The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1873-07-25
An Interesting Letter.
Where and When the Neso State Project
Began-Kenlories Of the OtdeR Time.
FoKEsF GRovE, near HernaHdO, Miss,
JuIV 18th. 1873.

SIR ma from an extract IN 8 late
number of the appeal, aiken from your
valuable paper, that you are warm adj
vocate of a measure long cherished and
advocated by me. ! allude to the project
of the new State of Jackson, to be form
ed from parts of Tennessee, Kentucky
and Mississippi, and as I am an old citi-
zen of your county and pioneer of the
country aad well known to all the old cit
liens OF Hardeman, thought that few
lines from me on the subject would not
be uninteresting to your readers, and l
think can enlighten you all with regard
to some matters pertaining to the subject
in which you seem to be at loss.
You say that the subject, you UNDER
stand. was talked of and advocated some
thirty-fVe years ago.
I think l know the origin of the sub
ject in your section Of the country, which
occurred some forty years ago. Colonel
Amos Warner, a gentleman from New
England, bought small tract of land in
Hardeman county, some twelve miles
southeast of Bolivar, il the fork of Big
Hatchle and Little Hatchie Here he
established store, and a ferry across
Big Hatchie on the road then leading
from Memphis to Savannah on the Ten
nessee river, and here he laid of a town
and called it WarneryilIe in honor Of
himself He had surveyed and laid of
large number of lots, and advertised
sale. This sale was very extensively adj
vertised in the newspapers and in hand
bills at all the cross roads and public
places On The day of sale there was
very large number Of people in attend
ance, and before the sale commenced
Col. Warner made speech in which he
portrayed in glowing colOrs the great adj
vantages that would accrue to those that
might be fortunate enough to secure lots
in WarnervilIe. He had not only map
of his town, but also a map of the new
State which he told the people was GER
tain to be established, and WarnerFile
being at the head of navigation on Big
Hatchie and near the center of the new
State would undoubtedly become the
capital, and would not only become a
large town, but a city containing many
thousand inhabitants.
In order to make his town near the
center he had to come further into Mis-
sissi2pi than is now proposed.
do not know what he proposed to call
the new State: 1t was not jackson, how.
ever.
Col Warner was a very fine looking
gentleman; of commanding appearance
and pleasing address a very good talker
and a plausible speaker. His speech pro-
duced much excitement and the bidding
for lots was very lively; a large number
was sold at fair prices. He sold enough
to have made him rich, but there was a
defect in his title to the land and he
could not make a good title to the pur-
chasers of the lots. So he never coll ect~
ed any money from the sale ofhis lots and
the prospective city of WarnerviIIe came
to nought But Col Warner was ever
devotedly attached to the project of the
new State. 1t then failed from some
cause, but I believe another effort was
made to have it established.
Colonel Warmers scheme caused new
towns to spring up like mushrooms all
owe; the surrounding country. Some six
or eight miles from WarnerViIle town
called Pocahontas was laid off, now a
aourishing place. Most of the others are
defunct.
Your fellow-citIzens, Pitser Miller, J.
L. Rossou, Maj. McNeal and many Other
old citizens will recolleet Col Amos War
ner and his efforts to establish the town
of Warneryille He will also be remem
bered by the citizens of Jackson, as he
cnoe lived there. He died many years
age.
1 most earnestly hope the efforts now
making will prove more successful thar
those of the Colonel l cannot see any
good reason why the measure should be
opposed anywhere. 1t will leave all the
States from which the new State is pro-
posed to be taken in much better shape
The State of Tennessee, from which tht
largest proportion is to be taken, is, a
you know, a very long State, being GOT
miles in length and only about lao mile
wide. The territory TO be taken off beinI
only little 0. er 100 miles, would still
leave the State of Tennessee nearly So
miles long. The country proposed to be
taken off of Kentucky is a small string 0
counties south of the Ohio river, ant
south aud east Of the Mississippi river
entirely isolated from the balance 0
Kentucky, and would leave that State il
much better shape. Mississippi is ais
long State-about 400 miles long an,
) $50 miles wide. The portion propose
, to be taken of is less than fifty miles
5 which would leave this State IN bette
l shape also.
With proper exertion on the part of tb
= friends eff the new State, success woul
: certainly crown their efforts. 1t will b
D one of the best States in the Union.
/, All thhat ] have heard mention tn
g subject are in favor of the measure, an
quite anxious for its success.
DeSoto county will be represented a
, your convention on the 29th at Jackson
and can assure you that this part c
Mississippi will most heartily cooperat
f with you in any measure for the furthe,
anoe of the much desired object
= T. would afford me the greatest pleas
e ure to be with you at the meeting q
. / Jackson. hut nv noe and infrmifies mi