Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-02
MEcKLENBuRG.
cRowrH or CHASE CITY,

,,ss-usdsssr.ss snd Assraesisns- The Crops
In the CsusU.
Correspondence ofthe Richmond pispa'cn'l
CHASE cry, Va. June 30, 1889.
Recently reading in the Dispatch re-
ports OF the rapid growth Of North
Carolina towns, II occurred to me that
places in our own State and nearer
home are overlooked which deserve no.
tice for exhibitions of life and progress.
Visiting this town and seeing its Won
derful advancement impressed me that
Il was entitled to conspicuous mention.
But few years ago II was only a coun-
try post-ofFice. store, and small
number of buildings. It was without
a street or railroad, and even the name
of the place was not definitely known.
Some called II the City, some Chris
Evansville, and others the Old Tavern.
Not very long ago few enterprising
men purchased at and around the place.
Soon evidences of expansion apd thrift
we're visible. Then there occurred one
sale after another, and capitalists and
energetic men from other sections sought
the locality Tor investment and agricul-
tural and mercantile pursuits. II was
laid off in lots and streets and incor-
porated as Chase City in honor Of the
late United States Chief Justice. The
railroad was soon completed from Keys
vile. Then the place started with
fresh impetus on its career Of prosperi-
ty. Lots were sold, buildings erected,
stores multiplied, elegant residences
adorned the streets, churches and
schools hourished, and an active
and constantly-increasing population
made the former quiet and secluded
hills and valleys resound with the hum
and life Of busy industry.
Situated on an elevated plane, with
gently-undulating surroundings and
the fertile and populous sections Of
Charlotte, Lunenburg, and Mecklen-
burg tributary, with their varied pro-
ducts, it has continued in its progress,
and has reached population of four or
five hundred. The appearance Of the
soil Of the adjacent farms strikingly re-
sembles that of the great grain and
fruit-producing sections of the Piedmont
regions of Virginia. There are two large
and commodious warehouses here for
the sale Of leaf tobacco, and over one
million of pounds have been sold this
year. Recently on one sale day $4,000
pounds were sold. All grades, from
the common red lug to the finest SUM-
cured leaf and golden yellow wrapper,
find ready and remunerative market
here. Tobacco-manufacturing establish
ments will be started this fall. The
wonderful and mysterious inhu-
ences are soon apparent wherever a
tobacco market and factories are estab-
lished. Population, banks, employ
ment, wealth, and business activity fol-
low where the noxicus weed is manipu-
lated and manufactured as. certain as
the sunfower follows the god of day.
Churches of the Baptist, Methodist,
Presbyterian, and Episcopal denomina-
tons are here, and more than usual
supply for the size Of the place of mil
linery establishments, good hotels,
preachers, and doctors (but no lawyers,
and hospitable people constitute the at
fractions of the place.
Over three hundred tons of guano
have been sold here this season, and
farmers have planted a large tobacco
crop. The yield of wheat just har-
vested will not exceed 80 per cent. of
an average crop. Winter oats are n
failure, but spring oats are very good.
The season is very favorable for the
corn, large crop Of which has been
planted, has been well cultivated, ard
is now presenting splendid appear
ance.
As an evidence of the profits OF pro-
ducing tobacco, Baptist minister near
here-the Rev. Mr.. Dayidson-recently
sold his tobacco crop, 1000 pounds,
for $500, or an average Of 800 per 100.
lie produced it with the help of boy
and an old man and the work Of one
horse. In addition he made the usual
other crops. preached at four churches,
and attended to the other duties incl
dent to his calling. | have also
heard of several other planters, who
do not farm on large scale, who have
been offered and have realized over
$4,000 each for tobacco crops. There
are lands near here adapted to the pro-
duction of yellow tobacco, and tiue-
curing is now generally practiced. The
cultivation Of the heavy. dark tobacco
which our forefathers delighted toprize
in heavy hogsheads and send to mar
ket in six-horse wagons, with "bells
on the leaders," has been abandoned.
Slavery and black tobacco went down
together. I. ID. }.