The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1882-09-06
The Route for the Yazoo Valley Road
Beyond Yazoo City.


EDIroRs CLARIoS: Il seems that Jack
son is about to become a great railroad cen
ter, and Of course great inland manufae-
turing point Only about thirty-fiye years
ago. your trade came BY wagons over heavy
roads from the counties of Copiah, simp-
son, Rankin, Scstt and Newton. Then,your
streets were blockaded with cotton wagons,
in the fall of the year, from Green's Bank
to the Pearl river bridge, while the classic
precincts then known.as Greasy Row. were
literally famed from morning until night.
The Southern Railroad had its terminus
in your city, and Col. Pleasants-perhaps
the only conductor then in the State-was
known far and near as one of the most
genial gentlemen. About this time the
''New Orleans, Jackson and Great Northern
Railroad" was built, and the Southern"
was extended across the State to Meridian.
Jackson felt the change, and a new order Of
things arose Increased prosperity was
seen on ali sides. Even then, your Wisest
inhabitant did not dream of wider trade
than from the piney woods counties. But
now, the road from Natchez to Jackson may
be considered an accomplished fact, and viii
some day be completed to Columbus. The
statement fell under my eye a few days
since, in the newspapers of the day, that a
new road will soon be built between Jack
son and Yazoo City.
1t is not supposed the latter place is the
/ objective point aimed at, but that the pro-
! iectors intend tapping the railway system
| of the West by passing through the rich
lands of the alluvial basin lying bewteen
the hills and the Mississippi river. fthissur-
mise be correct, we invite you to come this
way, gentlemen. The right of way will be
given you, and rich trade will be gained
| BY penetrating the country from Yazoo City
to the foot of Lake Washington, thence via
the fourishing city of Greenville to Arkansas
City. The idea seems to prevail in some
parts that this country is miserable swamp
"a bowling wilderness. and that the coun-
try is quite unhealthy. Not so; our lands
are rolling enough to give good surface
drainage, and the wide area of cultivated
lands, with a rapidly increasing population
go to prove that the idea of great insalubri.
ty is purely fanciful.
The writer is familiar with the entire
country from the Yazoo river to Arkansas
City, and is selfish enough to hope that the
new railroad will come this way. BY
crossing the Sunfower river at the South
East corner of Township thirteen, range six
West, Cat which point the back-water from
the Yazoo finds its limit) good road bed
could be obtained through open plantations
to the foot of Lake Washington, and thence tC
its terminus. You may ask the question why
I recommend the above route if an inter
ested motive is not at the bottom-I con-
fess to the soft impeachment. If the road
comes anywhere near me, my wild unculti
waited lands will be enhanced in value, and
perhaps sold to some one who will clear and
cultivate them. The conveniences you now
enjoy will then be mine; and the country
store will give place to the well ordered
village, or city, in my immediate vicinity.
Cheap freights and rapid transit will slim
ulate the cultivation of thousands of acres
now uncleared; while cotton factories, and
cotton-seed oil mills will appear in the rich
est fields Of the great staple. Give us the
road, if you can, and we will do our best
to make it your best paying Investment
and thus add our mite to your growing
trade. l am yours truly,
OLD Die.
SHARKEY COUNTY, Aug. IS, 1882.