The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1868-07-11
ELK NECK. June 9th. |


Editor Cecil WMg-Dcar Sir: Il read
with pleasure the communications to your
valuable paper from the different sections of
the county, and have frequently wondered
why some one did not send you some lines
from the Elk Neck portion of the 9TH Dist.
But poor, old Elk Neck does not appear to
have any contributors 10 your paper or any
other than know of. Now if you will OK.
cuse me and my efforts to write something
about our portion of the county, Twill note
you some facts that will give your readers to
understand that there is such place as Elk
Neck, and that it is not "out Of the United
Statcs.'
Some of your readers, have no doubt,
feel prciudiced against the land and location
of this seemingly isolated portion of Cecil
county, but they certainly are not posted AS
to our convcnicnces with water comnunica-
ton and other important advantages that
but few sections OF our county are blcst
with.
First, shall speak Of the land and its
susceptibility to improvement. Now, sir, |
wish you and your readers to distinctly un.
derstand that all the land lying on Elk
River, for the distance Of one to two miles
wide, is of an excellent quality-of loamy
nature, with some gravel, and shows the
least tavors in the shape of manure granted
it, in an astonishing manner, by producing
large returns for the outlay, and the soil re.
tains it very remarkably. The North East
River Land is also of au excellent quality,
but the belt is not so wide rs on the Elk
River side. The middle ground or ridge be-
tween the two rivers is also of fair quality.
and bears improvement profitably wherever
it has been tried. But by far the larger por
ton of it is covered with growing timber,
chestnut predominating, which is one of our
advantages; for almost every farm has sutli
Gent timber.for fencing and fire wood, and
some to sell. We have also stone for build
ing purposes, and with few exceptions, not
surface stone enough to be troublesome in
farming.
For outlet market, we have the Elk River,
with its lines of steamers plying constantly
between Baltimore, Philadelphia and New
York. On the other side, or rather end, of
the Neck, we have the P.W. e. b. Railroad.
Now, Mr.. Editor an idea has occurred to
me that the stock holders of that road might
double the way freight and passenger carry
ing over its route, in very short time, lin
fact ten fold it,) by forming land improve
Jersey Railroads, and invite immigration to
our lands, which are far superior, for almost
: any purpose, to the pine and barren sands
of New Jersey, where those companies are
principally located. Now, Mr.. Editor, ]
will leave that idea to you. your readers, and
the Railroad Company for consideration,
and will say something of private improve
ments, new corners and our future prospects.
In the first place, | will start with the i'm.
provements begun by our lamented friend
and neighbor, W. Hyland, decd, who built
Il very large stone dwelling and storehouse,
which are on n very commanding sight, Civ.
ing q splendid view Of the surrounding
country and the passing vessels and steam.
ers on Elk River. The lands in cultivation
Mr. Hyland improved very much, and had
he been spared, intended to have built
frame house ON the premises where the one
was burnt two or three years ago. Mr..
Anthony George, who purchased here some
II or IS years ago, for small sum, has n
splendid farm in a high state of cultivation,
with excellent buildings, mostly built within
year or so, and have no doubt his farm
would command now $50 to 500 per acre.
Then come Mr.. Veolker and Ulery, both
having purchased very poor farms (being
exhausted and worn QUIT for low prices, are
improving them very much, and now have
them in good paying condition, and worth
three times what they gave for them few
years ago. Now ! come to ono of our new
neghbors, Mr.. Stackhouse, who purchased
the A. Wilson farm of Il. Wilmer. Mr.
Stackhouse has taken us all down in i'm
provements, having built and rebuilt until
his surroundings look like small village of
substantial and tasty buildings. But this is
not all he is making his farm produce equal
ii not superior to any other farm in the
county. So look out, you brag up'county
farmers, we are after you! And now Mr..
II. Booz, from Bucks county, Pa, u practi
cal farmer, and one hard to beat, has located
himself on the DR.. C. +. Shippers farm, and
is making great Improvements. Nextis our