Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-05-04
EFor the Chronicle
A LETTER FROM HICKMAN COUNfY,
HIoxMAN CouNrr, April 90, 1866.

bnAhNn AVN mhVAmhN OVUNxls
HrcxMAs County,, April 40, 1866.
Mr.. Editor. Having IN opportunity Of
seeing the Chronicle occasionally, now that
we have a mail rosts established from, Nash
vile to this place, have waited longer than
otherwise would to record some local
events that might possibly excite or interest
the attention of ysur readers Failing in
this, have only to- fall back, at this season
of the year, to subject which the general
attention of all classes are directed to, viz:
the prospects, preparation and condition of
the crops, As they are the grand starting
point from which all business emanates, and
in which the lawyer the doctor, mechanic,
merchant, editor, townsmen as well as coun-
trymen, are all alike interested, l thought,
by way Of introduction, might very appro-
priately allude TO them From the best in
formation that can gain, the wheat crop,
through this section of country, promises but
small yield, not more than a third of a
crop is anticipated; in fact great deal of IL
will be total failure. There is occasionally,
here and there, q good stand secured, but
this is by no means general, having been in
jured by the severe cold spells in the latter
part of the winter. The farmers having had
better luck with their oat crop for the last
year, have increased it this. Cotton is the
absorbing topic here this year, and every
farmer Is putting forth increased exertions
to gather in an abundant crop next fall
Having had such fine season, and such
paying prices for what they raised last year.
their attention seems directed principally to
putting in larger quantities of this than any
other product.
Notwithstanding this Is pretty good corn
country, in which great deal is generally
raised, yet it commands good price, and is
hard to get at that. Hay and fodder there
is none in the country, and men are doing
without, or sending to Cincinnati for it.
There seems to be considerable interest
manifested in what few years ago, was
almost the staple of this county, to-wit, the
the pea crop, commonly known as the goob-
er pea. Many farmers, debating the ques-
ton of the most profitable crop have decided
to give good portion of their land to the
production of these; and should not WON
der if the decision prove judicious, bearing
in mind the neglect of tho article, and the
price 1t bears In the market.
The oil excitement is up, to some extent
in this county. Prof. Stafford, former State
Geologist, was down here, few days since,
examining some leases made by IIillman &Co.
I understand he reports favorable indications.
Persons, with whom have conversed, de-
scribe the same evidences existing here that
they found in the Obeds river region, and in
Kentucky. Should we reap in proportion to
specnlations and surmises of some, as to the
quantity Of oil here, we win have an abund-
ant crop of this great article of commerce.
So we fatter ourselves that, when the oscar
and yellowed leaf of autumn" comes, we
shall be "intown with pocket full of rocks,
Oblivious of all the desolation which war has
entailed upon this benighted country. Our
political horizon, for once, is clear-yes, as
calm as summers eve, without the first
startling report of bushwhacker anywhere
in our midst. How strange! I do not know
what our radical friends win do. 1t almost
seems like dream, since have seen no
published account Of 'ianother outrage in
Hickman county" There are no Jars, no
disturbances, no difficulties in any way-no
cloud, no nebulous bodies of any description
appear above our horizon save few around
our State capitol, which we all can resolve
without any telescope aid. The people have
one hope-these bodies are not quite large
enough to obstruct the invigorating and life-
giving principle which emenates from that
great tight around which cluster nations
hopes-that bright exhalation drives back
the shadows of darkness and gives hope and
confidence to every patriot in the land
Should the storm that is gathered about him
overwhelm him, then we fear that our coun.
try is gone. eve fall like Lucifer, never to
hope to rise again." am assured of one
thing, from observation and personal knowl.
edge, the great masses of the people are Ia
king more decided interest in raising and
preparing to raise something to eat and wear
than they do in the crop of disturbances
raised in our legislative bodies. Our legisla-
tnre ought to adjourn until fall, when the
farmers have gathered in their crops, so that
each ones merits or dement's might be dis.
cussed. Their names would go down to
posterity with decidedly more lasting i'm.
pressions If 1t is the "bubbe reputation they
seek" which surely is their object, as do
not perceive any great good they are doing
] have extended this letter beyond what I
contemplated, pnrpcsing, when | began, to
tax your kindness with only few items of
local interest.
Yours, etc, PEANUT.