Smyrna times., 1855-04-18
gnterestng Eettcr,
Correspondence Of the Smyrna Times.
HUNTSVILLE, ALABAMA,
APRIL 6, 1855.

APRIL 6. 1855. }
DEAR TINES While you are probably yet !
feeling the chilly effects of winter, we en- t
joyng warm weather. Vegetables of nearly
all kinds adOrn our tables, and ere another
month rolls around, we will be suffering much
from heat as you will in August. The past has
been the dryest winter in the South generally
within the recollection of the oldest inhab-
tants long continued drought of nearly
nine months has placed US in a deplorable con-
dition, and at no time has the need of railroads
been so severely felt as at the present.
The long contin led, unusual low stage OF
our rivers has reduced some sections to u state
of poverty difficult to portray. Generally
speaking, there being but limited amount
of grain raised which, last year, fell short Of
the demand for home consumption, added to the |
low price of cotton and the inconvenience and
uncertainty of getting it to market, has put us
, in very unenviable situation. Some seventy
, miles south of this, nearly one-half of the plan
tations are in the sheriff's hands, for tGCeS.-
Flour is scarce at twenty-five dollars barrel.
Corn three and Potatoes five dollars per bushel,
: and other things in like proportion; and in
t many instances it has taken all the proceeds on
crops for the three years previous, to purchase
a grain alone, for consumption during the present
J, season.
: Many are becoming quite superstiticus as to
r the cause of their atfliction, and in some ad-
r joining counties they are actually cutting down
: the Telegraph Poles for miles, attributng the
IS long drought to them! 1t is to be hoped that
Is this state of things will not long continue, and
is that the Southerners will agitate more the sub
Il ject of internal improvements
The Graduation Land Bill passed by Con-
gress in August last, reducing all Public Lands
lr that have been in the market for thirty years
le and upwards, to twelve-and-a-half cents per
acre, has caused a great rush for cheap home
at steads, and the different Offices (of which there
II, are five in this State) have been overrun with
Q, business ever since the law took effect The
ke one located here having disposed of nearly hal
VS. a million of acres during the months of Decem'
all Der, January and February which sales, o
ry course, requiring Government funds, hasgreatiy
a reduced the amount of specie in circulation
th and tended to make money-matters mere strn
od gent
ad The War, while an advantage to the ives
de and grain sections is highly injurious to tn
Ter interests of the south, and well may our citizen
IN hope for its speedy termination. But at pre-
yes sent, as you are aware, the prospects look eX
ceedingly gloomy--the death of Old Nlchoa
is considered here a stimulus to proceed wit
N, greater vigor The arrival of every steame
at New York is as anxiously for here as
..o Wall street, and the news probably is as muc
CO.. commented upon.
H. Sometime i'll June last negro boy was hire
noe by his mistress to shoot q nelghbor OF her
g about FIVE miles from town, against whom 81
Lo- has had grudge of several years standing
The boy so hired, not having heart enough
G.. perform the deed himself, engaged anoth
-. negro boy to act in bis stead. They according
~ ly proceeded, after dark, and found the gentl
soi man they intended to kill seated on his pore
mt The assassin then fred his gun, the contents
49,. which took effect in the left arm and side OF Il
,;.;, old planter who, after several months sufte
- ing. recovered, with but the loss of the use
sof his hand Shortly after the occurrence, I
;h1, negroes were arrested and lodged in ,whe
one of the boys (the assailanD died in Octob
following. His comrade had his trial at o
ublv February term of court, and, being convlct'
her, was sentehceu 70 "e h""seu' "''i'n
and took place on Friday last. He was brought c
her of Jail at precisely II clock, dressed in lor
,veet white shroud, with the rope fixed around
,iuq neck and being seated on his coffin IN ca
# an the solemn cortege slowly proceeded to the
mnrs lows, which was erected on an open lot adJo
hoys ing town. At 30 minutes to l o'clock the C
! halted under the gallows 1t was sole
bu, sight! The convict made a short speech, C.
ID for Tossing his guilt, but duplicating his mistress
next the author of the crime for which he was ab
60, /. to suffer. He advised the crowd to take wa
Dften ing, and then took leave of his friends WI
md Of the rope was secured, the cap drawn over
IS me eyes, and the cart drove on, leaving HIM
arms pended between heaven and earth. a he'