The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-12-22
For THE CLARION.
Summit Notes.

In reply to some written inquiries con.
corning the condition of the people of Pike
county, L received answers from one of the
largest merchants in Summit. He has
done business in this county for the last
thirty years, and knows the people we'll
not only in Pike but Amite county. The
object of the inquiries is to show that the
financial condition of the people is for
ward. In spite of short crops, the general
state of things has nothing in 1t discourag-
ing, but everything to inspire effort, more
thinking to purpose and better plans.
/. How many steam engines are used in
Pike county? Answer Some twenty-five
or thirty running gins and saws and grist
mills. This fixed capital was not here
twelve years ago. Besides from fifty to
sixty engines is nearer the truth. The in
crease OF fixed capital in county is a sure
sign of progress.
2. How many reapers in the county /?
Answer: Three or four are in use. Their
work has successfully proved that money
can be made by the use of the machines
as the demand and price Of hay iustifes
the planters in harvesting it.
8. What is the difference in the sale of
corn, meat, syrup and rice now, and ten
years ago? Answer: Ten years ago half
Of the corn and rice was sold by the mer-
chant. To-day, comparatively none. Ten
years ago, all the molasses consumed was
sold. To-day, none. More than sufficient
Is raised for home consumption. Ten
years ago, about all the meat used by the
farmers was sold by the merchant
To-day, about ) is sold and { raised at
home. The fve-eights should be reduced
to none by better management 1t can be
done. Hard times should be driven from
the smoke-house.
a. What number of your customers. are
solvent as compared with ten years ago ?
Our estimate Is 25 per cent. now solvent .
very lew ten years ago. For the past four
years 50 per cent. of our customers have
pad current expenses. The improvement
is marked.
D. Is the county in better condition
to-day than it was in the last ten wears
we know it is. Labor is more easily con-
trolled than formerly, the general DISPOSE
ton OF the people is to work out of debt.
and the prospect is good, as they raise the
principal necessities of life at home. and
the better class of people exercise more
economy than formerly, and they are max
ing every effort to pay their honest debts.
and lastly, we believe that Prohibition
are showing good results in
:. tnc doiilty Oh the euOrt a reality.
This Is the opinion of a merchant who
recently favored the saloon. If this mer-
chant Is a competent judge, the indications
of material prosperity are certainly cheer
ing.
o. Good management, a little more prac-
tee OF alook before you leap.n that il
Keep an account of your expenses. and
cheerful, resolute determination to succeed
IN the part of the farmer, and fair dealing
inspiring confidence on the part OF the
merchant, win soon put our people on a
irm footing.
7. DIR. ]. r. Sample of this place has
invented rice mill that ought to be in
possession of every farmer that raises this
nutritious food crop. 1t is not a money
making concern SO far as he is concerned |
,ut II Is money to any farmer who raises |
ice.
.. Mr.. II. T. Beecham, of Lincoln conn
J, has moved to Summit to educate HIS
hildren. He has rented the Henderson, |
property, one mile northeast of the depot
'here he expects to start a dairy. We
et on an average about $50 pounds az /
utter week from Lodi, Wis. This
money may be kept at home.
SUMMIT CORRESPONDENT