The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-07-25
Editorial Correspondence.
CALHOUN, Ga, July Is,

We propose to give the readers OF the Intet-
Kgsncer brief letter from this point, where
we have been stopping for two days with an old
army friend, w. R. Rankin, Esq, editor of the
Calhoun Times, and formerly citizen of An
derson County. Mr.. Rankin located here sew
eral years ago, and is an enthusiastic admirer
of this section. He is practicing law and edit
ing a newspaper, and justly stands high in the
estimation of his neighbors, to the extent that
many persons are soliciting him to become a
candidate for the Legislature, and should he
consent to allow the use of his name, we doubt
not that he will be triumphantly chosen to rep
resent the people. Meeting him in Atlanta,
we promised to visit his town, and look about
the country, and this promise has caused us to
enjoy the hospitality of his cheerful home,
albeit we have had no chance to see the splen-
did farming region hereabouts, as an almost
incessant rain has been falling ever since our
arrival. The rains of the past week are unpre-
cedented for the month of July, but there has
been no damage up to this time of the growing
crops, which are most promising in this Sec
ton.
Calhoun was founded twenty-five years ago,
and contains population of about seven hum
dred 1t was destroyed almost entirely by
Sherman's troops in the summer of 1854 The
town is located in most romantic spot at the
foot of succession of hills, which gives it a
picturesque appearance. The Oostenaula
River flows on the opposite side from the
hills, and is majestic stream, along whose
banks the lands are in fine state of cultiva-
ton and highly productive. The society Of
Calhoun is good and substantial, though there
is sad lack of activity among the several re-
ligious denominations, judging by the fact that
there is only one church edifce, which is in
dilapidated condition. The Baptist and Pres
byterian churches were destroyed by the Fed
eral army, and the former is preparing to re-
build, as will the Methodists in a short time
replace their old building with more substan-
tiaf structure, while the Episcopalians are
likewise projecting church. There are twelve
or fifteen stores in Calhoun, engaged apparently
in thriving business. The town supports a
good academy, besides other schools. A rail-
road is in contemplation to connect Calhoun,
which is on the Western and Atlantic Road,
with the town of MOrganton, N. O., a distance
of nearly two hundred miles, traversing an lin-
developed region, and uniting with the ewes
tern Extension" in North Carolina. This pro-
jected road will be built, we are informed, and
will be upon the highway from the great North
west, diverting freights and travel to the cities
of Georgia, which rightfully belong to South
Carolina were the Blue Ridge Railroad COM
pleted.
Calhoun is the capital of Gordon County,
which is said to be the wealthiest county in
this great State, according to population. The
lands are unsurpassed, and the present wheat
crop is most astonishing to citizen Of Ander-
son. Indeed, we fear that some Of OUR readers
might think it exaggeration to hear the farmers
talk of making such enormous crops of wheat.
One farmer reported q yield Of S6i bushels
from two acres, but we have just been informed
that another gentleman made 1544 bushels on
three acres of land. Both of these patches
were clover land, upon which small quantity
of some commercial fertilizer was used. Ordi-
narily, the yield has been from twenty to twen-
ty-fve bushels per acre. On single farm, the
wheat crop has yielded between four and five
thousand bushels, while the present corn crop
of this farm is estimated at ten thousand
bushels. We have been astonished to learn
that the farmers of Gordon county are not
more largely engaged in stock-raising, as they
have every facility. The famous stock-raiser,
Richard Peters, Esq, of Atlanta, has an ele-
CANT farm near Calhoun, from whence he draws
the pure breeds of cattle, hogs and sheep to
take premiums at the Agricultural Fairs every
year. Ex-Gov. Brown recently purchased
splendid farm, within six miles of town, for
which he paid $4,000, where he intends raising
horses and mules. Lands can be purchased at
from six to sixty dollars per acre, and there Is
q place now in the market, containing twenty
nine hundred acres, which ,an be bought for
the snug sum of $4,000. Any of our readers
wishing to invest their surplus money can OBJ
tain further information when we get home.
Most that we have written concerning the
good lands and large yields has been derived
from an unquestionable source. AS already
explained, we have not been able to visit the
country since reaching Calhoun, and we regret
that our arrangements are such as to prevent
the acceptance of an invitation just received
from DIR. W. P. Harbin, recently of Fair Play,
who moved last winter to magnificent place
about nine miles from here. The DIR. is highly
pleased, we learn, and is making good crop
and receiving fine practice. Hearing that we
were in Calhoun, he sent an invitation to come
and spend few days, but we were forced re-
luctantly to decline. We leave this afternoon
for Chattanooga, but will perhaps halt for a
time at Catoosa Springs, famous watering