The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-07-28
A Strangers Opinion Of Charlotte and Meek
lenburg County.


Col. Dan'l Deckert, of Hagerstown, Maryland,
recently visited this City and County for the
purpose of looking at the country. with view to
purchasing land. He publishes in his paper
(the "Hagerstown Mair') very interesting ac-
count of his visit We copy below the material
part of the article :
OUR TRIP TO NORTH CAROLINA.
The morning following our arrival at Charlotte,
we arose early, threw open the window shutters
of our room and for the first time ascertained
that we had been reposing in the midst of quite
city in its general appearance.
Surprised and gratifed were we in truth, upon
looking from our window over the town to find
its general appearance SO pre-possessing and at
tractive That fertile and prosperous country
surrounded such town was natural conclusion
at which We arrived, fact that several drives
around afterwards made conclusive to our minds
Expressing desire to visit the country and
note its agricultural resources and become ac-
quainted with the ''bone and sinew" of old Meek
lenburg, we procured from Mr. Wadsworth, a
gentleman who keeps frst-class livery a 'turn
OUT OF which We were not ashamed as we dashed
around among the sons and grand-sons of the
sires of '76. Near Hopewell we found the
splendid estate of A. Brevard Davidson, Esq.,
comprising about two thousand acres of rich and
productive Catawba river land. Driving up to
an old English-looking house, buried in grove
of cedar and elms, and standing on an eminence
overlooking this splendid estate, we alighted and
ofseveral interesting little girls that made their
appearance, enquired for the proprietor. He
was absent some where on the estate and while
waiting for his coming one by one of the mem
bers of his family made their appearance (inclu-
sive of some very pretty and interesting young
ladies, and greeted us in a truly friendly man
ner. We were much struck with the frank,
courteous manners Of these Carolina ladies, and
soon felt at ease. And here let US remark that
the social qualities of the North Carolinians, so
far as we could judge from our intercourse with
them is of the most pleasing character. Educa-
ton and refinement seem universal with these
people, aud society has not so many different
castes or grades as in some other portions of our
country.
Mr. Davidson making his appearance, we hand
ed him our Introductory letter and were soon
warmly welcomed to the hospitalites of a true
and noble North Carolina house We found MIR
Davidson farmer in every sense of the word
his land being just as fertile and productive as
our Potomac river lands and farmed though
weak handed, in such manner as would have
been credtabe to either Pennsylvania or
Maryland farmer His immense estate was
beautifully situated, and upon: it grew corn,
wheat, oats, clover and cotton. Here we saw
field ofas good clover as ever grew upon Mary
land soil. Mr. d. cultivates it and understands
it's value.
During the afternoon, accompanied by Mr.
Davidson, we visited number of plantations in
his neighborhood and amongst others that of
Judge Osborne, Senator elect to the Legislature.
ha Ind nd fa
at home, and we were well pleased with our
prospecting"
We found all the plantations we visited that
lay along the Catawba river very productive,
Just as much so as our Washington county lands,
and only about half cultivated 1t was late in
the evening when we returned to the residence
of our friend Davidson, who, with true North
Carolina hospitality, (Which by the way is twin
cousin of ''old Virginia. would hear of us go
ing no further that evening. We enjoyed a
glorious nights rest, and in the morning were
walked with the first dawn by emusic, sweet
music" from Natures warblers, the Mocking
Birds, who filled the cedars in the grove sur
rounding the house. We arose. dressed and had
a refreshing walk over portion of the planta-
tion, returning in time to enjoy hearty break
fast
Bidding our new-made friends reluctant
adieu, we drove in the direction of Charlotte,
which we reached about midday. The country
through which we passed was what our people
would call sparsely settled-tracts of land vary
ing from 500 to 5000 acres, certainly full half
being covered with virgin forest. The timber
comprises the several species of Oak, Hickory,
Walnut, Poplar, Elm, Pine, &C., and is of heavier
growth than our timber lands. The land is roll
ing, well watered, and in its general appearance
excepting the improvements a country like that
around Hagerstown. There is nothing wanting
| to make it just prosperous but hardy, in
dustrious population. This in time will pour
into this fine country, for it's genial cline and
freedom from malarious diseases viii certainly
attract settlers. The soil through the section OF
country We traversed was principally red clay
mixed with some sand, with here and there a
dark looking strip of land, which seemed thinner
than the clay variety. 1t is easily cultivated
and is susceptible Of the highest state of improve
ment. Granite is the principal rock formation
of the country. The water is most excellent and
resembles in taste our freestone water.
Expressing wish to see other sections Of
| Necklenburg county, our wish was gratifed BY
| Col. r. NJ. Oates and Capt. L. S. DeWolfe, two
disfranchised gentlemen of the so-called," taking
us in charge and driving us in the direction o
Providence, (another Church. in the Easter
section of the county. We were seated will
| Col. O. who drew the lines over beautiful pai
of blacks, and who entertained us pleasantly will
facts about the country through which we wer
passing We were also entertained with hi
tramp as 'forager' through Maryland an,
through our town, for the Colonel was a rebe
quartermaster, and had been to Gettysburg.
Crossing Seven Mile Creek we entered tn
country called Providence, and passed by tn
Church of that name and To the estate of Jame