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VOL. XIX. T H v—: ID STORY Of Beautiful Toccoa Con¬ tinued From Last Year. HER GROWTH. HER PROSPERITY, THE ENTERPRISE AND PUSH OF HER BUSINESS MEN, We herewith issue the third trade edition of the News, giving informa¬ tion about Toccoa, its location, cli¬ mate, health, schools, churches, the business men and the advantages for investment in the city and country around. Toccoa is yet in her teens. In 1873 where the city now stands Was a wild forest. About that time the Richmond & Danville railroad reached here from Atlanta, • Dr. (). M. Doyle, B. Y. Sage and Thomas Alexander bought of Archer Whitehead the lands or which the city now stands; they subdivided it into lots, streets and parks; the rail¬ way company established the depot here; people came and bought lots, built houses, hotels, schools and churches, and soon the wild woods gave place to an attractive, busy city of about 1,500 people. Since the last trade edition of the News, Toccoa has made considerable advancement on the high road of progress and prosperity. A hank has been established on a solid, substantial basis, greatly in¬ creasing the facilities for tlie business, not only of all our citizens but also fur a wide country around. A lar^e tannery has been fully ea- tablished; also a furniture factory, g virg e m 1 o ni 'Mt to a large number of operatives ami adding many thou- Bands of dollars to the business. A large number c.t residences have been erected, indicating an increase in population and general business prosperity. ijgS SP 1 ' Xi ul f wmm m m 1 tils = 5 N IB I tiff! °C || [me .T m V; ; METHODIST CHURCH. Last, but not least* action has been taken to establish graded city schools ra a king them free to the children of every citizen. Toccoa is in the Northeastern part of Georgia, the empire state of the South. It is in Habersham county,of which oflieial records show a lower death THE TOCCOA NEWS AND PIEDMONT INDUSTRIAL JOURNAL. TOCCOA, HABERSHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA, AUGUST ratio than any other county in the United States. It is in the heart of the Piedmont region, «* region containing a *'ider range of valuable resources than any other territory of equal extent in the United States, and is destined to be the richest country on the globe. It is on the Richmond & Danville railroad, which extends from Wash* ington, D. C. to New Orleans, La. Anot her road starts from this City and runs southeast 50 miles to Elber¬ ton, where it connects with the Geor¬ gia, Carolina and Northern; so 'that Toccoa has close lailroad connections with all the great railway systems of the whole country. Toccoa is 3 hours hy railroad from Atlanta, 19 from Washington, D. C. 22 from Philadelphia, 20 from Now York, 34 from Boston, 9 from Chat¬ tanooga, 15 from Nashville, 23 from New Orleans, 15 from Savannah, 10 from Jacksonville, and 10 from Pu- latka, Fla. Toccoa is therefore within a few hours of the great market centers for manufactured and farm products. Toccoa contains three churches for the white population, Baptist, Meth¬ odist and Presbyterian, each having comfortable edifices; two colored, Methodist and Baptist. There are ten churches in the country round within a radii of seven miles from the city ; strangers coming here will find a church going community. The following description of Toc¬ coa was written by a talented young lady of this eitv. “This beautiful and enterprising little , town . was founded - , , in . August , . 1873, I think, under the entices of the Richmond & Danville R. R. It lies on this railroad 93 miles from Atlanta. It occupies the locality near the 35th parallel of the North Lati- tude.and about the 83d of West Lon- gitude; It has an elevation of about eleven hundred feet above the | free level* from The the climate enervating is mill. influences It of is I I the lower sections, and escapes the rigorous winters of more northern latitudes. The summers are never oppressive¬ ly warm, and at night there is a mos* delightful and refreshing breeze cons stantly blowing. The winters are neither long nor severe. As a proof of tlie healthfulness of this elimate, I will state that only one " hite adult was interred in the city cemetery during a period of fourteen months, and perhaps not more than two infant 0 . The principal portion of the city lies in a litt'e vale, for in each direc¬ tion rise considerable hills. On each of these eminences* are magnifi¬ cent building sites. So rapid was the growth of the town, that, for a few years it was called the “Magic City of the Woods.” The citizens are a sober, energetic law-abiding class of people. The pulpit, the law and the medical pro¬ fessions are ably represented. New industries are constantly springing up, and attract many work ing people, who, being well paid, are prosperous and happy. Not a pauper lives within the city's limits. In fact, Habersham eonnty, in which Toccoa is sitnati d, has no par ah house. A few, and very few, objects of charity ae amply provided for by the e’tiz ms. Toccoa has three churches* Presby¬ terian, Methodist and Baptist; the church buildings are very pretty,nice¬ ly and comfortably furnished. The churches and Sabbath Schools are well attended by orderly, and well dresse 1 congregations. L*' ' V f N *M h'M JL Nn lumb! -rt TOCCOA ELO i -SM'iBEFTrr Im IlliM ' Y m •iiy *'X- pi ui SU*, Hu ra m it -A - X;- - vr- t lin V ' Ut AY-'* i j, ;' fj Nv A *t> (ut u i . ' ‘*1 * - TOCCOA FURNITURE FACTORY. The cemetery is a half mile distant and there, m the “Silent City of the Dead,” lie ihe fathers, mothers, and loved ones who once walked in and out before us. The Toccoa High School, and also the private schools are under the management of very efficient teach¬ ers, aud are well patronized.- The streets are wide, aud cleanly Kep'; Doyle street runs through the city directly east and west, and forms a lovely drive or promenade for the young people. The Rail Road Park* near the de¬ pot is a large, fine lot, and may, in the near future, be the location of a fine hotel. Almost every cottage yard has its vines and flowers. The taste of the ladies is evinced by their lovely flow¬ er gardens. One and three quarter tniles dis¬ tant is Toccoa Fs»lls, considered by many tourists the most beautiful cas¬ cade in the world. Far to the North lies the Blue Ridge. In fine weather, it is a beau¬ tiful line, stretching away* clear and blue, and when that line is covered with snow, it seems that the Divine Artist had just laid by His brush, and left uncovered the canvas for our be¬ wildered eyes. Over there, four miles away, stands Mt. Currahee, grand and solitary. Six miles distant runs Tugalo riv¬ er, the boundary line line between J s Georgia and South Carolina, It i ri,es * wa r “P ,he S on as Tu -'“ lo l f,rther dow, ’' A nn,t “ w,th the Broad,and finally these little mounta i n streams merge into the Sa- vannah, and on the waters rush to tUe Atlantic. To say Toccoa is a beautiful city is superfluous. Its very name' sig- nifies “The Beautiful ” and then it is “mv ' own, my native lan 1.” ‘‘Hove my mountain home. \> here wild winds Jove to roam, Where the skies are blue And hearts are true— i love my mountain home.” Pinkie II.vums. TOCCOA FURNITURE AND LUMREli CO. This is an incorporated company with an authorized capital of $50,000. It was organized ui 1890 an l started business with $15,000; which has been increased to $20 000 paid in. 7 he following are tlie officers and superintendents of the ditferent de¬ partments : J. B. Simmoiis, President and Gen¬ eral Manager. W . R. Ware Vice-President. E. P. Simpson; Secretary ami Treasurer, J . A, Burgess, Book Keeper, B. C Moore, Foreman of machinery ind Cabinet Department. C. B. Mitcham, Foreman of Finish¬ ing department; IP. J. Suttles J/anager of Lumber department. The Company owns ten and one half acres of land inside the city limits. It Is situated between the Richmond and Danville railroad and the Elberton Air Line road : a side track extends in front of tlie build¬ ings so that the facilities for ship¬ ments are all that can be desired. There are three large buildings covering 40,000 square feet of floor¬ ing, besides engine house and other small buildings,also several dwellings for emp’oves. The plant includes all the latest improved machinery for turning out the finest an 1 best wo'-k, the whole is run by a 60 horse power e >'inn. They manufacture tlie cheap and medium grades of furniture such as bureaus, bed steads, full bed room suits, kitchen safes and coffins* and they likewise furnish to order dressed flooring,ceiling and weather boarding. This factory lias been funning about a year* and from the start it has been a grand success. The demands for their goods were such that they had to put in a larger engine and en- large their capacity. Already their trade extends over Georgia, South Carolina, North Car¬ olina, and into Virginia; a $2,000 or¬ der has recently been received from Lynchburg. One reason for this unprecedented demand is, they turn out first class goods* and tliev also possess important advantages over compet¬ ing cities*. They obtained their land at a trifle, compared to what it costs in large cities ;lwmber costs here from $2 to $3 per thou sail 1 less ; labor, on account of low rents and low expense of living, costs from 10 lo 20 percent, less than m larger cities ; then tiie£ have obtained a reduction in freight rates, thus enabling them to seil ele¬ gantly finished goods at largely re¬ duced prices. Mr, Simmons has been traveling for 60 days and lie finds dealers every¬ where pleased with the goods and the prices. Tliev have two salesmen on the road, and they evidently will soon have to enlarge their capacity for manufacturing in order to meet the increasing demands. They are work¬ ing from 40 to 50 hands; the full ca¬ pacity of the present plant is about §100,000 worth of furniture annually. TOCCOA TANNERY. This is one of the best equipped tan- n(jries of its aize in tl , e South . The property embraces 23 acres of land* seven buildings for tanning pur- poses, and five tenant houses; the best and latest improved machinery, and j modern appliances for a first class ! tannery. The owners of this fine property are A. * T II. r IcAHister and \\ A. . . Mathcson, who have taken in as part- n er. W. C. Allen a skilled and expe- riciteed tanner. W. A. Mathcson is the general manager, attending to all the business of buying and selling. S A.McAllister is the hook W. d. Allen is superintendent of tanning in all departments. They turn out various kinds of leather of superior quality} including harness and sole leather which finds realy sale in Georgia nn 1 South Car¬ olina. They itsd principal!}' ebv slaughter hides which makes their leather a high average of excellence. They get their bark near home sav¬ ing large expense in freight, giving them deci led advantages over those who have to ship bark long distances. The output of tins tannery is about 10,000 pieces annually , or 120,000 pounds of leather worth about $35,000, Planing mill . T. S. Davis has a plaining mill sup¬ plied with all kinds of machinery for house finishing work of every de¬ scription, such as mouldings, brack¬ ets, mantles, stair work, sash, doors and blinds, anything needed for the exterior or interior finishing or orna¬ mentation of a house can be manu¬ factured here. This mill has a ca- pacitv to give steady employment 'to 20 men. There is in connection a mill for grinding corn meal, also a cob mill capable of turning out 40 bushels an hour. MEltO IANDISE, The* aggregate of merchandise sold in Toccoa is large, this being the center of tra le over a wide territory embracing portions of Habersham, Franklin, Banks and Rabun counties, Ga. an 1 Oconee Co. S, C. Prominent among the merchants doing business here are the following: T. A. CAPPS Carries a large stock of general Merchandise, he handles furniture, stoves and sewing machines. The sales reached tlie past 12 months about $15,000. Mr. (Japps has a branch store in Mb Airy under the firm name of Capps and Kimsey.A.L.Kimsey being manager of the store there ; the annu¬ al sales are about $8,000. W. A. MATIIESON. This gentleman does a very sub¬ stantia!, safe business. In addition to general merchandise, he makes a specialty of hardware of all kinds in¬ cluding cooking stoves; also carriage and wagon materials, spokes, rims and hubs; also sash, doors* blinds, coffins, and lie carries large lines of auction fancy and dress goods, which he sells much below the regular prices. His sales are something over $15,000 a year. J. I?_ SIMMONS & CO. Tlie gentlemen composing this firm are J. B. Simmons, B. P. Brown jr. and W. R. Bur.oughs. Last year Mr. Simmons fan the business him*' self;the first of the year the other gen- tlcra became members of tlie firm. They deal in general merchandise of all kinds and make a specialty of rurn ; tur0 am | co ffi„ sl including mattresses and stoves which they sell at low figures, and on the installment plan to any desiring to purchase that way. They also handle fertilizers, hay and cotton. Last year Mr. Simmons sold$40,00t worth of general merchandise; HO tons of fertilizers worth $3,000; 5 car loads of hay for $2,500. He bought $5,000 worth of cotton, m ik ng a to¬ tal of his business for the year $50*500. In addition, his time was largely occupied with the Furniture Factory. This year the firm has added the shin¬ gle trade to their business,and bought thus far 2,270.000 worth about $4,500- HARNESS AND SADDLERY. I\. Bryant and W. C. Simpson, un- JlllpiSiJi sfeg.fgsr.r~s :—^ . BBS vmm m A3 m Y. - PUL Emmm" I li 4§PSi^ j m * lIHUfliWlI M- tiiipi . . E. P. SIMPSON’S STORE. dor the firm name of Bryant & Simp¬ son manufacture harness and saddles from the heavy draft, up to tlie finest carnage harness. They also deal in saddles , collars, whips, and all kin Is of harness and saddlery goods. They keep in their employ R. Green, well known as a superior workman, and they turn out only first class goods. Their work is chiefly custom, and their business amount? to about $5,000 a year. C. W. NOWELL. Since the last trade issue of the News Mr. Nowell dissolved partner¬ ship with lus brother and has been doing business by liintself. In his .stock of general merchandise he in- dudes almost everything needed in 'lie family, in dry goods, groceries provisions. lie handies hay ami has sold about, 30 tons or $7o0 worth. His sales during the year amounted to’ about $15,000. J. r, VICKERY; 'I his gentleman! is the successor of l). \Y. Edwards. He carries a gener¬ al assortment of fancy groceries, in¬ cluding canned goods, confectioner¬ ies, tobacco arid cigars. His store is also headquarters for cooling drinks, and is general resort for young people and nearly all citizens during the sultry summer days. Ho has been in business here only 2 months, wsm «| HiPS 73 1 1 3 ^ .1 331 M rot-'' iStU ! 1 i i all i ,i . ..in * 1 hi SCHAEFER’S COUION WAREHOUSE. judging from this experience he es- mates his annual sales will he from $4*000 to $5,000. u. payne deals in dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes, groceries cf all kinds,fruit, butter, eggs, poultry arid garden veg- enables; he also handles lumber and furnishes ties and timber for railroads. Durinw the past year he has added ... brick making - . i*i- lus business, * l having • 0 to . superior clay, which makes excellent ■ r brick. , __ He | has already , . . ma e ->o , brick and will soon burn a kiln can- tabling 175,090 more. This is an important enterprise for this city and surrounding country, which he can supply with first class brick without having heavy freight bills to pay .Mr, Payne’s business the past year is a large increase over former years, reaching the large sum of $50,000. ALLIANCE STORE. This is a Joint Stock Co. composed of AlPancemen. The price of each share is $5; the amount of stock paid ■" _ is 111 llle neighborhood of §_,<XHh n/\i On this capital they have been doing business for some timej when they first 1,9 b ran h«s»ness the capital was not so large. Last year the store was ably and carefully managed by G. P Fuller. Ibis year under the a < management of J. \\ . Mott, assisted NUMBER by I'). N. Edmonds, the business hag steadily increased. By taking the sales of January, March and July of this voar as samples Mr. Stott esti¬ mates that the sales for the year will be not less tnan $15,000. The offic of the compatiy'are: G. F. Fuller, President. \V. A. Landrum, Vice-President. S. J. Busha, Secretary and Treas* urer. e. F. SIMPSON deals in machinery of many kinds,in¬ cluding portable and traction engines, saw mills, shingle mills, syrup mills and evaporators, rakes, mowers and reapers; lie furnishes machinery sup¬ plies. and repairs all kinds of ma¬ chinery,he also sells sewing machines and organs. In addition he does gen¬ eral insurance business, being agent for some ot the best life and fire iii- surance companies. His sales the past year were larger than those of any previous year since he began business. II is business extends over a large territory in Georgia, North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia, lie sold last year more than twenty mill¬ ions of shingles aggregating some¬ thing over $40,000. His] other sales, including repairing, amounted In $50,600, making a grand total during the year of $90,600, winch places Mr. Simpson in the front ran s of the business men of North East Georgia; except cotton buyers, the annual bus¬ iness of but few merchants reaches the above figures, lie has admitted his brother, D. J. Simpson, as part¬ ner, and the firm now is E. U. Simp¬ son c}- Co. SCHOOLS. At the present time there is apuh- fic high school in which the elemeu- tary and and higher English branch- es and Languages are taught,and stu¬ dents are fitted for college. In addi¬ tion there are several private schools affording good facilities for education, There is also a music school where thorough instruction in vocal and in„ Yii: icii.al music is given. A bill is new before the Le-i-latuie to iueor- a ^«tcm of free city schools, which it is expected will be put in ‘/pci 1 titioii by J tliG 1st of January J 1802* HOTELS, There are two hotels ^ , where , travelers find good accommodations a i 1( j good fare; the SIMPSON HOUSE lias been enlarg d and fitted up in first class style. It contains a largo number of rooms hand omely fur¬ nished; it is one of tlie most aomfort- able and attractive hotels in the state. THE MAULDIN IlOUSE is exceedingly popular with farmers; the low prices with abundant sub¬ stantial fare, and the genial hospital¬ ity of‘Uncle Alec” and lus kind hearted lady, give to this hotel wide' popularity and large patronage. r TOCCOA HOUSE. Mrs. Henderson keeps this hotel mainlv for permanent boarders. Hotels and boarding houses for summer tourists and visitors ar«T greatly needed; many people every year desire to spend the summer hertf j but are unable ahons. to do so for want ot (continued on 2nd PAGE*)