Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-09-26
JASPER COUNTY.


JASPER COUNTY, Ga September 23-Edttor
Morning Neics We all know that the Gar
den of Eden" lacked one thing, and, strange to
say, it is the same thing this county-''the
garden spot Of Georgia'-is lacking namely, q
railroad. Could the farmers have a road
through this section they would indeed be an
independent people, for they certainly possess
''goodIy LAND" The soil is fine, and the bot
tom lands cannot be excelled by any land or
country. They can raise here in abundance
cotton, corn, wheat, oats, cane (both Chinese
and ribbon) and potatoes. What else could
you ask for any country TIE water and cli-
mate are remarkably fine. 1t is also great
fruit section.
The one drawback is getting their produce to
market. They haul their cotton from eighteen
70 twenty miles to the nearest railroad towns
Now, that jackson has become town Of i'm
portance, and the new road has opened that
country, many farmers will carry their cotton
there In preference to COvington and other
neighboring towns. The distance will be much
shorter to many.
Several years ego most of the farmers had
the Texas fever" as had others in the differ
ent States. Several left this pleasant country
and went West: but they have all returned
home, wiser but poorer men. They now agree
with sidney Lanier: There is more (fault) in
the man thas in the land"
l hear of several who want to move to
Florida, but no mora TO Texas. This has been
q wonderful year with the people all over
Georgia, and Jasper has enjOyed her full share
or rich harvest. Such season has not been
known for ears. One old farmer remarked to
me: "A wonderful year this has been to us all,
and we are very thankful; for Providence has
smiled from US for several years" The term
smiled from u.s. struck me as a strange ex-
preston, but in thinking it over it seemed
full Of meaning. Had Providence smiled on
them the result would have been as this year
"a rich harvest; had he frowned there would
have been no crop at all. BE smiled from u.s.
and we were neither blessed or cursed; only
maze poor crops which, Of course, was better
than no crop.
Jasper county is well supplied with churches
and schools. Within ten miles we can count
hrteen churches and so many schools The
churches are chiefly Of the Baptist and Metho-
dist denominations. There has been quite a
Dumber of associations and singing conven-
tlons here within the past two or three weeks.
People come from far and near and number
from four to five hundred. The meetings last
about three days and are quite interesting.
Surely the world is growing better when we
see such interest in churches manifested by all
classes.
The young people through this section-and
their name is legiOn-marry vsry early; girls
often at the ags Of sixteen and seventeen, and
boys at eighteen TO twenty. After that age
they are thought to be old maids and bachelors
a little girl of twelve ran away, near here, and
was married, few days since. Children are
as thick as berries many families have ten to
dozen. and one near here has had eighteen
We will not need immigration to settle up our
county, for in a w years our State will have
no waste places, but all be settled by our own
people. STILL we are glad to see strangers
come In among US, and give them a welcome.
There are several Swedes among us here now.
There are few regrOes, however; they seem to
prefer living near cities and railroad towns,
and the farmers are learning to do without
them.
One word for the women Of Middle Georgia.
They are an honor and blessing to any courR-
try. Their industry is wonderful. Their hos
pitaIity unbounded. Whatever their hands
lind TO do, they do it with their might wish
some Of the ladies of Lower Georgia could sec
the wonderful quilts that are made up here.
Every one seems to vie with the other as TO
who shall possess the greatest number. II
patchwork" ever becomes fashionable again,
l advise those wanting patterns to apply to
the good housewives of Jasper. Their quilts
are mysteriously Joined and wonderful named,
There is the Pig PEN" the Broken Stove"
Beauty of Texas" "Old Woman's Dream"
Leap Frog" Irish Chain " Young Mans
Fancy, "SuDhower," "Rooster's Comb, and
hundred other names, which l cannot re-
member, There are also to be seen many beau
tiful white Spreads that we're woven by eur
ladies, with their own hands during the war
which are very haL dsome. 1t only shows
what we can do when we are required to do it.
The storm Of the 9Th hurt the farmers here
20 some extent One gentleman lost six hun
dred bushels of corn, and many others lost,
but in smaller proportion. The cotton was
not SO much injured. WANDERER