The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-06-25
Notes of q Visit to Newton, 9
Thriving East Mississippi ToWr.


EDITORS CLARION: Withou, any bust
ness designs, but with view OF spendin;
few days among old friends, | went Il
Newton on the 14th inst, aud remaines
six DAYS. OF course the visit vas a yerl
pleasant one to your correspondent, divid
ing his time as he did, among its hospita
BILE citizens. Every one who has eve
visited the place will testify to the just,
high character that it has, for a generous
open-hearted hospitality.
The business of the town | found Il
have greatly increased, and the place, II
consequence, was growing prettier. New
houses were going up, old ONES were under
going enlargement or improvement, tracts
which very lately were lying ont, wer'
fenced up as pastures or lawns, aud al
wore an air of prosperity.
The number OF inhabitants il only five
or six hundred, but the town is spread
over large area, which gives plenty o.
good pure air, and aids in keeping il
healthy. Situated in a sandy, pine region
with the most delicious free stone water
the healthfulness is unsurpassed. TIL,
roads for several miles out in all directions
are good, and this, with its location thirty
one miles west OF Meridian, give a fine
territory from which to draw its trade
A few miles south lies the Central Prairi,
region, which extends for miles east ant
west, and is one of the best agriculture
and grszing districts in the whole country
to the north the country is mlly, with /
large percentage of rich creek bottoms
while the hills are made productive by
careful cultivation and fertilizing.
In this district the farms are generally
small but the people are out OF debt anc
doing we'll. The late long rainy spell ha'
damaged the lower lands greatly, but tht
mill crop is unusually forward. The pas
few DAYS of dry weather have alread,
been of much benefit, and, If the remainder
Of ne growing season Is favorable, a largt
crop, both of cotton and coin, may b,
looked for in this region. But | find
am straying into the country, of which, i
say the half have ia mind that should
be said | am afraid my article would be
too long for this issue of your paper, so
will return to the town.
There are thirteen business houses
These are: w. B. Richardson, successor Il
Richardson & Co., |. w. Walker Il Co.
q. w. Beatty, Glover Earbee, Clark &
Williams, Jas. Tolson, j. NJ. l.. Hove, c
D. DUNN ,in e. Co, J. A. Lake, and J. T
O'Ferrall, general merchants; i. z. Armi
cad, drugs and general merchandise
K. NJ. Johnston, and Street & Co., whisky
dealers. These houses are named in the
order of their location. In the aggregate
they do large and thriving business. Mr.
Sim Perry has a cotton gin and grist-mill
which does a large business. There art
two good hotels kept, respectively, by
Messrs. ]. W. Guthrie and A. J. Brown
The latter has the old hotel building
which he has renovated and repaired, anc
the former has Just erected building
which adds greatly TO the appearance OF
the town. Both houses entertain their
guests in such a manner as TO make New
ton popular place among commereia.
travellers to spend Sunday. There are twt
church buildings in the place Methodist
and Baptist-and these denominations
and the Presbyterians 10 whom one Sab
bath is yielded, secure preaching in at
least one of the churches every Sunday.
There are three Sunday-sGhool, one Bap-
fist, one Methodist. and one Union, the
latter meeting in the evening. There ha,
been during the past year a good school
under the management OF Mr.. Jno. Brown
formerly of Clarke cnunlv, assisted bN
VI \
Several plantt RS have moved to the tawI
on account Of its school facilities. ant
several gentlemen doing business il Mcri
dian keep their families here forsimlIa
reasons.
The legal profession il reprcs ntcd here
by the following gentlemen: Mes>rs. W
T. Powe, J. i. Moore, II. b. Everitl anc
II. p Andrews. The last named has ais,
assumed control OF the town paper, thu
Free Press, live and useful county journal.
The medical profession consists Of Drs
q. q. Everitt, J. C.. McElTOy aud II. 4.
Pucket. Each OF these is an excellent
physician, but the health OF the c0mmu
nifty and vicinity is such, that, though
their practice vi, Ids a fair support, nearly
every one has some other venture t. en-,
gage the distressing intervals OF healthy
leisure.
1t is but proper to account fer the where
abouts OF several gentlemen whose names
by their very omission will excite inquiry
from those acquainted with the Newton Of
former years: Capt. T. L. Pettus, so well
known as partner in the firm OF Rich
ardson d CO., is still residing here, but
having sold his interest to Mr.. w. B. Rich.
lrdson, contents himself with forming and
gardening and grape and fruit culture till
all, when he will go into the cotton and
business in Meridian. Mai.
A. B. Watts has produce and commission
business in Meridian. Mr.. I. NJ. Scanlar,
5 connected with the large mercantile
of JOS. Baum, Meridian
All these gentlemen have their familie, |
till in Newton. Mr.. WA. Pettus is farm
ng Mr.. j. II. Williams and Capt. F. B. |
IL L
orothers, and Thos. Il. Thompson, formerly |
here, are farming in the yicini- |
y; and Mr.. J. 5. Shofner has gone in
Iuest OF the orange groves and mild eli. |
nate OF Florida. | have not space, nor |
would it interest the public for me /,
pecify individuals, but Newton has reason
0 feel proud OF the young people she has
urned out. Some OF The young men are
he bookkeepers and statesmen IN large
at home, and in several OF
he larger cities; some are SUCCESSFULLY
racticing professions many Of the Young
aides are teaching; some have even dared
} enter business on their own account or
5 employees, and to their credit be il said.
ave commanded the respect and prai.e OF
H.
During my visit the community was
Jade sad by the death 0I one Of the old
It and most respected citizens, Capt. VI
. Blalack. lie WIS one OF the earliest
ttlers and had q large connection and
lst OF friends to mourn his loss, besides a
yely wife and daughter and two very prom
ing sons. He served through the whole
ar, making an excellent officer and gallant
ldier. He was buried by The orders Of
nights of Honor and knights Of Pythias. ,
er. K. w. Burton officiating as minister. /,
hanks to these two orders and 10 another 7
e insurance company, his family we're
I'll provided for. My sketch will not be :
mplete without the mention Of Dr. J. 7. ;
ats, the accommodating station agent !,
the v. & NJ r. r., and Messrs T. H.
lby and II. A. Rankin, who, though only
lployees of prominent firms, are very es-
atial factors in their success, and are,
1reover, prominent in every good work.
lie sages Of the community are Messrs Q
red Watts, S. E. SeibY, r. ". DoolittIe e
d Mrs. Mary Watts. The good Samara- &
is Mrs lie Grand. r
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