The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1880-11-11
interesting From north Carolina
RALEIGH, \. c.. October 30, 1880

RALE1GH, ". u, OclOUcT ~, 1851.
Editor ". y. Freemdn's Journal: Dear
Sir After an absence of many years from
the Old North State, was agreeably sur
rrised to note on my arrival here that a new
condition of affairs exists. On every hand
are evidences of a partial thrift and pros
perity.
have been partly forgotten. and a change
for the better is noticeable on every hand.
This beautiful city of oaks has grown and
.fou.ished, and though its population is not
large, it is enterprising, and In a few more
wears. should perchance a flow of emigra-
lion turn in this direction, Raleigh will be-
come Lot only one of the most beautiful
and healthy, as 1t IS, but one OF the most
nrosperous inland cities in the South. l do
not suppose there are 20, 900 souls, all toldel
in Raleigh, but the city is lively business
maj, containing many wholesale establish
Tnel,ts and factories, the centre of three
-,Tfoads. containing nearly a dozen church
80 and is noted for the intellectual worth
and hospitality of its citizens. The year
has been an exceedingly prosperous one
,mono the farmcrs-most of whom have
largely been engaged in raising cotton
some 5000 bales of which have perhaps
hcen brought to Raleigh alone which
have brought into circulation probably $500,
600. Whi.es and blacks have protited by
The season which a kind Providence has
blessed this section, and In ali sections oil
the S.,e the people are heard 20 speak
cheerfully of the future, while they return
thanks to the OverseeI of ell for Ills mani
fold blessings. Among the rich as well dS
the Door are heard songs of rejoicing so
different from the waillngs and lamentations
C fifteen years ago when the ruthless hands
of war were laid upon nearly every head
and demoralized every industry. A change
for the better has come over the poor white
man especially, and the sons OF Ham also
are benefited by it. Labor is plentiful. At
the tilling of the soil and the gathering OF
the crops it is in constant demand. Many
farmers have had difficulty In securing hands
to pick their cotton. They have usually
maid the pickers 40 to 10 cents per hundred
hounds for picking; at other times the pick
ers have been paid one third OF the amount
gathered for the gins. 1t is surprising that
with land so cheap. the tide of emigration
that constantly flows Westward does not
turn in this direction. Here is in truth all
that man can ask for. The soil is good
much of il rich and generally even, while
the climate is all that could be desired. The
we'll and sDrinp waters are as clear and pure
AZ crystal Game also abounds, and the
timbered lands are plentiful, so that lumber
and fuel is had for A trlflng cost. many
Northera families have settled around ltal
eigh. but there is room nearly for thousands.
within six miles of the city good improved
and timbered soil is to be broush Int for from
to $50 per acre-located within a stones
throw of villages and railroads. know of
several tracts Of land to De had at such prl-
ces-buildings included. Our farmers
would do better would they initiate our
Northern and Western brothers and Guilt
vate only ten acres where they do nifty, pay
inc more attention TO the Improvement OF
the soil and evincing some taste In beautl-
fying their homes.
Two hundred and fifty miles from Raleigh
j. growing a veritabie second chicago ITO
North Carolina.) IF there ever existed a
paradise on earth so far as beauty, scenery,
health, fine water and such reqnlf 'menls
are needed to make one, Asheville is the
ulace. Situated on The French Broad and
Swapanoa Rivers, surrounded 10y blue cap
ned and black mountains, the infantlie city
of MANY hills. bounded by lovely valleys as
we'll as mountains. Ashevilie, to my mind 8
eve. is the lovliest of Americas charming
villas. Shelly would have gone into costa
cy over Asheviiie, could he have vlewed the
Grand scenery which surrounded her, sur
~nassipo even the most romantic views IN
snow-capped Switzerland. The wild d
hIinp waters of the wild French Broad ana
the zephyr ike Swananoa are as cit ar anu
cool as a mountain spring. Ashevllle Will
soon he the. centre of several railroads,
whereas only one year ago 1t was far AWAY
from the iron horse. 1t is becominga great
trade centre and bids fair in ten years to
rival any city in the State in size, population
and enterprise. The place has several hrst-
class hotels, wholesale stores churches tone
Catholicl, newspapers, a female seminary
and some delightful residences, Durlhg
and before the war it was the residence Oh
Southerners, of the SWANS and Clngmans,
ms it is now of the Vances and Merrimons.
During the summer the place is patronlZed
from all parts of the coontry by heaith ana
pleasure-seekers, for the climate Is unsur-
passed. winter and summer, In inns OF any
other land. Thirty eight miles from mere
are the Warm Springs, a resort much pet
ter located, but not as yet so we'll patron
ized as the Hot Springs in Arkansas. Thou
sands of people were benefited 10y the baths
there this wear, and patients and visitors VII
remain there all summer. My old TREND,
DIR. William III. Howerton, formerly Secre-
tary of State, keeps the largest and best no
tel in the South at the Springs. ihfee
miles out of Asheville are the sulphur
Springs, a valuable piece of property 1t
would pay to improve.
The first Catholic church In AsheVliie wa
built in 1869. on a hill within a romantic
grove in almost the centre Of the town.
Catholics arc few, and as yet poor IN this
section. In Raleigh the Catholics have a
cosy little church, St. Johns, under the
spiritual charge of the good Rev. Father
White. | called upon the Father, and was
cordially received. He informed NE that
when he came to Raleigh. about two year:
ago, there was no Catholic church here
the old one formerly in charge OF thai
wretched and unfortunate Mcnamara hav.
ing been condemned. Father White Ina;
purchased Ii valuable piece of property
about an acre on Mcdowell and Hlllsborc
streets, upon which is an elegant and spa
cIous frame residence with outbuildings-
for SIS, 900, lie has erected a church ad
joining the es,dence and has spent cOnsid
cradle money in Improvement. How tn
good man will raise the money TO pay 70
the work | AM now at a loss to know. Ill
says 1T mostly comes from outside sources
hpra ara IN. vat Ltrt 90 I.l nnlc IL