The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1883-02-10
DICK DENOUN CED,
Editor: Eacherg;

In your issue of February Srd, un
der head "Gibson Gleanings," your
correspondent "Dick" does Gibson
injustice, and the injustice would be
greater, but for the lrgiuniNg and
subsequent portions being constable
tory, "Alas, he exclaims, "the once
proud city of Gibson, that was once
the pride OF district Is, has quietly
and peacefully passed away. Her re-
sorts, where the honest yeomen were
used to meet Is while away their leis>
ure hours are closed, perhaps forever,
aud became & 6t habitation for ghosts
aud holgobhlins." He then speaks
Of j. G. Tharp's emporium, Prof.
Days school of one hundred pupils,
aourishing Sunday~school, etc. This
is certainly wonderful! A full school,
Acurishing Sunday school, preaching
ou the Lords day, an emporium with
man of indomitable energy at the
head of it, in a town that has passed
away forever, and the empty houses
become the abode of ghosts. What
are the facts? That the number of
business houses, and the amount of
business transacted is greatly reduced
from former proportions is ot'denied.
This is the condition of many villages,
not only in Tennessee, but the whole
South. Have there been any changes
for good A few years since, whis-
key was sold in several of these now
empty houses, and many resorted
thereto, to spend their leisure hours.
If ghosts of wronged ones are permit
ted to return. there is good reason to
believe that some of the deserted
houses are occupied by them. Better
tenanted by the spirits of the lost pow
erless to harm, than by dealers in spir-
its, powerful to rob society of good or
der, to rob woman Of him who has
sworn before God and man to love and
protect her, to rob children Of TODD and
clothing. to damn the souls Of its vota>
ries. This occupation here has peace
fully passed away, we trust forever.
Is this sad A.? The time has been when
refined women were afraid to pass
through the place. Many good men
avoided the place. Now, no more
quiet, orderly, moral place in the State
in the knowledge of this correspon
dent. Is this sad ? Then broils and
contention, then men maddened and
debased by whiskey, met to beIch out
profanity and sickening vulgarity.
Now, neghbors quietly meet togeth
er. clothed and in their rig hL mind to
discuss matters pertaining to the hest
interest of society Is this sad ? Then
their was one religious organization,
the Methodist friends. and preaching
once each month. Since then the
Baptist friends have organized here,
commencing with twenty three mem
hers. now over one hundred; good
house built and paid for. Our Meth
odist friends preaching two Sundays
in each month; the Baptist preaching
Saturday and Lords day in each
month. Is this sad? We are almost
without loafers, only when some wan
derer returns for time. Men who
found legitimate trade was not remun'
I erative 70 81 many, Went to then
farms. and like noble men are adding
to The wealth of their country, plant
ing trees, enricIing their lands heauli'
fying their homes, that they may have
something permanent and attract We
T for loved ones left behind. Is this sad!
This is truly the best location Tor q
good mill known tothe writer. There
Is good opening here for n dry goods