Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1886-03-25
THE GULF COAST OF MISSIS-
SIPPI.
Letter from Rev. ID. o. Byers, a Former
Pastor of the First Presbyterian
Church of JOnesboro.

Church OF JOnesboro-
Editor HERALD AND TRIBUNE'--I have
had it in my mind many times since my
removal to Moss Point, to send you some
items from this pleasant shore, but va
riety Of duties has prevented the fulfill
ment Of my intention.
Nearly three years ago, | babe farwell
to old Joncsboro, which had been the
pleasant home of myself and family for
seven years, and turned my face south
ward, mot knowing whittier | went;
but the Lord has dealt bountifully with
me-, restoring my health, in a great
measure, in this balmy, southern air, and
raising up friends wherever have gone.
But the friends of years agone can
never be forgotten, and to all whose eyes
may fall upon these lines, send greet
ing"
We are situated here on the Louisville
and Nashville Rail Road, 40 miles west of
Mobile, and 100 miles east of New Orleans.
Moss Point is at the confluence of the
Pascagoula and Escatawpa rivers, and is
a town of some 5000 inhabitants.
Lumberingi is the chief business interest
here.
We have twelve steam saw mills
large and small-several Of which are
not now in operation, but will he in
short time, it is thought
The logs are RATED down the rivers
from the immense pine forests extending
for one hundred and fifty miles north of
us.
This coast is noted for its healthfulness;
and it could not be otherwise, the breeze
from the south fresh from the sea, and
from the north, laden with the life giving
odor of the pine.
1t is beginning to attract attention rs n
winter resort for people from the north
and west, while it has always been sum
mer refuge for wealthy residents of New
Orleans and Mobile, Bay St. Louis, Pass
Christian, Biloxi Ocean Springs, and
other points between the two cities just
mentioned, are highly commended by
Mr.. +. v Smalley, one of the editors of
the Century Magazine" as being supe-
riOr to Long Branch, Cape May, and
other northern watering places, in salu-
! brity of air, beauty of natural scenery,
and all that tends to build up and invig-
crate "tired nature.
Fish and oysters are abundant, and very
fine-fsh selling for one and two cents a
pound oysters twenty five cents hun
| dred
We have number of oyster canning
factories in active operation.
Game is also abundant. 1t is big
story, but true one, that gentleman of
this place killed, one day, this winter,
three deer, and five turkeys.
1t was said that the deer hunted him
that day!
A friend of mine, few weeks ago,
shot eleven ducks in few hours, one
morning Another, killed twenty five
squirrels in few hours, and it was not II
good day for squirrels, either!
The soil here is generally poor, but
yields well, when fertilized. Vegetables
do well, and come very early | saw a
field of corn last summer, which produc.
ed fifty bushels to the acre. Six dollars
worth of fertilizer had been used on it 10
the acre. Sugar cane also does well here,
and this is the home of the water melon.
Pears, figs, peaches and oranges also do
well though many of our orange trees
were killed in January have seen some
very nice apples which grew here.
The society here, as in most of our
coast towns, is very good.
We have Methodist, Baptist and Pres.
byterian churches in Moss Point. The
Catholics are strong in Biloxi and some
other places.
The cause of temperance is making
rapid strides in this state
Our Legislature has recently passed an
excellent local option bill, and the indica.
tiens are that the saloon will be unknown
in Mississippi, in a few more years.
But my letter is growing lengthy, and
must let that worthy writer, "To be con-
tinued." (as Mrs Partington says,) tell
the rest at some future time. 1dios.
Very truly Yours.
4 ID. o. BYERs.
Moss Point, Miss. March 12, 1886.