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THE SOUTHERN WORLD, DECEMBER 1,1884.
87
ticulars, bat the project looks very much
like an assured fact.
If this railroad artery is completed it
will furnish a very direct route for West
ern invalids and tourists to Florida, and
by affording through rates to Cuthbert,
make it even a better cotton, market
than Eufaula. Such a consummation
would cause a new departure in the pro
gress and business future of the town.
Mr. A. J. Moye, one of the few capi
talists of this section, makes money out
of the soil despite the song of the
" croakers.” His farms aggregate over
forty mules, and are all worked under
the tenant system With his careful su
pervision and financial backing, they
prove emiuently successful to proprietor
and employee. As an evidence of this,
the cotton crop of that gentleman real
ized $10,000 last year. The writer hopes
in a future article to describe at length
Mr. Moye’s methods and modus operandi
in the conduct of his farms. It will be
interesting reading.
Not to mention this sterling journal,
the Advertiser and Appeal, in a sketch
of Cuthbert would be like blotting out
the sun from the firmament. Recently
Messrs. Stanford & Cooper, of the Ad
vertiser, bought the Appeal, which had
flourished for many years, from J. P.
Hawtell, now of the Chattanooga Demo
crat, and united the two papers under
the above appellation. Mr. Stanford is
a self-made man, beginning life in tbe
office of the Appeal, of which the writer
was then editor and part proprietor.
Since then, by the force of industry, in
tegrity and fine natural gifts, he has
risen rapidly and is now one of the lead
ing spirits of Cuthbert. His associate,
Rev. Mr. Cooper, the beloved pastor of
the Baptist Church, is a forcible and
graceful writer and popular preacher.
But we must “ take up our carriages ”
and move over the road again as far as
Andersonville. The trip was a pleasant
one and we found that little village,
which is so infamously famous among
our Northern brethren, as quiet as the
Sabbath day. Not even a drop of spir-'
its ifc sold within its limits. In our next
issue we shall have something to say as
to the facts of history concerning this
noted spot. At present let us hasten on
to
ELLAVILLE.
It is only about two monthB since the
solitudeB of that region were first broken
-by-the shrill whistle of the locomotive.
The "Buena Vista Railroad,” without
ftiSB or parade, has been 'steadily pro
gressing all summer, and in a few days
will be completed to its present termi
nation, Bueua Vista. The line was sur
veyed and located by Mr. D. K. Baker,
who is in charge now as superintendent.
This gentleman is a native of Liberty
county, and bids fair to make his mark
in railroad circles. The popular Presi
dent, Hon. J. M. Lowe, resides in Buena
Vista, and has for many years held the
office of Ordinary bIbo for Marion coun
ty. Mr. E. S. Baldwin is the obliging
depot agent.
Entering a neat coach at Anderson
ville, drawn by the locomotive W. G.
Raoul, and under the courteous keeping
of Conductor W. C. Singleton, assisted
by G. W. St. Johns as baggage-master,
the writer was soon bowling along over
this new highway, which is surprisingly
smooth. Georgia does not contain a
finer agricultural region than that
through which we passed. The country
is gently undulating, with a mixed
growth of pine, oak and hickory, and
clay underlying the surface. The soil is
easily cultivated and responds most gen
erously to the labors of the husband
man. And this is true of the entire
route to Buena ViBta. Land has already
advanced 50 per cent, and is destined to
go higher. With the least assistance
the most wonderful crops of cotton,
corn, grain and sugar cane are raised.
The railroad has only been opened
about two months to Ellaville, a dis
tance of 12 miles, and yet we learn from
Mr. B. A. Strange, a director and prom
inent merchant, that it will transport
2,500 bales of cotton the present season,
and averaged during the month of Oc
tober 32)g passengers per day. Besides
paying all expenses, enough money has
been earned to build a neat depot and
there is still an unexpended cash balance
on hand. That the investment will
prove profitable is now an assured fact.
Ellaville, the county seat of Schley,
is situated upon an elevated and beau
tiful plain well Bhaded with noble oaks,
and is noted for its salubrity. It takes
its name from the eldest daughter of
Capt. Robert Burton, who sold the site
to the county. This lady, now Mrs.
John Scarborough, still survives, and is
a sister of Mrs. Crisp, of Americas.
Our editorial associate, Col. Redding, is
the owner of valuable lands in the vi
cinity.
A portion of the buildings were re
moved from Pood Town, which was an
cient Indian settlement. The place con
tains four churches (two white and two
colored), one excellent mixed school
taught by Prof. G. Weaver, and a nu
merously attended colored school.
Among the principal merchants and citi
zens are B. A. Strange, Peacock & Dix
on, Eugene Dixon, Dr. C. H. Smith, the
Mayor of the town, J. N. Cheney, for 14
{ ears Clerk of Superior Court, Mr. Me-
fichael, proprietor of the cotton ware
house, William Allen, Sheriff, and Dr.
R. T. Bivens. Ordinary Battle was ab
sent, but we found his assistant, Mr. C.
P. Cleghorn, in the office, who keeps
the books in the neatest style, and is
also proprietor of the Ellaville Hotel.
This old gentleman, though 80 years old,
is still vigorous and strong and never
was sick in his life. He was born in
Edinburgh and spent tbe most of his
days on board a British man of war.
He has traveled all over the world and
loves to relate his adventures.
Schley county was laid off from Ma
rion, Sumter and Macon counties in 1858,
and has a voting population of 900, a
majority of whom are negroes. The
taxable values foot up $741,100, showing
an increase of $16,330 over 1883. The
average price of land is about $6.50 per
acre.
A TRIP TO BUENA VISTA.
Anxious to examine the whole route
of the railroad and visit the pretty in
land town of Buena Vista, the writer
started near night in the mail wagon for
that point, distant 14 miles. Our horse
would have made a gallant struggle for
the “slow purse” at the Macon Fair.
But thanks to a stout whip and the mus
cle of the stalwart negro diiver, after
missing the road and becoming entan
gled among railroad timbers in the dark
ness, narrowly escaping an upset in a
deep excavation, the lignts of the town
were sighted at a late hour, and through
a gently falling rain we sought and pro
cured accommodations at the "Wil
liams House.” Soon all our troubles
were forgotten before the cheerful blaze
of a bright wood fire and the attentions
of mine host.
The next morning the writer sallied
forth on a prospecting tour and was
charmed witn the location. It is in
deed aptly named Buena Vista, as the
site commands an extended and lovely
view of the country for many miles
around. Albeit deprived thus far of the
benefit of railway communication with
the outer world, and locked up as it wei;e
dn the wilderness, still by the fertility
of the soil and the energy of its inhabi
tants tbe town has thriven and to its
praise be it said, has always supported
a first-class school. Here it was that
the seminary of Mr. James H. Dunham,
who is so favorably known in educa 1
tional circles and on the Board of Visi
tors to the University, flourished and
sent forth scoVes of intelligent sons and
daughters .to bless that whole region.
This venerable educator, the companion
and friend of our boyhood in Liberty
county, continues to reside here, and
though broken in health, enjoys the un
abated confidence and respect of the
community. The writer had heard of
his recent decease, and our meeting
therefore was like a resurrection from
the grave. We shall not attempt to de
scribe the scene. May God bless our
dear comrade and vouchsafe to him a
"green old age.”
Marion county, of which Buena Vista
is the capital, was laid off from Lee and
Muscogee in 1827, and contains 8,000 in
habitants and a voting population of
1,500 about equally divided between the
two races. The taxable property
amounts to $936,910, which is an increase
over the past year. The old county site
was Tazewell, but in 1848 it was removed
to Buena Vista on land donated by Judge
Burkhalter. The town has 600 inhabi
tants, five churches (three white and
two colored), two schools and sixteen
business houBeB. Some of the mer
chants carry large and well selected
stocks. In anticipation of the advent
of the railroad a number of new stores
and buildings are already in process of
erection, and the place will immediately
become an important cotton mart. The
capital is here and will be utilized to the
beBt advantage. Indeed a bright future
undoubtedly awaits Buena Vista. With
the tide of progress we trust will come
modern hotels, the telegraphic wires and
the telephone.
The society is excellent and embraces
many citizens, male and female, who
would grace any community. Such rep
resentative men as Col. E. M. Butt, Dr.
W. J. Reese, James H. Dunham, Dr. J.
L. Baker, President J. M. Lowe, E. T.
Mathis, R. V. Forrester, J. H. Lump
kin, J. S. McCorkle and others are sej-
dorn found anywhere. Among the busi
ness firms we would mention Robert
Donnam, druggist, and J. M. Lowe, R.
H. Stokes. H. H. Thornton and J. H.
Lowe, dealers in general merchandise.
Judge Lewis Webb has been a Justice
of the Peace near forty years. Mr. Geo.
W. Bullock is the enterprising proprie
tor of two daily hack lines, one to Ge
neva and the other to Americas. R. J.
Jordan, Postmaster, is one of the few
Democrats who hold office for the sim
ple reason that no Republican could be
scared up who was qualified to fill the
position. He will be hiB own successor
without contest.
Mr. R. V. Forrester, the accomplished
successor of Judge Dunham, has a flour
ishing school of 76 pupils, and prepares
boys for any class in our colleges.
An interesting revival was in progress
in the Methodist Church, under the
preaching of Rev. Mr. Culpepper, Dr.
Key and others. We listened to a pow
erful address from the doctor, whose
whole heart is in the work. His name
is prominently suggested as the succes
sor of Bishop Pierce.
In concluding this hurried sketch of
what has been hitherto comparatively
a terra incognita to the traveling world,
we would repeat that the Buena Vista
Railroad passes through one of the most
desirable agricultural sections in Geor
gia, and its development must be sure
and rapid. Nature has indeed been
prodigal of her gifts, and the enterpris
ing emigrant will find here, with proper
industry, a very cornucopia of the good
things of this life. We hope to be on
hand again at the formal opening of the
whole line of road. H. II. J..
Worn-out Farms.
The following is from Professor B. C.
Kedzie, of the Michigan Agricultural
College: "I look with sincere pity upon
many farmers who are settling down into
discouragement over the condition of
their farms; their crops are light from
the lack of manure, the manure heaps
are small from want of crops; from
want of anything to sell they are too
poor to buy fertilizers, and in utter hope
lessness they exclaim: 'Farming is a
poor business I’ Well, such farming is
a poor business. I do not speak of this
to the discouragement, but to give a
word of cheer—-to point, if I can, to
some way to better the farmer’s lot. I
believe the easiest and cheapest way to
bring up a run down farm is by green
manuring. Suppose your farm is too
poor for clover, and grass makes only a
feeble growth; put on it-a manurial crop
that will grow, such as peas or rye; turn
this under with your plough, and then
you can raise something better; keep
feeding your soil with everything your
shovel and team can command--ashes,
leached ashes, if you can get them by
drawing them within five miles—muck,
top soil, marl, anything that will bring
a green mantle over your fields. Soon
you can set the clover pump to work
pumping up to the surface the inex
haustible resources of your subsoil. If
an animal dies don’t stop to bewail your
luck and exclaim: ‘ Everything goes to
the dogs on my farm!’ Don’t send it to
the dogs at all, but compost it with
muck, or even soil, and thus secure a
valuable manure. Samson performed
a wonder by taking honey from the dead
carcass of a lion, and do not wonder if
you extract wheat from the dead carcass
of a cow. Pick up all the bones you can
find, put them undercover and mix with
two or three times their bulk of ashes,
from your kitchen; moisten enough so
that the potash may act on the gelatine
of the bones; stir them over once a
week, and in a month or two you will
find the bones so tender that you can
cut and crush them with one blow of
your shovel; beat the whole into a pow
dery mass, and you will have a manure
better than the average of superphos
phates which you feel too poor to buy.
Give a handful of this to each hill of
corn and see how it will wave its banner
of green and pour into your basket tbe
golden heads of wheat. But in bring
ing your soil into good condition do not
neglect green manuring. Let every
wind that blows over your fields bring
them a blessing in the shape of atmos
pheric plant food. Do all these things
patiently and hopefully, without urging
your soil beyond what it can do, and
you will yet, out of the fullness of a
grateful heart, exclaim: ' Blesu God for
the farm.’ ”
A FATHER'S EETTER.
A Few Baggeatloiis to a Son at
School.
My Drab Son—Your letter of last
week reached us yesterday, and I en
close $13, which is all I have by me at
the present time. I may sell the other
shote next week and make up the bal
ance of what you wanted. I will prob
ably have to wear the old buffalo over
coat to meeting again this winter, but
that don’t matter so long as you are get
ting an education.
I hope yon will get your education as
cheap as you can, for it cramps your
mother and me like Sam Hill to put up
the money. I want you to be so that
you can go anywhere and spell the
hardest word. I want you to be able to
go among the Romans, or the Medes, or
the Persians and talk to any of them in
their own native tongue. Mind you, I
don’t complain. I knew education came
high, but I didn’t know the clothes cost
so like sixty.
I never had advantages when I was a
boy, but your mother and I decided that
we would sock you full of knowledge,
that is if your liver held out, regardless
of expense. We calculate to do it, only
we want you to go slow on swallow-tail
coats as possible till we can sell our hay.
Now, regarding that boat-paddling
suit and that base-ball suit and that
roller-rinktum suit and that lawn-tennis
suit, mind, I don’t care about the ex
pense, because you say a young man
can’t really educate himself thoroughly
without them, but I wish you would
send home what you get through with
this fall, and I’ll wear them through the
winter under my other clothes. We
have a good deal severer winters than
we used to, or elre I’m failing in bodily
health.
Last winter I tried to go through with
out under-clothes, the way I did when
I was a boy, but a Manitoba wave came
down and picked me out of a crowd with
its eyes shut.
In your letter you alluded to getting
injured in a " hazing scufile with a peli
can from the rural districts.” I didn’t
wan’t any harm to come to you my son,
but if I went from the rural districts,
and another young gosling from the rural
districts undertook to haze me, I would
meet him when the sun goes down, and
I would swat him across the back of the
neck with a fence-board, and then I
would meander across the pit of the
stomsch and put a blue forget-me-not
under his eye.
Your father ain’t much on Grecian
mythology and how to get the square
root of a barrel of pork, but he wouldn’t
allow any educational institution to haze
him with impunity. Perhaps you re
member once when you tried to haze
your father a little- just to kill time, and
how long it took you to recover. Any
body that goes at it right can have a
good deal of fun with your father, but
those who have sought to monkey with
him just to break up the monotony of
life, have most always succeeded in
finding what they sought.
I ain’t much of a pensman, so you
will have to excuse this letter. We are
all quite well except old Fan, who has
a galded shoulder, and hope this will
find you enjoying the same great bless
ing. Your Fatiibr.
■ »>«■
Well Pleased.
I am well pleased with the Soctubbn
World’s moral literary character, and
do not wish my subscription to run out.
P. B. Perry, Sr.
Whitesville, Fla.
W »E CUES
MOUTH WISH and DENTIFRICE
¥hro»MJlI»ni*« < thi , T , wth C »n<l tarts** UwBWdhj
For rale by Howard A Candler. Lamar,
R.nkin a Lamar, Wholesale Agents, Allanta,Ua.
Mention Hon them World.