New-York tribune., 1882-12-31
RuGBY IN TENNESSEE.
FAVORABLE ENGLISH VIEWS AND REPORTS
OF THE COLONY.

ponular curiosity concerning the welfare OF the
.o,onr of Rugby. in Tennessee, may now be graf
;6ed by a favorable report to the Directors based
largely upon the direct knowledge of the man to
whom perhaps as much as any other, the young
community owes its foundation. For the idea Of
establishing such colony was not altogether orig
;ns, with Mr.. Thomas Hughes but rather belongs
to an old friend Of his. a fellow law student of
thirty years ago. 1t was through his influence
,hat Mr. Hughes entered upon the colonization en-
.ornrise This gentleman had travelled over the
Plateau Of Tennessee and was charmed with tho re-
zion believing he does STILL in its great attractions
and capabilities for sustaining prosperous popnla-
tion. He is one of the largest stockholders in the
Roard and has bought two large farms Just outside
their territory He has yreturned from Rugby
and has received from his farmer and gardener
most favorable reports. Potatoes. cabbages and
other vegetables have done wonderfully. OF straw
berries great Weld is reported. and even second
prolific crop exhibited at the Cincinnati Horticul-
tura Show. OF his tobacco, four acres, he SAYS: 1T
is very fine and creates astonishment, being Wis
tied from far and near Such q sight has never
been seen thereabouts. The unfertzed part OF the
crop fist rpened. Three-fOurths Of the land IN
tobacco was reclaimed from forest last winter"
He has also seven acres of good corn on newly
cleared land. He has recently bought vineyard,
rs he says, "tO test further this favored region,
which ! believe is yet to be the happy home Of
MANY" Mr.. Hughes reply TO tnis frieni's original
indorselacnt of the Plateau was Characteristic;
"If you believe 1t Is good thing, count me for
bow oar"
was desirous to learn the existing sr1tus o.
Rugby. and Mr Hughes referred me to the offices OF
the Board in MaIgato-st.; but he knows nothing OF
this writing.
Full details as to the finances Of the Board were
kindly rendered at the secretary Office where l
learned that the solicitor, II. Kimber, esq, Is now
EN- route to Australia. by way of san Francisco,
intending on bis return to stop q, Rugby and study
It's needs. From 4 long memorandum. printed by the
solicitor If its capital oUtlayctc statements OF the
Director correspondence pToducCd and MES OF me
HUgJcjqn. have gained 1ull infolmH'ion 10 date
concerning the interests OF Rugby Tie facts are
so strongly in contrast 70 the lepOrts circulated
until lately that ;ake pleasure IN sending them to
TEE TmBUNF. thrust other American journals Will
give them publicity, IN Justice to WORTHY enter
prise and in appreciation Of Thomas Hughes. The
Board has lcen silent under all adverse ciiticlsms,
in determination TO wait until the qualities Of the
land shouG be proved ly haryests, under average
conditions. The present seasOnh has gone far towards
gratifying settlement of the matter justly.
rather Than upon the widespread drought OF
1881.
The Board Of Aid to Landownerships had its ori-
gin IN philanthropc suggestion, i'll 1877, that
Horticultural development" was the only remedy
for the prevailing hard tines" 1t may well be
noted here that the theory had complete vindica-
ton when immediately aiterwaId the United
States was bless ed with series of Unprecedented
crops; and In years of deaTth abroad. The attempt
proposed upon a small scale for the diversion Of
labor to the soil was stimulated upon a vast ratio.
In one year agricultural development" changed
the balance of foreign trade $250,OO0,0OO The
IL tad 10 lI.
for export from the United States during the last
four years at 7l3.JO0000 bushels Of wheat and
-four as heat. The proposition for such a Board
had cordial response. both from promoters
and IenefcIaTies. More than 600 men. mostly
worthy Aew-Englandcrs, registered themselves
as oesirous 10 avail themselves of it,
Rut it was found impossible, under the United
States laud laws 10 obtain q la sc consolidated
tract in the West, and before that in Tennessee
was cIen the harvest of 1878 and 1875 had much
relieved the necessity, aid sGon after there was
employ yment for all classes.
The idea of a Board of Aid TO Colonization was
tlen aiken up by EIf,ishmen of much greater
need TO ihelT hard-pIcsseJ countTymen. The favor
able report OF the Director cited, upon the Plateau,
was indorsed by he Agricultural Commissioner of
Tennessee the State Geologist Of Mississippi, and
others. Their Opinions that N its fine climate pure
wnter, timber, hydraulic power, mineral and soil
il was adapted 10 intelligent, mixed farming, have
never been Tefuted and now very practically
confirmed The memorandum of the solicitor
printed in November, 1ssl, after di,cOuTaRentnt
from the drought said There is nothing to show
or warrant belief that the locality has less merits
than were claimed OF il at first"
a tract OF 300 000 acres west Of Rugby, was
bought by the Board oIganlzed III London, subject
TO he proof OF good titles For two years no effort
or expense was spared to this end; but finally ex-
Chancellor Tempe, of Tennessee. deciGcd it was
impracticabe and the purchase abandoned.
Meanwhile to consolidate his tract the CIncn
matt Southern Railroad, the vendor had bought for
the Board upon commissions intervening parcels, III
oil abou, 10000 acres, upon which Rugby was
located. The Board made costly improvement s.
surveys, roads, tIuss-bIidge, the "Iabard Hotel
schOohouse, sawml, church, stables, store etc
Lately new building has be completed for the
Hughes Library o: 5000 volumes and there is under
c ratIon aid 10 a railroad through Rugby.
october 1880, Mr. Hugh siaanguiated the set
t,1 It, Upon his arrival the name was changed to
kGe5y name significant Of The character that was
to be given to tue colony. His inaugural GddTes
followed by rapid sales Of lands Quickly 972
as good coal that coat about $4,000, were sold
for $40 O0O-a stlOke OF fortune! that entaicd ms
To- 9ne in false assurance that tic future to
De 'n lie realization Of profits. The English man
)te holue You'll nave ali your money
i * months Ol best intentions and amica-
cIament be was made over-saHg inc Gv the
Va Mr. Hughes's reception RnG thought no
I effort essential TO populate the estate. Con-
.aF, the advice of friends IN Boston AID New
York, he Boston Office closed by lin AID no
.e4sures takon TO sooure the substantial New
england men who would have given a diiercn.
record An offer Of az advisory committee of Amer
t>ap friends. gratis, vas unlccapt.d Tie aGmDis-
"a ,ru a..