Charlotte messenger. [volume] (Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., N.C.) 1882-18??, 1886-09-25


Waters" the Mississippi river. 1t is
here where the yellow fever spread
death and terror few years ago, but no
mark of its ravages can now be seen. |
wish to mention, n'passing, that in this
city saw one of the finest churches
have seen anywhere among the colored
people, and that is the Beal Street Bap-
fist Church. 1t is large brick structure
neatly built, at great cost Of 1925, 600.
1t has membership Of 1900, or 2, 900
members answer to the roll call. This
building reflects great credit upon the
race.
Crossing the Mississippi am in the
State where so many colorcd people
cmigratc every year. My curiousity is
aroused, crops are watched, the forest
scanned, notes taken, questions asked.
From Memphis to Little Rock is achcck-
cred country, from the sterile prairie to
the most fertile land. The best crops
are along this line, the full golden cars
Of corn bending down the stalks upon
which they hang; the fine fields of cot
ton, whose plants arc from six to seven
feet high, with cotton pods from top to
bottom, brought the writer TO the con-
clusion that there must be some reality
in the emigrants rallying to Arkansas in
such great numbers. The land is level,
well timbcrcd and well watered by good
streams crossing their way through it.
Farmers do not pull fodder in this State,
but it dries ON the stalk.
Little Rock, on the Arkansas river,
has a population of $4,000, and shows
that. the spirit of industry and thrift is
up to the times, having good schools and
colleges, also churches among the col
orcd people, several lawyers and strict
business men. | met several Of the
prominent men of the city, and upon
being introduced to DIR. ]. H. Smith, "a
dentist Of ability and reputation, the fol-
lowing interview followed, which | took
in short hand notes:
Harllee-How long, Doctor, have you
lived in this State, or is this your native
city?
Doctor have been in this State Gar
kansas sixteen years. My native State
is Illinois. l came here from Chicago.
Harllee-What is the number of col
ored inhabitants in the city of Little
Rock?
Doctors, 900.
Harllee-What proportion of that
number own property or homes?
Doctor-Tw thirds of them own the
houses they live in.
Harllee-Can you give me any conclu-
sive information concerning the colored
people who emigrate to this State ARK
every year?
Doctor-Yes, sir. l was at Morelton
a few days ago and there / saw large
number of emigrants; 1 say, saw
1000 colored people, and they own every
foot of land ten miles around, and from
their surrounding circumstances there
was very substantial proof of their hav-
ing bettered their success. This colony
is about dozen miles from Fort Smith.
These people follow farming and they
have good crops, in fact, the best for ten
years.
lIarllcc-. What about churches, schools,
societies, &C.?
Doctor-Well. sir they have good
churches and still using efforts to improve
them. They have the advantage Of the
public schools. Colored teachers find
ready employment, who are paid as much
in proportion to the grade of their ccrtili-
Gates as is paid the white teachers with
similar grades. The usual societies pre-
vail. - r"
IIarllce- What wages is paid LIST grade
teachers?
Doctor-lst grade teachers in our city
schools arc paid 800 month the year
round. mean the principals. The 2nd
principals SIS month all the year
round, while public school teachers in
the country are paid from $40 to $50 Il
month.
IIarllee-Wcil, am interested in the
laboring mau; what is the average wages
paid to the man who is dependent upon
his bone and muscle.
Doctor-Farm hands average the year
round SIS and board month. When
they rent land they furnish the stock, the
implements. &c, and give the owner Of
the land one third Of the crop, or the
renter pays from s. to IS per acre.
llarllee-Do you think the colorcd
people arc deceived by coming here from
the older States as it is corrcntly reported
there?