Newspaper Page Text
VOL. 28
MURRAY COUNTY
IS THE BEST
County in North Georgia for
Production of All Farm
Supplies.
SOME FACTS POINTED OUT
Timber and Mineral Lands, Unlimited
Water Power and Everything
Needed to Make This an
Ideal Country.
Probably the richest county in
Georgia in farm lauds, timber,
minerals and water powers is
Murray county, bordering the
Tennessee line.
This, no doubt, is a startling
statement to even Georgians, yet
a true one. Until quite recently
Murray has been a secluded coun¬
ty, being surrounded on all sides
by mountain or bill counties and
never having had a railroad cross
or touch its borders until within
the last year and being entirely
out of the way of the traveling
public it has been thought by
most people to be like the other
northern counties, tilled with
mountains, with here and there
small valleys which could be
farmed. People in nearby coun¬
ties have for the last twenty
years been going to Texas and
other Western states to buy rich,
level lands and have in more re¬
cent years gone from two hundred
to three hundred miles into South
Georgia to get level lands, with¬
out regard to fertility, when just
beyond the mountains of Fannin
aud Gilmer counties in the coun¬
ty of Murray, within a stone’s
throw of these very people who
are going hundred of miles away
into hotter and less healthy cli¬
mates, lies thousands of acres of
the finest farm lands to be found
in any state.
The ‘fiat" lands in Murray
county, as they are called, ex
tend from the Tennessee line
some thirty miles south and are
from ten to fifteen miles ,n
width. Much of these lands are
rich bottom lands, as there are
t, >0 large rivers and numerous
large creeks through the county.
Most of the lands out from the
streams are a dark red or choco¬
late soil, very deep toil, with
stiff clay subsoil, probably the
richest lands known in the South.
The bottom lands, and also these
red lands, properly cultivated,
will produce from 40 to 75 bush¬
els of corn per acre without fer
tilizers. The average bottom
lands produce this now, but the
average upland does not because
It is not properly farmed. These
lands also grow as fine timothy,
herd grass, clovers, etc., as any
country will produce. The writer
recently saw in this county, a
forty-acre field of herd grass
higher than the waist for second
cutting. It is easy to grow a bale
of cotton per acre.
Another great advantage this
county has over many other sec¬
tions where level lands are farm¬
ed, are the never-failing streams
of water and fine springs in the
county.
There are quite a number of
noted mineral springs as health
resorts and others yet undevel¬
oped.
The healthfulness of this sec¬
tion is also noteworthy, being in
the mountain section, with an
altitude of 1,000 feet above sea
level and while almost level, is
yet rolling enough to run off sur¬
face water. It has as good a
health record as any county in
North Georgia.
The county is settled by a stur¬
dy class of honorable and upright
white people, there being very
few negroes in the county.
Churches and school houses are
conveniently located throughout
the county. mules
There are probably more
THE MURRAY NEWS
SPRING PLACE, MURRAY COUNTY, GEORGIA, SEPTEMBER i 4 , 1906.
and horses raised in this county
than any other in Georgia. Al¬
most every farmer raises from
one to a dozen colts a year.
Timber Lands in Murray County, Ga.
East of the fiat lands in this
county and extending into Gil¬
mer and Fannin counties are the
mountains, covered with.thou¬
sands of acres of timber such as
white and yellow pine, poplar,
hemlock, chestnut, gum and oak
and can be bought now at very
reasonable prices. It is practic¬
ally all virgin timber and a great
deal of it is from two to live
miles from the railroad. The
mountains are also rich with such
minerals us iron, copper, gold,
lead, talc, etc., etc.
Unimproved farm land in the
fiat lands can be bad under ten
dollars per acre; improved farm
lands at from ten to twenty dol¬
lars per acre. The mountain
lands, except mineral can be had
very cheap, and will more than
pay for themselves in timber.
Crate and Box Factory Needed.
There is unqustionably a splen¬
did opening here for a crate and
box factory, having both timber
and market for manufactured
products right here in Georgia.
Fruit growers ami other shippers
buy a lurge portion of their crates
and boxes in Northern markets,
when right here in Murray coun¬
ty, Georgia, there is thousands
of timber if manufactured would
supply the whole country.
The L. & N. railroad from Cin
einnati to Atlanta now traverses
this county from north to south,
a distance of twenty-five miles
Freight ami accommodation
trains are now running over this
road and it is expected that
through schedules will be put on
|,y 0f | )e f ore November 1st, so
now eve ry section of the
C()n| ^ y ; s j n ea8y rea eh of the
railroa(1 Lailds w m be sure to
j adv . ailCe ; n pr i^ e as new people
come j r , au( j take up the surplus
farms.
“Historical and Industrial.’’
Murray county was laid out
from Cherokee and organized in
1832. Its northern boundary is
the Tennessee line and the fine
fiat lands in tfiis county is a con¬
tinuation of tflb rich Tennessee
valley. The Goruiesauga river is
the western boundary and the
Coosawattee flows through the
southeastern part of the county
and into the Connesauga. The
Coosawattee is navigable most
of the year. These rivers with
their numerous tributaries fur¬
nish large water power ansi water
the county.
The “Georgia Historical and
Industrial” says of Murray
county : “The lands are fertile,
and has fine pasturage for sheep
and cattle. The average yield
of crops to the acre is, corn 25
bushels; oats 25; wheat85; Irish
potatoes 150; sweet potatoes 200;
cotton 600 lbs. Crab grass hay
3200; clover 4000.
This country is rich in miner
als. The Cohutta mountain
range crosses its eastern section
On these mountains profitable
mining has been done. The fig¬
ures given here are authentic as
compiled by the State Agricul¬
tural department in 1900. Since
then there has been improve¬
ments in fanning methods and
increase in the products
acre. Fine grasses, such as
timothy and herds are grown
perfection here and also alfalfa,
etc., are grown with success.
The grandest opportunities for
profitable investment are held
lout to monied men in Murray
for history repeats , itself •
county
to the man who has money
invest, for sureiy there can be
00 question as to estates that are
SUMACH
I will endeavor to give you the
news of the past week, as our
regular correspondent is absent
or sick.
School will begin here the 2nd
week in November, with Prof. J.
B. Anderson, Prin.; Miss Ilia
Henry and Mr. Cal McLain, as¬
sistants.
Dr. J. T. Henry, of North Su¬
mach, is seriously ill. We wish
for his speedy recovery.
Harris McEutire entered school
at Waleska, Ga., last week.
Misses Ina Henry, Etta Harris
and Maude McEutire are enrolled
pupils of Radnor college, Nash¬
ville, Tenn,, for 1906-07. The
president, corps of teachers and
200 students will spend four
weeks as tourists of the Eastern
states and will resume school
studies October 10th.
Miss Nellie Kiekett, one of Su¬
mach’s efficient teachers, is visit¬
ing her sister in Birmingham.
Mrs. Camp and children, of
Cohutta Springs, are spending a
few days with Mrs. F. W. Bond.
Miss Josie Waters is visiting
her sister Mrs. J. M. Gregory.
Mrs. James E. Wilson and
daughter, who have been visiting
friends and relatives in this
county, returned to their home
in Charlotte, N. C., last week.
James Bradford spent last Sat¬
urday and Sunday with home
folks here.
Elisha Bonds is confined to his
room with mumps.
Claud Henry, the 16-year-old
son of W. L. Henry, was buried
here the 3rd day of September.
Claud will be missed from our
Sabbath school. He was a bright,
energetic boy, and was loved by
all who knew him, He was sick
only a short time. The bereaved
have our sympathy.
There lias been a number of
our citizens buying and changing
land in our community.
J. B. Bonds has purchased 66
acres of J. B. Anderson’s farm.
Robert Shelton, of Cohutta
Springs, will move to Sumach
this fall, and will be in the dry
g iods business. We extend a
hearty welcome to Mr. Shelton
and family.
J, O. McEutire is having a
large barn erected on his farm
mar here, which willadd greatly
to the appearance of his place.
It is rumored that our es¬
teemed citizen, John Hayes, will
be one of the county board, and
if it is true we can say that lie
would serve the county well.
Mr. Barnes and son, of Appi
son, Tenn., are in Sumach now
looking out a locality,
Pkw Dkop.
Going Out of Business.
On the 20th of this month
(September) I am going who out of
business and all persons owe
me anything must come in and
make settlement at onee as I
want to get my business affairs
wound up by that date.
Be sure and attend to this for
I am not inclined to give any¬
body trouble.
Yours truly,
C. C. Coen.
The DeSoto Hotel, at Chatts¬
worth, hag its card in this issue.
This is a fine house just being
completed, and the management
is first class. We predict a
bright future for it,
now low in prices are bound to
appreciate in value, and farms
that, can be bought in Murray
Co. Ga., today at a very low
figure, will in a very short time
increase at least 25 to 50 per
cent in value. There can be no
risk in investing in Murray
county real estate, and in both
town, suburban and farm prop¬
erties are being offered by the
E. P. Green Real Estate Co., the
leading real estate dealers in
Murray county.
Any information concerning
the county can be had by
ing Mr. Gordon B. Gann,
WPfth, Murray Comity, Georgia,
PURELY LOCAL AND PERSONAL
J. N.n Halcombe, of Carters,
“was here yesterday.
Judge R. M. Gudger and wife
spent yesterday at Holly.
J. A. McGhee made a business
trip to Dalton yesterday.
E. N. Whitmire is visiting
relatives in South Carolina.
J. H. l'eeples is able to be out
again after a weeks’ sickness.
J. L. Robinson and wife are
happy parents of a fine baby girl.
Mrs. Townsend, of Atlanta, is
visiting relatives in Spring Place.
D. D. Dunn, of Marietta, is
spending the week in the county.
Miss Jennie Ward, of El Ii jay,
is visiting relatives in the city.
Charlie McEutire, of Audubon,
was in the city on business yes¬
terday.
Miss Lizzie Rouse is improving
slowly from a severe attack of
malarial fever.
Wyatt Wood passed through
the city Wednesday entente
home from Dalton.
The Baptist Association for
this district is in session at Mt.
Pisgah, near Rani hurt.
J. H. King has been spending
several days at Fairy, the guest
of W. I). Petty and wife.
Oliver Dickson, after has spending
his vacation at home return¬
ed to his studies at Waleska.
Rev. J. A. Seymour and wife
left Monday for Ringgold where
he will conduct a revival meet¬
ing.
Read the ad of Harlan, Neal
& Co. in this issue. They keep
anything in up-to-date gents
furnishings.
Miss Gertrude Ramsey, of
McGregor, Tex., is visiting rela¬
tives and friends in the city and
at Ram hurst.
J. L. Galt, of Ardmore, l. T.,
joined his family here last
Sunday and will visit among
relatives and friends for several
days. '
L. W. Thompson has an an¬
nouncement in this issue of the
arrival of his fall goods. Look
out next week for some knockout
prices.
Weston Williams and Miss
Alice Sane were married here
yesterday, Rev. Bovd officiating.
We wish them happiness and
good luck.
On account of the baptist re¬
vival being in progress Rev. K.
F. Simmons, of the Presbyterian
church, did not preach Sunday
as was announced.
Mrs. Elizabeth Young, of Gil¬
mer county, is visiting S. W.
Blassengame and family of
Spring Place, and D. A. Young
and family, of Holly.
When you land in Chattsworth
and want a rig to take a drive
inquire for Dunn Bros. Thev
have nice turnouts and are the
only liverymen there.
Bob Ellis, of Adairsville, is
spending a few days with rela
tives and friends in Murray.
Mr. Ellis is an old Murrayite and
his many friends are always glad
to see him.
The protracted meeting closed
Wednesday night after one of
the most successful revivals held
here in years. There were a
number of conversions, and sev¬
eral applications for member¬
ships.
The heaviest rain that has
fallen m Spring Place in several
years came Tuesday afternoon,
washing away almost all of the
bridges around Spring Place,
and ruining a number of tons
of hay and fodder for our citizens.
It is to be hoped that this flood
was the clearing up Bhower.
S. E. Garter, of Dalton, has an
ad in this issue of The News,
He is putting in one of the finest
lines of groceries ever seen in
Dalton and he says he will have
the finest grocery store in the
south. He wants your produce
as well as your cash trade and it
will be to your interest to see
him.
In .this issue of The News you
will notice the announcement
of J. 8, Parker as a candidate for
clerk of the superior court. Mr.
Parker is well known in Murray
county, where he has resided for
years and is a man of sterling
qualities. If elected, he will
make Murray county a good offi
j cer.
SEVEN MEET DEATH
IN AWFUL WRECK
RAWLINGS BOYS SENTENCED
Execution for Jesse and Milton,
Life in Pen for Leonard.
Valdosta. Ga., September 10.
—Milton, Jesse and Leonard
Rawlings appeared before Judge
Mitchell, of the superior court
today for the fourth time, and
had sentence passed upon them
for their alleged complicity in
the murder of the Carter chil¬
dren.
Milton and Jesse were sen¬
tenced to be hanged on the sec¬
ond day of October, and Leonard
was again sentenced to life im¬
prisonment.
When asked by the judge
whether they had anything to
say, why sentence should not
he pronounced upon them, Milton
and Jesse declined to say any¬
thing. Leonard only said that
he was not guilty of the crime
with which he was charged.
Alf Moore, the negro, convicted
of complicity in the murders, is
already under sentence of death,
to be executed on October 5.
The case of J. Gv Rawlings,
father of the boys, is now before
the United States supreme court
on an extraordinary motion for a
new r trial, and it is likely that
the boys and the negro Moore
will be again respited in the
event that the old man’s case is
not decided before the dates set
for their execution. It is stated
that Leonard Rawlings will be
taken to the penitentiary again
as soon as an order is received
here for his transfer.
Mrs.ty). F. Kettles Dead.
The many friends of Mrs. I).
F. Kettles, of Dalton, learn with
regret that she was buried here
last Sunday.
She was a good woman and
had many friends here. The
sympathy of the county goes out
to the bereaved relatives.
You will notice the ad of B.
0. McHan, of Ohattsworth, in
another column. Barney is a
good one to trade with and keeps
a general line of merchandise.
nature of the track conditions at
the point of collision indicates
that both trains were rolling
probably as fast as the wheels
would.turn, tor the two engines
met at the bottom of a “dip,”
each decline extending for quite
a distance. It is believed by
those who have seen the grades
that each train was running at a
terrific speed and this theory is
borne out by the frightful com¬
pact that resulted.
Northbound No. 8, with Engin¬
eer Clements at the throttle, is
blamed for the disaster.. It is
believed that lie overlooked or¬
ders, which cost him not only his
own life, but the lives of six
others who depended upon him.
The two trains were to have
met at Graysviile siding, accord¬
ing to orders sent out earlier in
the night, but later on, it is re¬
ported, the meeting point wa s
changed to Ringgold and both
crews were given copies of the
new orders.
It is believed that the first
order still remained fresh in the
mind of Engineer Clements
when he reached Ringgold and
that he still thought of meeting
the southbound, No. 18, at Grays
vill©, six miles ahead. Whatever
may have been the thoughts of
the engineer, it is known that he
pulled the throttle wide open
when he entered Ringgold, and
instead of taking the siding, as
his last orders called for, he
rushed blindly on into the dark
of the night and the destruction
of death,
NO. 40
On the W. & A. Raiidoad Near
Ringgold Wednesday
Morning
ENGINEER MISREAD ORDERS
Trains Were Moving at a High Rate of
Speed When they Met Head-on
In a Dip one Mile North
Of Ringgold.
Ringgold, Ga., September 12.—
Seven trainmen, members of
crewB of two freight trains on the
Western <Sr Atlantic railroad,
were hurled to an instant and
horrible death at 2 o’clock this
morning when freight trains Nos.
13 and 8, running in opposite di¬
rections, crashed together, head
on, one mile north of this place.
The collission came without a
moment’s warning to the victims
of the disaster who went to their
death in the twinkling of an eye.
Northbound train. No. 8 was
said to have been running fifteen
miles an hour, while southbound
train No. 18 was speeding at an
estimated rate of thirty-five
miles an hour. The impact of
the two trains was frightful and
the crash of engines and roar of
destruction of i^ars were heard
several miles away in the still
morning air.
The dead are:
T. Y. Whitehead, conductor,
Atlanta.
C. W. Fisher, engineer, At¬
lanta.
0. Ii. Clements, engineer, At¬
lanta.
; J. W. Kinnamon. fire map,
Kennesaw, Ga, j
W. B. Skelton, brakeman,
Kennesaw, Ga.
W. M. Slaughter, fireman, of
Atlanta.
Walter Smith, apprentice fire¬
man, Winchester, Tenn,
At noon five *bodies had been
taken from the debris and two
wrecking crews were heroically
at w'ork to recover the other two
bodies which were at the bottom
of the wreckage.
The track is badly destroyed
for quite a distance in both direc¬
tions from the point of contact of
the two trains and it is said that
it will pe twenty-four hoqrs be¬
fore track is cleared and train
service can be resumed. Mail
and passengers are now being
transferred around tne wreck.
The tragedy occurred about 2
o’clock, and though the mght'was
dark, instantly following the col- •
lision the fires from the burning
wreckage lit up the very heavens
and made the scene gruesome
and ghastly in the crimson glare.
When daylight dawned the
whole soene grew into exagger¬
ated proportions in the gray dawn
of the early morning.
The giant locomotives gripped
in death, lay dismantled and
bent and torn in every piece of
steel and bar of iron. Like mon¬
ster duelists, they had dashed
head-on in desperate conflict and
both had been vanquished.
Tenders and freight cars were
stiewn in all directions, some on
ends, others prone •upon their
eider, with trucks and pieces of
running gear cast about in hap¬
hazard fashion as though some
giant hand had caught up both
trains, twisted them into hits
and hurled them down again in
anger upon the ground.
And beneath the wreckage
white faces lay cold in death,
their countenances distorted with
agony and horror.
Though the estimated speed of
the trains was fifteen miles an
hour for the northbound and
thirty five miles for the south¬
bound has been officially given
out by the authorities, the very