The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1880-11-13
The New Rugby.

Inc TOOHlS Oh tuc SluO III SoopCi
Institute were filled with people Of both sexes
Yesterday afternoon to hear Thomas Hughes
talk about the Rugby settlement IN Tennessee.
A large part ot Mr. Hughes's remarks were
suggested by questions from the audience
Mr.. Hughes said he was in the country TO es-
tabllsh settlement for young Englishmen,
and Americans also, who he hoped would join
them. The origin of the settlement was In the
necessity of some outlet Of this kind for the
young generation of England. There was no
country to which they would so naturally turn
as this country, where the same language was
spoken, ana where they would find the same
institutions. The next point was to look about
for the best quarters in which to establish the
settlement 1t seemed best to settle south of
Mason and DiXons line, for several reasons. In
many States 1t WAS difficult to obtain any tract
of land large enough except IN alternate sec
tons. Again, the reports as to the beautiful
climate and heathtulness induced them TO
look IN that direction, and the very tact that
they were going into the South was a consid
cradle Inducement I'VE have very little
chance to teach the North anything, but, on the
contrary, there are many things for us to learn
If any Engllshman thinks that he Is coming
over TO teach the North he will find himself
mistaken" This was certainly not the case
in the South, Mr. Hughes thought Anything
more thriftless OF careless he had never seem
All they seemed to care for is to get enough to
eat, go hunting and fishing, and have good
time. He hoped sincerely that the good ex
ample set at Rugby would incite them to new
efforts TO bring a revolution IN the state OF ag
riculture IN that section.
Cumberland plateau, on which the settle
ment Is situated, is nearly 1000 feet above the
level of the sea, and this probably accounts for
its delightful climate. The town Is already
laid out into streets, and many of the lots
have been sold. Houses are being built as fast
as possible, considering the difficulty of OBJ
tanning building material. A quarry and brick
field are near by, and saw mill is saving
away as fast as it can They have put up
capital hotel, which has been named the Ia
bard by DR.. Agnew of this city, after the old
hostelry in the south of London, from which
the Canterbury pilgrims used to start 500 years
ago, and DR.. Agnew Is to send for the hotel
some of the original banisters in the old hotel,
which he bought when it was torn down. a
few weeks ago small beginning OF library
was made with % few books belonging to MIR.
Hughes and a contribution made by his fellow
passengers on the voyage to this country.
While on his visit to Boston he was astonished
and delighted to find that the great pub
fishers of New York Boston and Phila
delphla had contributed nearly 1000 volumes
to the free library of Rugby. A church has
been built and vestry organized, and The
building will he used by Hi denominations Of
Christians A school has been organized, and
if they can only establish as good ii one IN the
new Rugby as there was at the old Rugby IN
his school days, he will be satisfied. As to the
conditions of becoming members of the settle
ment, every person must enter into covenant
that he will sell no intoxicating liquors, and
tor violation of this he must forfeit his men,
bership. Every man buying lot must build
within three years house of the value OF $500.
Another condition Is that all persons shall
help to carry out the different sanitary arrange.
mens. Up 10 last month the town lots varied
IN price up to 800. Now nothing is sold for
less than 500. Around the town surveys have
been made, and the land has been purchased
largely by the settlers at from S. to 81 an acre
The most profitable occupations seem to be
sheep raising and the planting of fruit and
garden vegetables, which find ready market
at Chattanooga. Many of the mechanics who
went to the settlement from the East have de-
cided to remain permanently, as there seems
to be plenty of work. The extent of land &C
tually purchased and decided is $4,000 acres,
but there is bonded to them nearly 100000, If
they shall ever desire SO large tract.-N \.
SIM, 2d.