Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-04-23
NASHVILLE AMERICAN SUNDAY lssUPPIEMNT

shown us was, we think, superior to that
used in the Capitol in fineness and in the
blending of colors. We hope that this
source of wealth to old Lincoln may not
be neglected.
THE ANTIQUITIES
of the county are numerous and inter-
esting. Between the Stone Bridge and
Fayetteville, little TO the right of the
turnpike leading into town, are to be seen
the remains of an ancient fortiication ex-
tending in semi elliptical form, some five
hundred yards along the banks of Elk
river. The line of Notifications is fire.
quently broken by bastions. No tradi-
ton has come down TO this age as to the
work-the Indians themselves had no
traditions respecting it. There is but
one plausible conjecture in regard to it.
Bastions were probably unknown among
the nations of Europe previous TO 1927.
After that date they came into frequent
use. Now fernando de Soto, Spanish
officer, who studied at one of the univer-
sites, and kept himself informed in all
military inventions, was, doubtless, ac-
qusinted with the bastion as a means of
defense. 1t is recorded, that in the win
ter of 1910, he encamped in the northern
part of the State of Mississippi, through
the winter, in one Of the Indian villages.
Northern Alabama was called Missis-
sippi less than century ago
Now it is altogether probable that place
of his encampment was in the southern
part of Tennessee. This conjecture is
strengthened by the fact that remains of
large Indian village are found near Fay
etteville. 1t is further strengthened by
the discovery of an antique coin few
years ago near this spot, bearing the image
and superscripuon of the Caesars. Put
all these circumstances together, and it
is highly probable that fernando de
Soto passed the winter of 1540-41 on
the site of the present town of Fayette-
vile.
STATISTIC.
Lincoln county contains a population
of 6,O44. In 1860 the population was
%, 1913. Number of square miles 600,
which gives little over 43 persons to the
square mile-much above the average Of
the State The number of dwellings
$3.50; number of families 1909; white
population 22,100; colored population
5,944, which shows an increase in the
white population during the last decade
of 6,174, and a dimuuitiOn of the col
ored population Of 958. The number in
the county that cannot read is 6,526, the
number that cannot write 1904, or nearly
one-third of the whole. The value of
the real estate in 1860 was 81, $40, 452; in
1870 it was Sc, 400, 99l. The value of
personal property in 1860 was IS, 392 81;
in 1870 IS, 449, 166. The great loss IN
the value of personal property arises from
the emancipation of the slaves. The
number of farms in the county in 1870
was 3, 1927. A little over one half of the
number of acres in the county is improV-
ed. We have collected many other facts
concerning the county, but feel that we
have already extended this article beyond
all limits, and forbear. The people of
old Lincoln richly deserve all the bless
ings that Providence has so profusely
showered upon them, and as they have
been tower of strength to the State in
the past, may they still continue incrcas-
ing in power and influence until they
shall occupy a position commensurate
with their virtues.