The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1878-05-01
The Location Of the A. and NJ.
College


STARKvILLE, Miss, April %, 1873.
EDITORS CLARIoN-Your readers are no
doubt interested, Just now in what is being
done in East Mississippi in regard to the
location of the Agricultural and Mechanical
College; and as have lately visited several
of the most prominent aspirants for the To-
cation, will give you some items in regard
to them, beginning at Okolona, the most
northern competitor. Okolona is situated
on the NJ. q o. Railroad, 26l miles north of
Mobile and 90 miles south of Corinth it is
situated in a prairie country, and has only
one character OF soil has about $500 inhab-
itants, who are generous, liberal, intelligent
and hospitable. They propose to give their
College building valued at $4,000, and 160
acres of land if the College is located there.
Aberdeen, a beautiful city of $500 inhabit-
ants. Is situated on the Bigbee river, nine
miles from the NJ. 6 O. r. E &, with which
it is connected by branch road. The So
eety of Aberdeen is excellent; climate sa-
luxurious, and soil good; but it is not on the
main line; and no steps are being taken to
secure the location of the College there.
West Point is a thriving, progressive city
of 5000 inhabitants; situated on the main
line of the NJ. & o. X. R, 232 miles north
of Mobile and 81 miles south of Corinth !;
it is noted for its healthfulness, pleasant To-
cation, being in a sandy plain, surrounded
bv prairies on the east, and hills on the
west; it has a great variety of soil, in a
small space; the water is excellent and
plentiful; the cltizens are social. generous,
intelligent, and united in any enterprise
which they undertake. They propose to
give as much and offer as great inducements
TO the Trustees, for the location of the Col
lege as any other place in the State, and
they will do it. Columbus the most beau
tiful city in the State, has 5000 inha bitaDts,
is situated on the Rigbee river, II miles
from the main line OF the NJ. s. @. r. R.,
and connected with it by branch from Ar
tesla 1t was the residence of the wealth
and aristoeracy of the neie hboring country,
the remains of which are still to be seen.
The citizens are not ppited aud IL is feared
that no steps viii be taken to secure the 10
cation of the College there. StarkYille is a
live little city of 1000 Inhabitants; situated
in a prairie country; IL miles west of
Artesia on the NJ. & o. Railroad, with which
| il is conn ected bv a branch road, which how
| ever only runs tri-N weekly during the simmer
months. Starkyilfe is healthy but muddy.
The people are alive to the advantages of
| the College and will contribute literally TO
secure the location. Macon has about 1000
| inhabitants; is situated about a mile from
the III. & o. e. R.; 1913 miles from Mobile.
and 13l from Corinth; it is In prairie soil,
| and is like 0kolona and Starkville disagree
| able in wet weather. The citizens want the
| College and have voted tax to secure it.
Meridian is situated at the junction of the
v. M r. R., with the NJ. & O.; 135 miles
| from Mobile, and 194 from Corinth. The
| soil is not rich, vateF ana health good; the
| citizens are very social and intelligent; they
want the College, bat are not able to give
/ much to secure it.
NY understanding of the law is, that it is
intended the College Should be located. lst
/ in East Mississippi: I'd, on the main line of
/ the III. & o. Railroad Sd. at the point of
/ tering the greatest inducements as 60 health,
! soil, climate aud endowment Under those
conditions ny choice would lie between
Meridian and West Point. The latter can
offer the greatest and best variety az soil,
and viii equal, if nos excel Meridian or any
other place in point OF libefallfy In con-
trfbuting, and VIII probably be the success
full place better selection could not be
/ n W D