The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-07-18
Editorial Correspondence.
ALLAToONA, GA., July 1O, I872

Editorial Correspondence.
ALLATooNA, GA, July 10, 1872.
This place is situated forty miles northwest
of Atlanta, on the Western and Atlantic Rail-
road, more generally known as the estate
Road" from the fact that it was built and is
owned by the State of Georgia. Allatoona is
an unpretending village, containing only a few
families, and in the midst of a rather sparsely
populated community but there are good
farming lands in this section, and rich beds of
iron ore are found within short distance. 1t
is an important depot however, as the numer-
Gus trains, passing almost every hour in the
day and night, procure wood and water at this
station. Formerly, the place was thriving as a
railroad village, but the ravages of war de-
stroyed the business houses and several dwell
ings, and effectually checked its growth. The
depot is romantically situated at the foot of the
Allatoona Heights, through which the railroad
penetrates, and in this immediate vicinity
fighting took place during the summer Of 1864,
when Johnston retreated before Sherman. We
are told that fourteen hundred soldiers fell
upon the Heights, and the graves of many were
never identified, as the Confederates fell back
without completing the work of burying their
dead. Indeed, we met young man from
Missouri the other day, who was looking for
the grave of his brother, killed upon the sum-
NIT of the ridge adjacent to the railroad cut.
The search was unsuccessful, and the precise
spot where lies the remains of this gallant SOL
dier will probably remain forever unknown.
The mineral wealth of this region is quite
attractive, and immense beds of iron ore are
and have been proftably worked. An expert
ment in gold digging since the war proved a
failure, however, as many enterprises of that
character are constantly doing, since men will
20 further and use more extraordinary exer-
tions to mine for the most precious of all
metals, ignoring the fact that all around them
oftimes there are easier sources of obtaining
wealth from the bowels of the EARTH This ex-
pertinent was in the interest of Boston capital
lists, we are informed, and from S175,000 to
100000 was expended in an almost fruitless
effort to gather glittering gold.
The farming lands of this section are rather
peculiar. Some of the ridges are highly pro-
ductive, Notwithstanding the fact that they are
covered almost entirely with slate rock, which
interferes to some extent with the cultivation
of the soil. The best lands produce bale of
cotton to the acre, forty bushels of corn, and
fifteen or twenty bushels of wheat The bottom
lands on the creeks are highly valuable, easily
managed, and produce wonderfully. Beyond
the Allatoona Heights flows the Etowah River,
and from slight glimpse obtained the other
day of the beautiful farms on either side, We
are inclined to think that the river lands are
inferior to none in this broad country. I'm
mense fields of waving corn are seen upon ev-
cry side, while elegant farm-houses dot the
landscape far as the eye can reach. The
Etowah lands are valued at high figures, and it
is nothing uncommon to hear the owners talk
of wanting one hundred dollars per acre for
their FARMS We are told that 40 or 80 miles
along the Etowah there is an unbroken coun-
try, equal in every respect to the choice lands
seen from the railroad between this point and
Gainesville. Corn and wheat are the principal
crops, although we noticed some fine cotton in
the vicinity of the Etowah. Clover and the
grasses flourish in this section, and the hay
crop is an important item of revenue to the
farmers. In word, there is every evidence
that the most ample provision is made for the
sustenance of man and beast.
Gainesville is eight miles north of this place,
and is the county site of Barlow county. We
had the pleasure of spending a day there re-
Gently, and were highly pleased with the activ-
ity and energy of its population. Formerly,
the town was of small consequence, principally
noted as depot on the State Road, and having
no future of promise and Importance. Since
the war q different state of things exist, and
for several years the place has grown steadily
into favor, and the population numbers nearly
three thousand at this time. The Court House
is large, splendid structure, and is credit to
the citizens of Barlow. Elegant residences in
various parts of town mark the improvement
of the last few years, and quite number are
now in process of erection. The business
houses for the most part are ample and con-
veniently arranged, and we observed several
new stores and other buildings intended for
business purposes rapidly approaching compile
ton. The railroad passes through the heart
of town, and the depot is in the centre Of a
large square, on the sides of which are located
the principal stores, hotels, restaurants, offices,
and like buildings. The business is not con-
fined to the public square, but is extending in
every direction, and ultimately the various
streets intersecting the square will be appro-
priated to the increasing demands of business.
The farmers are delivering their wheat at this
time, and thousands Of bushels are daily
rh;n,,ad from Cartarsrilla The shinmants al