The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-01-19
INTERESTING LETTER FROM
CANTON.
Canton Cotton COmPa ny-Layfng
of the Go rner Stone, &c.-The
Barbecue.

EDITOR CLARION: Last Saturday, the 18th,
| was day that will long be remembered in
Madison county. 1t was the day selected by
the Directors to lay the corner stone of the
''Canton Cotton Company" and the people
turned out en- TRdSSe to witness the consecra-
ton of the most important enterprise ever
inaugurated in Mississippi, the most impor-
tant because undertaken upon a solid foun-
dation, a cash basis, in contradistinction to
the many irresponsible establishments start
ed in the South to be sold out by the Sheriff
or to die a lingering death for the want of
capital. The people were there in all their
glory; the Planter, the Merchant, the Me-
chanic and the humble Laborer were all
represented, and then, to complete the pic
ture, the ladies were there in full force from
the stately matron to the brilliant and DASH
ing young lady, to the rosy checked little
miss, yet in her teens. Tout ensemble, the
appearance presented by the crowd assem-
bled upon the occasion was certainly such as
to make every citizen of Canton proud of
his little city and of his county.
The ceremonies were preceded by music,
by the Canton Brass Band, under the lead
ershiP of Prof. Hartwell, when Worshipful
Master, Jno. w. Yeargain, came forward
and placing the stone in position poured
upon it the "Oil of JOY" the "Wine of
GlaGuess,' and the ''Corn of Plenty" as
symbolical of the prosperity and success
that was to attend the institution so auspici-
ously ushered into public notice.
In the absence of invited speakers from
abroad, Col. o. r. Singleton, President of
the Board of Directors, then in response to
loud calls for him, delivered a most enter
tanning and torcible speech-the writer took
full notes of the address, but space and time
will not admit of embodying it in this brief
notice, suffice to say, that it was practical
aud to the point, it told the people of their
misfortunes ia the past and how they
should manfully brave the difficulties
with which they had to contend,-in short
it was such a speech as a man of the expert
ence, intelligence and enlarged views of
Col. Singleton would be expected to make,
and L was pleased to notice that it was well
received by all present.
Maj. II. S. Foote and Judge Semmes also
made some eloquent remarks, and Mr.. Hin
terminster, the largest stakeholder in the
Factory, and efficient superintendent of the
works, thanked the audience for calling
upon him, and closed by some remarks as
to the industry of our people. Altogether
the speeches were to the point, and showed
that the speakers meant business.
After the speaking there was dancing,
upon the floor of the unfinished building
and then good old fashioned Barbecue;
and all got plenty of beef mutton and
pork, who were on the lookout in time, as
the provisions were not properly distributed
out-though plenty on the ground for all.
The dinner over there was more dancing,
while others took the extra accommodation
train on the Central, in charge of gallant
Bob Miles, and came back to town highly
pleased with the manner the day had been
spent.
The Factory is situated between IL and
miles north of Canton, and some people fear
that it will injure the growth of the town,
but 1 think that is an error, and but five
years will elapse when that Factory will be
paying large dividends, and the town grad
ually spreading itself towards it.
The capital subscribed in this enterprise
is So, 900 in gold, and it speaks well for
Madison county that her citizens are deter
mined that this Factory shall be built and
paid for as it goes. Mr.. Hinterminster has
been badly disappointed about hands, but
he is getting along finely now, and says he
will have a portion of the building all
ready the last of this month.
l shall take another occasion to speak
more in detail than have in this communi-
cation; meanwhile congratulate Canton
upon the example set the other people of
the State, and may they continue to grow
and flourish.
OBADIAH.