The morning star and Catholic messenger., 1878-01-20
Meridian, Miss, New Catholic couv.a.. Etc.
January II, 1873.

January II, 1878.
Editor AorEtsEEtl
write you from Aeridisr. This town ia
the A. C. Z. z. and the A. & c. R. r., with the
II. Il o. r. R. passipg eH rorts. These avenues
Of carriage with their tributaries have render
ed this place exceptionally accessible and At
traetive, which fact has been well appreciated,
Cd iiiGstrsted by its marvellous growth since
the war. In 1862 there was here little more
than depot Z; since that time it has reached at
its maximum q population If ak OF seven
thousand, occssioned By an infax of farmers,
tradesmeD, artisans, etc, attracted hereto on
sceouns of expectations and the advantageous
situation Of the place. The results Of the war
falling suddenly on the people of the South,
and striking them 80 i'll prepared, brought
about q restless ditqoietude, causing many to
cast about for q change Ct pursuits, and in.
duoed them to seek other fieies of enterprise !;
hence many wrecks may be seen scattered here,
as eiseWhe due partly to crowded and over.
done business, bot principally oceasioned by
inexperienced and unqualified advsnturers.
So much for retrospect. Now, purced OF
its refuse, the city is on a solid basis, With q
population of from three TO four thousand.
Her finances are good, and pifo;ed by an able
crew of city officers, composed of Mayor and
Boards of Counciimen and Aldermen, SIZE has
surmouutrd the breakers IF Rsdfcsf nt.rui-z
and to-day her paper is at par. Her N etchants,
Sonpd, cautious, and acting on the maxim
estRa lents,' safely applicable to all pursuits,
are holding mp amid surrou nding disasters, and
for the place . bright future may be anticipated.
might tell you of her factories, sash aud
blind, foundry, oil mill (from cotton seed), mar
bio yard, etc, bat space f1rbids. You will be
moro interested to hear of
CATHOLIC PROGRESS IN MERIDIAN.
They have here . fue church, and throug
the indefAtigable exertions Of the pastor,
Father vally, with the cooperation Of his con-
Rregation, they have succeeded in erecting and
completing within the past six months q bean
tiful convent adapted by its construction for
most convenient Asd commodiouS Accommods-
tions. 1t is situsted with the church on q four
sors lot belonging thereto, which is now
dergoipg embsilshment by the planting of
shade trees aud other foliage.
visited the convent yesterday, and had the
pleasure of lookout from its third stcry. 1t
is located in the west part of the town, on
prominence sufficiently elevated to command a
view O! all the surroundings. Looking out on
the south, a maguifcert mountain scenery
meets the view. Spurs disconnected are to be
seen, aud though, without notoriety, might
challenge comparison, on account OF their
altitude aud perpendiculATity, with more
Wanted spots in distant S:ates.
The soldiers Of Gen. Leo will remember the
Valley Of Virginia and ies mountainous sar-
rouudinGs, for their rcmembrauces Herewith
are indelbly fixed, and yesterday, when tax.
ing an outward view Of these frowring emil
nences, gorgeous st sunset, from the Sisters
Convent, I thought of Virginia, and that the
day might come when these obscure heights
rude and undescribed, might rival by popular
attraction places to-day Of notOriety and Of
public resort.
On the summit Of one iS . plateau OF about
two acres, vRriegated by mOs4-covered rocks
and mountain growths. Other peaks adjacent
have an area on the SUBMITS Of fifteen Acres or
moro, and all having clear, cold springs AOR-
ing from their sides, render these points to the
young people of Meridian peculiarly attractive
on picnic and festive 0OoAaiOns.
These are some of the surroundings meARerly
described, and TO conclude: The Convent here
Academy of ST. AlOysius, The school was
opened three months ago by the Sisters of
Mercy, with an encouraging patronage; and
now, with all it's 9dEsntBges, heRlthful locS-
tion, accessibility by railroads, and, above all,
being controlled by the Sisters OF Mercy, ladies
aud praotloe-under such favorable auspices,
we predict for THE institution suocess and pros
perity. G.