Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1869-03-04
LETTER FROM RIPLEY, TENN.

RIPLEY, LAUDERDALE COUNTY, TENN,
March l, 1859.
We enjoyed the generous hospitality
Of Gen. WILLIAM CONNER Saturday
night and Sunday, and, at his attractive
home place, met a number of lesdipg
gentlemen OF this and Upton and Hay
wood counties, all of whom we found
hearty supporters of the Mississippi River
Railroad. Early on Monday morning
we started for this pleasant town and
arrived here about eleven O'Clock. At
twelve the Railroad meeting was called
to order in the Presbyterian Church,
and Mr.. MITCHELL Immediately COM
menoed his explanation Of the chart
of his Railroad, for which l found
the people clamorous. His speech
extended over two hoWs, and was
replete with every argument that
could be addueed in favor Of the great
enterprise. His audience of over one
hundred and fifty persons, were attentive
listeners, frequently applRuding and gen.
orally sCquiescing in all the points he so
ably elucidated. DR.. LEA, President Of
the Tennessee Central Railroad, some
day, perhaps, to run from Fulton,
on the Mississippi river, to Nash
vile, was the only out-spoken op-
ponent that Mr.. MITCHELL encoun-
tered, and what he said was go evidently
suggested in the interest of his own en-
terpFise that his remarks were rather
beneficial than otherwise. After the
close of the meeting, dismissed by Mr..
NJ. with pungent reply to DR.. LEA, the
magistrates assembled, and upon q thor
ough official Investigation of the plans
and prospects of the Company, vote
was called for, Judge THOMPSON leading
eff with an affirmative that was followed
by ten others, leaving but two negatives
out Of thirteen magistrates present. In
accordance with this very decisive vote
an order was entered that Lsuderdale
county subscribe $50 900 to the capital
stock OF the Mississippi River Railroad,
payable in five annual instaiments of
SSO, coo each, to be certified to by the
County Judge and the Clerk Of the Court.
This complied with we left, and with
such evidence OF the good will OF the
people of Ripley for the APPEAL as
twenty subscribers can afford.
In passing through this county from
Double Bridges to Ripley, we met up
with a great many Of its well-to-do peo-
pie, some OF whom were quite anxious
in regard TO the possibilities of litigation
with Shelby county on the part of "the
ring" with view to break down and |
ruin the enterprise they have sought in
so many ways to control. Your CORES
pondent was not long in tracing such |
rumOrs to their source. Emanating
from that well Of malice whence has is
sued so much that is unjust towards this
corporation and its officers, it was, you
may be assured, very thoroughly neu- /
tralized by the testimony of two or three
Memphisns present, and several influ-
ential citizens whose frequent eorres-
pondence with Memphis, eSables them
to be posted as to her affairs and public |
sentiment within her limits. The prob |
ability Of the ring" engaging in any
thing Of the kind was denied, and the |
of any other number Of citi- |
zsns Of Memphis embarking in an at |
tempt to infiict damage upon a railroad |
that promises so much for our city, |
fbsO
to show to your readers the extent |
to which the persons who want to DOS.
sess themselves Of the Mississippi River
r ailread have gone to break down the
integrity and standing of the officers and
stockholders. After the above emphatic
of the people of Lauder.
dale, We do not again expect to hear OF
SO unworthy persons of sense
and character. II your correspondent
has learned anything by this brief trip |
to Upton and Lauderdale, it is that the |
people are enthusiastic in their desire
for communication with Memphis, by
the Mississippi River Railroad; and the
man or men, who for selfish pur-
pose, would interfere, In the slightest /
way, with the furtherance of the present
project to that end can but be viewed
81 enemies to the progress and welfare
Of our young and thriving city.
Ripley promises to be place Of impor-
tsnos. The citizens are public spirited
and energetic, and only await the com.
ing of the Railroad to enter upon q
career Of almost unexampled prosperity.
A new courthouse is now in course Of
and g large Touring mill
will shortly be in operation.
A cotton mill is talked Of as among
the possibilities in the near future and
thrifty and enterprising farmers Of the
vicinity are preparing for the completion
Ct the railroad by the establishment of
and orchards and the orgsniza-
tion Of an agricultural and horticultural
society. As an earnest of their dispo-
sition in this respect am eredibly in
formed that, Notwithstanding defective