Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-05-24
MEMPHIS AND SHELBY COUNTY.
What the Resources of West Tennes-
see, Mississippi and Alabama"
has to Say as to our City
and County.

Memphis.-We would now say word as
to the city of Memphis, which is the chief
commercial city of Tennessee, and has the
largest population. 1t is tie county seat Of
the wealthIest and perhaps the largest county
in the State. In this neighborhood dairy
farming is found to be very profitable; the
lands are good. and close to the city are
rather high Ia price. There is no better
country for garden and orchard produce than
this. Memphis is the metropolis Of the State,
and has, including its environs a population
of some sixty-fve thou sand. Some idea of
its extent and volume CT business may be
made from the following, taken from the Of
6c.al records of the chamber of commerce, in
that city, for 1877:
General merchandise. ................ 1900, 920
Making total OF. Observation-Disclosures 8, 29S, $50
The growth of TINS city has been indeed
marvellous. In 1850 the population was
6427. and taxable property valued at s. .60O,-
600; in 1850, population 22,643, taxable
property $21, 500. 900, and in 1870, popuIa-
ton 4O,37I and taxable property $24, 1885,
$50; while at the present time the popula-
ton in the city and Immediate environs is at
least $1,000, and the taxable wealth 500, SOL
592, thus showing an increase in twenty
seven years of So, 573 in population and in
taxable property of $25, POI, 592. Memphis
is more accessible to those seeking homes and
employment IN that not only do all the lead
ing railroads meet there, but she is situated
on the Mississippi and connects with all the
steamers On that river. A large number OF
these steamers make Memphis their head
quarters. She ranks with the best CONNER
cial cities of the south, and is destined to pass
several of those which are now considered
her equal. Here are good trSt-class
hotels, manufactures OF every kind, fine
schools, churches of every denomination, and
the best kind of society, and altogether Is the
best point to which northern and western
men should go who are in search of home
| in the sunny south. A glance at the map OF
| Tennessee shows its central location; and the
great extent of its river and railroad tacill-
| ties are superior to those of any other city IN
| the State. 1t has also good home market,
and a ready and cheap outlet in every direc-
| ton. The fact that here can be grown such
a variety of crops makes 1t apparent, beyond
contradiction, that farmers can, with the
same industry and labor, make greater
profit here than in the north.
.Shelby COuity.-This is the wealthiest and
one of the largest counties IN tennessee.
The total valuation for 1873 was $38. 553 951.
The population in 1870 was 1888. The
general surface of the country is gently I'M
dulating PLAIN interspersed with creeks, two
rivers and Il number Of water-courses. There
is good amount of fiat, alluvial soil along
the creek bottoms and rivers. The hills or
rolling lands are usually of clay loan. The
alluval soils, composed of vegetable mould
and sand, are as rich as any in the world.
There is moderate amount OF warm, sandy
solls suitable for any sort of crops. Lands
rent at from two and a half to five dollars per
acre, and can be bought at from three dol
lars and upward, according to quality and To-
cation Although cotton is the chief product
of the county, the various grains can be pro-
duced with good results. Orchard products
thrive well The timber consists of walnut,
ash, cypress, maple, oak, poplar, hickory, To-
Gust, gum, etc.