Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-06-14
DAVIDSON COUNTY. NC.
ITS TOWNS AND VILLAGES.


LEXINGTON, n. c., June IL, 1885.
Davidson countyis one Of the largest
in the State Of North Carolina. II was
formed in 1922 from Rowan county,
and was named in compliment to Gene
raj William Davidson, who was killed
at Cowan's ford on. the Catawba river
during the Revolutionary war. The
county is situated near the centre Of the
State, in the Piedmont section, and is
III miles west Of Raleigh. The popu-
lation is estimated at about 81 900, Of
which 900 are white and 1000 col
ored.
FARMING PRODUCTS AND CLIMATE.
The principal products are wheat,
corn, oats, barley. tobacco, cotton, diff
ferent kinds Of fruits, and Irish pota-
toes in abundance. OF this latter pro-
duct there were last season no less than
$4,000 bushels shipped. Davidson is
one of the great grain-prodncing coun-
ties Of the State. The climate is plea
SAINT and salubrious, not being subject
to extreme heat and cold. Numerous
springs and wells afford clear and
cold drinking-water, both lime and
freestone in. character. Last year the
corn crop exceeded 100000 bushels;
wheat, 100000 bushels; oats, l25, 200
bushels hay, 5000 tons; but from
present indications there will be con-
siderable falling off in the wheat crop.
1t is thought that il will not average
more than half of what it was last year.
The corn crop promises well, and if the
season continues as good as at present,
it will more than exceed that Of last
year. The winter oat crop is failure,
yet the spring oat crop promises well.
TOBACCO.
The upper half Of the county is in
what is called the tobacco belt Of
North Carolina, and in the last few
years the cultivation of tobacco has
been steadily on the increase. This
season much more attention is being
given to its cultivation than ever before.
1t has proved to be a source of con-
siderable revenue, especially on those
lands that are poorly adapted to the
cultivation of grain for here the bet
ter qualities Of tobacco thrive best.
This season the number Of plants
largely exceeds that Of last, and in some
instances the farmers have ploughed up
their wheat-fields, which were not pro-
missing. and put them in tobacco. Along
the Yadkin river and other streams run
ming through this county are to be found
some of the finest and most productive
lowlandS. About two thirds of the
eastern portion is Of the very finest kind
oftobacco lands, and when well cult
waited, and the tobacco well cured, large
prices are obtained by the farmers and
heavy profitsrealized. Some farmers are
known to have made as high as 5000
to S1.l00 per acre on fine tobacco-cul-
ture.
THE COTTON SECTION.
About one fifth Of the county, known
as the Jersey settlement. in the south.
ern portion, is the cotton section.
These lands are rich and fertile. Last
year the number of bales produced were
about 1900 or l,S00. There are large
quantities of fruit raised, principally
peaches and apples. These are shipped
to northern markets. The amount of
dried fruit shipped from the county
is exceedingly large, consisting OF
peaches. apples, and blackberries.
The number Of pounds shipped
last year were estimated at 100000,
large portion of which were blaekber-
ries. There are no trucking interests
here worth speaking of, although the
soil, it is said, is well adapted for that
purpose. The number of grist-mills in
the county is said to be about fifty;
they are chiefly water-mills; only seven
OF them being operated by steam.
MINERAL PRODUCTS.
In the county are numerous mines
Of gold, silver, copper, and lead.
The most noted are the Silver Hill, Sill
yer Valley, Conrad Hill, the Labor, the
Ward. the Wellborn, the Hoover, the
Emmons, and the Cid. The Silver Hill
is one Of the oldest and best known in
the State, and has been worked to a
greater depth than any other, but is not
being worked at present. With the ex-
ception Of the Ore Knob, Conrad Hill is
the largest copper-mine in the State. 1t
has been extensively worked with good
yield, and when in operation employs
about $50 hands. 1t is not now in OPP
Grafton.
The Silver-Valley mine produces very
rich silver ores, lead, and zinc. 1t is
called the Argentiferous Gallena ore
but the works are not now in opera
ton, being involved in litigation.
| The Cid is a new mine, and the only
one now at work. 1t was discovered
less than three years ago. and has been
worked to the depth of hundred feet.
1t has recently been equipped with a
stamp-mill, and is reducing ore or en-
tracing metal from ores, and it is sup
posed to be yielding handsome profit.
1t is owned by Philadelphia COM
pany.
COUNTY VILLAGES.
In the county are six villages besides
Lexington-viz. Linwood, which is a
railroad station, and has few stores,
and does good local trade, and from
which goodly quantity of lumber is
shipped. Jackson is in the southern
portion of the county, off the railroad.
League town and Clemminsville are
very small places. Yadkin College is
a thrifty village, has large tobacco.
factory, and here is located the Yadkin
College. popular institution of learn
ing, from which the village takes its
name. The college is under the control
Of the Methodist church. Townsville,
the next place in size to Lexington, is
on the Danyille road between Green's
boro' and Lexington, and has popu-
lation Of 500, and does thrifty business
in the manufacturing Of shoes and
chairs, which have a good reputation
throughout the State. For them a
ready sale is found. There is also
most excellent fiour-mill, and sash
and blind -facfar,v tbara Tho Tbo,noe