The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1886-04-22
A Cotton King.
From the Mcp OrlcansiStatcs.

From the Ncw OrlcaniStatcs.
While riding on the Mississippi Valley
route en- route for Baton Roughe, few
days ago, staff correspondent Of the
States was the only passenger in the
Pullman sleeper, "Siebests," who was not
bound for Pine Bluff, Ark. Among the
large complement of passengers was a
plianly dressed and unassumiug gentleman
sitting in the corner of the coach, who,
Notwithstanding his uuassuming manner,
attracted general attention. He appear
ed to be from 3S to 40 years of age.
Judging from his looks he would be taken
for man who had labored hard through
life.
Entering the smoking compartment of
the coach, the States man inquired of one
of the gentleman what the name of the
gentleman was who attracted so much
attention. The reply was: That is Mr..
G. NJ: Neil, of Pine Bluff, a selfmade man,
who started life as a pennilcss boy, grew
up with the country, and at the same
time helped the country to grow up and
is still helping it.
"He is the cotton king, now that Col.
Ed. Richardson is dead. To-day he is
the largest cotton shipper and planter in
the world. No one can tell exactly how
much that man is worth. Iestimate him
as being. worth, at the lowest figure,
s2,50O,000. Not many weeks ago he
advanced to one person s96,OO0. The
moment he heard of the Hot Springs fire
he forwarded 300 barrels of flour, 200
barrels of corn meal, 10000 pounds Of
beef, besides clothing, etc., for the bene-
fit of the sufferers.
MI. Neil being introduced to the writ
er, expressed himself as pleased to meet
any one from New Orleans.
Chow old are you, Mr.. Neil?"
"Just 3S years of age"
"Were you born in Pine Bluff"
No, sir, I went there in 1860"
"How much money had you?"
81 was penniless. / came from Tusca'
loosa, Ala. I was a boy and went 10
work on farm"
"What business do you follow now?"
$50 many of them that it's hard to say.
I am in the banking business-president
of the First National bank of Pine Bluff.
I am planter, and have about 10000
acres of cotton in cultivation"
"You are the largest cotton planter in
the world?"
"Oh, no! The estate of Richardson is
the largest. I make between ten and
twelve thousand bales of cotton on my
own plantation. am also merchantipg.
Ihave three stores in the country on my
places. I am also railroadiug. I have
railroad, the Pine Bluff and Swan Lake
road, which runs from Rob Roy station
on the line of the Texas and st. Louis
railroad, seven miles from Pine Bluff.
II is twenty-six and one twenty.sixth
miles in lepgth, of which all but one.
quarter of a mile runs through one of my
plantations, Rob Roy. I am at present
engaged in building another road from
Rob Roy, opposite Little Rock, which
when completed will be forty-two miles
in length, and will connect with my 9TH
er road.
"When do you expect to complete
this road ?"
"One-half this summer and one-half
next summer with my convict labor"
elbow many convicts do you works"
"I have $50, and fifty or sixty who
have served their time aud remained with
me as free land owners"
"From whom do you obtain those con.
victs?"
"From the lessee of the Arkansas State
penitentiary."
Chow much do you pay for them?"
"Ten dollars apiece per month and
provide them with all the necessaries of
life."
"Planters in Louisiana have not been
ouccossfi,l with convict labor. What has
been your experience?"
"My experience is that they have
proved success. I have no trouble with
conyicts. have worked them for three
years. 1 have fine house built for them
and bed for each man to sleep in. l
have stockade around my prison
specially for them to exercise in on Sum
day. have them to bathe and change
under and over clothing every Sunday.
Further than that, give them cards,
checkers, dice, Bibles, Testaments, news.
papers to use on Sunday, all free. I feed
them three times day. AT each meal
I give them coffee, four bread, meat and
vegetables, the same fare as give the
managers of my places, who eat at the
same table with them, and 1 also eat with
them, at the same table, once week,
when I pay them visit.
ri grow all sorts of vegetables, give
them to the convicts, sweet potatoes,
turnips onions, radishes, etc., with which
the table is supplied three times day."
Proverbs of the Billings Family.