Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-06-30
MEMPHIS NOW.

MEMPHIS NOW.
But / must leave Memphis Of the past
and say a few words of its present.
Judge Oyerton, at its foundation, is said
to have predicted that it would some day
be the greatest city in the United States,
and rival the ancient city of Memphis
on the Nile, after which it was named.
But at any rate, from the start it has
been one Of the most important places
on the Mississippi (t was Incorporated
as a town in 1926, becoming a city in
1912, and during very recent years it
has taken a new impetus aud grown rap
idly. AS a cotton market it has, as is
well known, its chief distinction, being
now independent Of New Orleans in this
respect. 1t disposes Of one-eighth OF
the entire cotton crop OF the United
States, receiving the annual production
of Western Tennessee, the Northern
and Central sections OF Alabama and
Mississippi, Southeastern Missouri, and
a large part of Arkansas
Seen from the river bend several miles
above, Memphis presents a fine appear
ance, and it does not disappoint on closer
view. 1t has several prosperous looking
and attractive business streets, with
others containing numerous pleasant and
handsome residences | have visited
several of the most prosperous suburbs,
where many neat aud charming villas
are observable. The city itself has been
built up very considerably since the war,
and its population has largely increased
the latter is now recko' ei at about 65.-
600. The health ofAhe place, moreover,
has been wisely eneobraged Of late years
yet it was never so bad as reported, |
believe-by careful drainage and atten-
ton to general municipal cleanliness.
One powerful motive for this was the
terrible visit the yellow fever made W
years ago, taking upward OF two thou
sand victims. | am reminded by this al
lusion to the yellow fever of a visit |
made by street-ear yesterday to the beau
tiful Elmwood Cemetery, about two miles
southeast from the city. 1t contains
many tasteful monuments-though of
course, like other cemeteries, not a few
foolishly %pretentious ones-and the
graves of several men once widely known
in State or National politics and history:
for instance, those of Governor ]. G
Jones and Major Andrew jackson Dom
elson. Two Of the most striking monu
ments, the first near the main entrance,
excited my curiosity, and on inquiry |
learned the history Of the persons whose
memory they were intended to keep in
sight.
The first is that Of young girl named
Matte Stevenson, who came to Memphis
with the inspiration of one d~ivinelY
called, during the terrible prevalence of
yellow fever, in the summer of 1873
Her parents, English people, had settled
at the little town Of Towanda, Illinois.
The other monument which | have
mentioned has a story Of peculiar
though different interest. 1t is that of a
man named Wade II. Bolton, who died
here | believe, in 1869 Between the two
are found the graves Of several hundred
Confederate soldiers, mary of them
unknown" The Bolton monument
consists Of a square marble base and
ptuchtdi clSut UT leu ittt III lBul, upon
the top OF which stands the life size
statue of a short, thick-set man, appar
emily sixty or seventy years of age. with
a large, full forehead and not unkindly
looking face, a long, full beard, falling
upon his breast, clothed in plain, awk-
ward garments (the trowsers full,
wrinkled and badly 6ltiDg), holding a
slouched hat in his left hand, a heavy
zane in his right, and wearing large,
coarse, heavy-soled boots or shoes.
Paint me as | am" Cromwell is re-
ported to have said, and Bolton seems
to have initiated him in ordering his
statue.
One Of the pleasantest things in living
Memphis is the little park known as
Court Square, in which Bolton was
killed. This park is well shaded with
native forest and other trees, including
a few ~magnolias, now in their richly
odorous flower. An inclosed space in
the center is consecrated IN n marble