New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-04-23
LETTER FROM PIKE COUNTY.

Skating Rink-Demand for Mechanics
McComb City-Amusements-Th Gin
cinnati Convention.
Especial Correspondence of the Republican,
SUMMIT, Miss, April 20, 1872
For the past week we have been enjoying
the inequalities Of some Of the Bogue
Chitto river farmers. In my last wrote
of freshets having lately occurred in that
river, and the damage caused by them. l
wrote of it as matter of common occur
renee at this season of the year; but from
what have seen, l must again refer to it,
as my former description was but faint
one. Never before within the recollection
of the Oldest settlers has that river been SO
high, and its waters done so much damage.
Expansive fields we're converted into tenn
porary lakes, washing away all the top soil,
already enriched by the use of fertilizers
and sown with seed, fencing, and doing
other damage, all of which has caused a
great loss of labor and time; but amid all
these drawbacks the farmers have again
set to work, with the hope of catching up
with the season, which is at least four weeks
ahead of them. The upland farmers are
well up with their work, and as yet make
no complaints. At present the season is
favorable to all.
On my return to this place l found the
skating rink in full blast--al institution in
augurated here by Captain G. p. Graney,
worthy citizen, and one Of the pioneers Of
this section. His hall is one of the finest ON
the road On the occasion of our visit
there by invitation, we noticed many roll
ing or skating, backwards and forwards,
singly or in pairs, at great speed, the great
er number of whom were some of the 'fair-
est of the fair" which, of course, added
beauty and grace to the scene. We were
persuaded to venture on pair of skates,
and mingle among the whirlers, and were
led out to the centre Of the spacious hall,
where we were left to sink or swim. We
were not long sinking, for in few seconds
we were fat ON the floor, when we took off
our skates, rose, and triumphantly marched
from the scene of our first lesson all done
to the amusement of those present. We
have no idea Of trying it again soon.
McComb City is still in rapid progress.
There seems to be a demand for mechanics,
as all the idle ones in the country have
found employment there, and great num-
Der have arrived from New Orleans, still
there is work for more. 1t is novel sight
to see town built up in a hurry.
This place (Summit) is not behind in the
way of improvements. New buildings can be
seen rearing up in all parts of the town. l
neglected mentioning the Peabody public
schools of this place in my previous epistle.
This institution was founded on the dona-
ton of that great man, and still receives its
proportion of that fund and is assisted by
tax from the people of the place. 1t is
fine school, having at least three hundred
pupils an accomplished superintendent, and
a corps of competent teachers. The build
ingS will compare favorably with any in the
State for similar purposes.
There are to be several gatherings of the
people of this place soOn-occasions where
mlrth and enjoyment will reign supreme.
The first is the ladies concert, for the bene-
fit of the Methodist church, to come off on
the twenty fourth instant; the next is the
celebration of the fifty-third anniversary of
the introduction of the l. o. o. F. into the
United States by the Summit Lodge No. SO,
on the twenty-sixth instant the next is
grand skating tournament to come off on
the first of May, which will close the season
for that amusement,
AS the time approaches for the great
Presidential problem to be solved. it natur-
ally causes the good people of all parties to
feel and express an interest in the final re-
suit. Among that class in this section there
seems to be but one opinion, with but very
few exceptions. They all favor the Cincin-
natl movement. and hope that honest men
will be sent there, and adopt platform
upon which all can stand, and one that will
bring genuine peace and tranquility to
the country. 1t is thought that a delega
ton of Republicans and Democrats will be
sent there from this State.
Nothing more, S1LVANeS.