Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-11-01
THE NEW MEMPHIS,
As Seen BY . Springfield Visitor
The CoufteEy, Open. Handed
Hospitality and Enterprise.
Big Houses and Important Rail.
road O0nneetfOns-The Cot.
q ton Trade aud Bright Fu- y
ture Of the Place.
Msnuhis Cor. sDripr6,ld Ma Hsr.Id

epidemic &c the close OF the summer
Of 1879 il has sprung forward 10 first
place among the cities OF the South
and claims now, and not without rea,
son, 4 population Of 60,00O. On every
hand are indications Of wealth, culture
and enterprise. Broad, finely paved
streets, beautifully kept parks, mile;
OF costly business structures, elegant
residences, retail stores which, in mag
ni6cence, rival the cave Of Aladdin
aud wholesale houses which stand
shoulder to shoulder with the most
pretentious in any Of the larger cite:
Of the West impress the visitor favor
ably with the new Memphis.
The extent OF the Wholesale bust,
ness. which is confined almost exclu-
sively to groceries Ahd provisions, is
incredible in a city of its size. Front
street for blocks is occupied By heavy
firms, while here and there on other
thoroughfares not wholly devoted to
the jobbing business, are houses which
display stocks of goods that would be
a credit to cities of many times its
population. And here it is not
strainiDg a point Of delicacy to speak
Of the
UNIFORM COURTESY
and warm hearted, open handed hos
pitality characteristic Of Memphians
II cannot fail to at once impress the
stranger within the gates, and he in
stinctiyely feels that be Is not merely
welcome in accordance with the formal
requirements OF business, but heartily
so. This, thoroughbred courtesy is
not the occasional outeropping Of a
gentlemanly and generous disposition,
but it is universal, and is noticeable
throughout the length and breadth OF
the commercial and social life of
Memphis. Perhaps it is not less to
this inbred p0liteness, which makes
the stranger feel at onee that he is at
home, that the city owes its CONNER
oial prosperity than 10 its commanding
position as business center.
Although the wholesale trade has
assumed large proportions and is an
important factor in the business Of the
city, that upon which the Memphiau
descants with greatest enthusiasm is
its commanding position as cotton
mart. The King IS everyWhere-on
railroad train, on steamboats,, in ware
houses, on drays, ia sample roems, on
the clothes of the merchants, and the
very atmosphere indicates bis com.
handing presence. Il is one Of
the widest known channels for the
disposition Of that staple in the
world, and it is regarded as the
first market in the South. Last sea.
son one tenth Of the entire crop-over
100000 bales-was handled at this
point, the aggregate value Of which
was 100000. This year the crop
is estimated at between five and six
million bales, and the indications are
that the receipts at Memphis will be
even greater than last season-or 500. :
900 bales. Columns Of interestinp
statistics and information relative 70
the position held BY the cityas a cot
ton market might be written, but this
letter will only admit Of the above
bare outline, FWfa
RAILROAD CONNECTIONS.
The greatness and glory of the Bluff
City was originally iu the steamers
which searched the waters tributary
to the Mississippi, and returned
freighted with the riches OF the South.
II has kept in the wake Of modern
methods, however, and although the
steamboat trade still plays an impor-
tAnt part in the commerce Of the city,
it hiss powerful and overwhelming
auxiliaries in the lines Of railroads.
eight IN number which have their ter
minal here. The latest acquisition is
the road leading to your city and from
thence TO the northwest, and business
men are not slow to appreciate the great
advantage to be derived from this
new outlet into, for them, new ter.
ritory, and your country will
soon have an opportunity Of judging
Tor itself Of What metal Memphis
buyers aud sellers are made The
Kansas City, Springfield and Mem.
phis road is establishing extensive
depot quarters here, having already
expended over 100000 in side tracks,
buildings, etc. The people not only
feel kindly toward the new depot, but
are proud Of it, and will lend it every
encouragement The other railroad
connections, seven 10 number, radiate
in every direction, and make tributary
thousands Of miles Of the most bro.
ductive territory Of the South.
OTHER THINGS -
In the matter Of public improve
ments there is no stint. In providine
adequate sewerage no niggardly policy
IS pursued, as is evidenced By the fact
that for the year ending September /
over $4,000 was expended in extend.
ing the system. During the same
period the sum Of Sl9l.325 was ex.
pended in paving streets, This lib,
eral, or it may seem lavish, policy
necessarily insures excellent streets
and, indeed, no cleaner or more pre-.
sentable are to be found in any West
ern city. The parks are we'll kept
street railway lines extend to the re.
hottest parts Of the city, the streets
are illuminated by gas aud electric
lights, and elegant and costly places II
amusement fifty crown the metropoli.
tan order Of things.
WEST MEMPHIS.
This is the terminus Of the X, @.
5. 4 N. Il. Il. on the western bank q
the Mississippi river, in the State d
Arkansaw, and lies opposite the lower
portion OF the city Of Memphis. Thi,
point was selected By the Railroad
Company on account Of lie hArbor. /
sand bar having formed along The
western shore Of the river directly Oh.
posite and above the city, which rem.
ders West Memphis the only availabI,
point ior the transfer and terminal "a,
cilities. AT this point an Incline
has been constructed from the mar
line Of the road, distance Of lev
hundred feet, connecting with larqr
transfer boat which conveys passenger
coaches and freight cars to the Mem
phis side Of the liver.
West Memphis extends along tn,
river for a distance OF one mile aut
occupies a level tract Of ground abov,
high water mark, and promises to be
come in the near future as equal h
importance 10 Memphis as East 81
Louis is to st. Louis, with the differ
ence, however that The elevation
Of West Memphis, as am IN,
formed by the engineer IA
charge Of the construction OF N,
grade, is eleven feet higher sboye hiqf
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