The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-07-02

tronized "A very eligible hotel site is
also presented within easy distance of
the depot. The hotels here are good
enough in their way, but the place
needs and would support a much larger
and better establishment than any one
Of these now In operation.
SHIPMENTS OF COTTON
from Milan this season have been 5000
bales up to the present time, about
equally divided between Memphis and
New Orleans. Before the extension
of the Mississippi Central Railroad to
Cairo through this place nearly all the
cotton was shipped to Memphis. Now
the merchants, having two outlets
south, ship according to the induce
ments offered by the two markets.
To Memphis the freight is 81 and to
New Orleans So per bale The prin-
cipal receivers of Milan cotton in
Memphis, so far as | could learn, are
Estes, Fizer & Co., Shane, Harris &
Co. and Day & Proudft.
THE GENERAL TRADE
of Milan extends for miles through
the surrounding country, and if the
merchants could be induced to pur-
chase their stocks in Memphis it would
be quite an addition to the trade of
that city. Many orders are sent to
Memphis in the course of a season, but
| regret 10 state that stocks of dry
goods, boots and shoes, ETC., are pur-
chased almost wholly in Louisville,
Cincinnati, etc. Whilst shipping cot
ton to Memphis, the merchants make
no pretense of buying anything there
beyond as from time to time their
stocks NAV need replenishing, and yet
Milan is within 100 miles of Memphis
on direct line of railroad. 1t is &C
knowledged that Memphis sells many
articles of merchandise as cheaply as
they can be purchased elsewhere, but
habit is strong and hard to overcome.
| leave the remedy to the merchants
Of Memphis.
REAL ESTATE INTERESTS.
One thing is likely to retard the
growth of Milan, and that is adisposi
ton on the part of owners to hold real
estate at fancy figures. Lots were
pointed out to me for which $4,000 to
$4,000 each is asked, which are big
figures for place of this size. 1
hear of none selling, however, which
fact carries in itself sufficient condem-
nation ola speculative feeling likely
to prove hurtful to the whole commu-
nifty, in that it is calculated to repel
capital and enterprise.
SOCIAL AND EDUC ATIoNAI.
The farmers of this section, white
and colored, are a substantial set COM
paratively, and abeve the average Of
Southern agriculturiSts in point of
thrift and economy, though still de-
fcient in both respects. Generally
speaking they pay up well when they
can, and as they have got but little
into debt this season, are in good
condition, though mostly very hard
up for money and supplies. The ne
grocs are very orderly and industrious,
and merit the ceGmendation of the
whites, which is freely accorded.
They indulge in no Tom-foolery about
civil rights, but ON the contrary think
it is best to leave well enough alone,
as change would be likely TO result
to their disadvantage. There is an
excellent free school for the colored
children that is web attended, and
they are too sensible To hazard itsposses-
sion by ciamoring for what would be
certain 10 break up the wh, lie frbric
of free education in Tennes, ee.
Speaking of educational matters,
there is an excellent white free school
here, graded under the requirements
of the Peabody fund, from which it re-
ceives $1,000 annually In it a full
courseis taught, including vocalandin-
strumental music, the languages and
the highest range Of mathematics.
There aresix teachers, of whom II. 5.
Kennedy is the principal. I. P.
Walker, formerly of the Brownsville
Female College, instructs in the En-
glish departments. The number of
scholars at the close of the late ten
months session was 334, of both sexes.
The white and colOred schools are con-
Quoted under the same general juris-
diction, commissioners, superintend-
ent, etc.
CHURCHES.
The number of church societies
here is four, viz. in the order of their
numbers AID influence: Baptist,
Methodist, Presbyterian and Cumber-
land Presbyterian. The first two
have good church edifces, the Bap-
fist being of brick. with an imposing
steeple, and the Methodist of wood.
The other organizations are about
building or talking of it.
THE CROPS
hereabouts compare favorably with
any have seen along the line Of the
railroad from Memphis, but were late
in obtaining astand and, though vigor-
Gus, are small. Some rain has fall
en- of late, but moisture has not been
general, and where most plentiful has
been barely sufficient. As to the con-
dition of the cropsin this section now,
can do no better than forward Bry-
ant, jackson & Co.'S report, as made
out for the National Crop Reporter.
Taking last year as a basis, they re-
port the situation at this time as an
nexed:
Per centGm
| Corn. 100
Cott0n.-.. -
] " l0v