., and himself a disciple of Faust—one who had learned and can appreciate the "art preservative of arts."

Invitation by L. F. Fry, Esq., of the Sappington Hotel in this place to partake of the hospitalities of his house, was declined only by reason of a lack of time, this was a source of regret to us knowing, as we did that preparation for a most bountiful repast had been made, besides, our town presents some objects of interest to the stranger that would have been enjoyed, we are sure, by our editorial brethren.

Messrs. Waters, Johnson, Vanderford, Bus. (good and Conner made our acquaintance brief visit, but did not tarry long enough for even a "last plate of soup." I thank them, however, for so much of their presence and extend to them a hearty welcome whenever they may be convenient to visit us.