The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1877-10-17
Claiborne County.
[EDIroRIAL CORRESPONDENCE. /

+ the latter place, Literally nothing Of
the ancient town remains, but a waste
It once had population Of from 1900 to
$500, and had furnishing trade. 1t
had elegant churches; fine schools; ca
pacious warehouses banks, lawyers,
doctors, and the inevitable newspaper
office Here the GRAND GULF ADvER
User was published by VIM. NJ. SmYth,
who became famous in his day as a jour
nalist. Removing from Grand Gulf, he
established the Southern Reformer in
jackson in 1912. 1t was a model paper;
but after a brilliant but not successful
career, went the way Of all the earth
It was on the Grand Gulf Advertiser that
John ID. Freeman, afterwards Attorney
General and Representative in Congress,
tried his prentice hand in newspaper
work, having taken his first lessons in
journalism and political management IN
der Edwin Crosby, the thunderer Of the
Albany Argus, and the chief Of the Re-
gency which for years controlled the
politics Of the Empire State. In the
Advertiser, too, our friend, Homer
II. Smyth, learned the art preservative
Of all arts" and still lives to worship at
the shrine of the same avocation to which
he dedicated his life In its early begin
ming. Against Grand Gulf the great
river which was the source Of its existence,
| first perpetrated one Of lis accustomed
freaks. The ground on which it stood
commenced caving into the stream, but
the citizens making virtue Of necessity
retreated as the river advanced, and took
up new positions nearer and along side
The hills: and were in this comfortable
situation when the war commenced.
When the feGerals came down the river
with their gun-boats the town was fired
uDoD and the n0n-combatant inhabitants,
the women and children and elderly men,
took refuge in the neighboring hills and
habitations. The houses were then plum
dered Of their most valuable contents,
and set Oh IRE. and the town was literally
swept out Of existence, az the doomed
city Of 9hechem against winch ADlneieGh
fought and which he beat down ana so"ed
with salt as a perpetual sign Of his
proves. 1t has not been rebuilt The
depot of the railroad connecting Port
Gibson with the river, Is located some
distance below, but in sight OF the Ioca-
ton of Grand Gulf, which, by the way
took its name from regular TACT "lllch we
have not time TO relate.
Port Gibson as tue county seat OF one
the WeaIthlest, most hosPitaole' eniIght-
ened and patriotic counties IN the state
the good Old county Of CIaloorne-has
lost none OF Its former Prestise' Situated
centrally IN the county on bayou llerfe'
Port Gibson is the seat oil large tfade'
and ITS schools and churches nave oeen
we'll supported us streets are l"io on
regularly ana me oeau'''ul Sh'oe trees
which ovefhang win lheir luAur'aht
foliage those "E winch the residences
are butt attest the cultivated tastes q It's
projectors MANY ol 'n9 names q prom,
nent fahii'es VINO formerly resided an"
members OF "hich sun ie9l.-e, III oi'iooFhe'
have become historic. mere l. the nome
OF the HumPhlles' se2ef'i q "hom repre-
scented the county IN lne Legislature IL
former dayS-a'no"S the NUMBER 0e"j'-
MN " nun i'''i'eS VINO a '7' ;, Q, - won
name on the battle held IN defense OF
his country, ana was elecIea TO the nrSt
office in the git OF the st@se-the Mag
ruder's Hughs' Nertners' Jehnes
Archer's, the Erscoes' and last, but |
not least, that noble specimen OF pa |
hiot and gentleman, John Taylor
Moore. The Vlsitor 70 fort 0loson can
not fail to be reminded OF lts par, when /
such men as Henry |. Elicit and vii |
liam ,. Wilson, adorned II, IL Is no"
principally and ably represented by
Messrs. i. ;. Drake >. u. Nertner,
Baldwin, Chancellor Berry Martin ana
McLaurln-most OF whom belong to the
younger ''0' ,''io"'
newspaper i an nuns l'ei'S''''ie ie,''u'0 VI
the town and country around. 1t IS ed,
tied with AFFINITY by that accomplished
ana 'cnolar ana 'Fue Deino-
crat, etaj. d. >. Aiasoh' VINO "Ilillh me
past te" years has returned 10 ms hfst
loFe anu oi''0' J'5' '''o nc" l'''f''- '''''
mess
The Democratic meeting to-day was
a success Several oluos were UNI