The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1883-05-09

manufaCture OF raw cotton lhl0s64obh at 4
tracted his attention, and the httle
sleepy village Of Wesson, on the Jack |
son Railroad, was suddenly awakened |
one day by the announcement of the |
presence of Col. Ed. Richardson, accom-
panied by a corps of engineers and me-
chanics, and his purchase of a small cot
ton factory, which had struggled. along
for some time with limited cap-l
Eital,- but which had attested the practi
cabilitv and profitableness, of cotton
cloth manufacture, with the purpose of
employing a large amount of his capt.
! tai in its enlargement. This enterprise
proved a brilliant success. Large and
! solid brick structures were erected, the
most approved machinery was set up
and put in operation, the population of
the village was doubled, and the ami
mated rattle of thousands of spindles
succeeded to the melancholy moan of the
pine forests which environed Wesson.
Troops of welI-dressed, and happy VIC
men and children might, and may now,
be seen at certain hours vending their
way towards the vast mi Is, which,
through the magical effect Of the energy
and sagacity of Col. Richardson, have
sprung up and nearly absorbed the
little old groups Of shabby wooden
shops, bar-rooms and groceries which
once constituted the town OF Wesson.
There has been no more splendid
achievement of well directed enterprise
and iudicious investment than the Wes-
son Mills have proved. Nearly a thous-
and laborers find employment at good
rates in these mills, mostly of very
large class which would otherwise suffer
from extreme restitution. The goods
manufactured at these mills are of such
, quality and in such request throughout
, the West that the orders for them are
always largely ahead of the capacity to
supply the demand.
1 The next venture of Mr.. richardson
, far-seeing sagacity and large enterprise,
was the purchase of the Vicksburg and
Shreveport Railroad and the rescue of
that important line from ruin and di-
: version of the trade which it was origi-
!, nally designed to foster. By this pur-
a chase, he not only effected an object Of
+ great interest to our city and the South
+ west, but added largely to his vast estate
=. by the sale and transfer Of this property
: to the Erlanger Syndicate-a fortunate
J. event for our city and the whole popula
$ ton of the Southwest, and especially fo
k the creditors of a road, who were there
n by saved from fearful loss and the roa(
l. placed on footing to give assurance 0
d its speedy and brilliant success.
r There are many other incidents in tn
IS career Of this remarkable man which de
e serves mention in a more elaborate
). sketch than this purports to be. The,
e all contribute to illustrate what may b
&c accomplished by sound Judgment, wonder
7. full forecast, indomitable energy, pune
@ tuality and sobriety. With no advan
II tage of education, previous training 0
any eXtraneous aid, without speculation
a or awaiting himself of the misfortune
N and decisions of others, by legitimat
is trade, investment and judicious care
G. Col. Richardson has accumulated til
le largest and most productive estate an,
If business of any citizen of the South anc
A. West. 1t was in view Of his high qua
e tiles and commanding position in thi
n section that he was named IS the CON
missioner of the cotton zone at the grea
r Centennial Exposition held in Philade
IN plia iii 1876 and Vice President of tn
Exposition held at Atlanta two year
d ago. .!a.
lie The demand of the people that
r should preside over the approachin
&c great Exposition is SO universal and II
to gent that, with all his reluctance to o.
De cupy any conspicuous public position, h
has been induced to accept this, and HI
n already commenced to infuse his yigo
ut GUS and earnest spirit into the prcpar
nd tory measures to ensure brilliant resul
nd therefrom.
a. No doubt Col. Richardson is large
ed indebted for his wonderful successes
cd his extraordinary physical endowment
lis A giant in height, strength ard weigh
nd he has always proved equal to labor
lid which the combined powers of hundrt
De- ordinary men would beunable to accol
"a Iplish. a 5ns,r eaa.3 t"'taH dtat
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