Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-02-12
GREEN SBORO'.
The Fruit Interesi-TobaccO-Poiiti.

Correspondence Of the Richmond Dispatch.l
GREENSBORO, n. c., Feb. II, 1888.
There is probably no section Of the
country that is more thoroughly con-
yinced OF the value Of the fruit interest
as a paving investment (and that imme-
diate) than il the Piedmont section Of
North Carolina. This culture has poured
millions into the hands Of her small
farmers within the last ten or fifteen
wears. II has done much to set the war
ruined laborer once more upon his legs.
1t has added largely to the material i'm
provement now visible all over the land.
it has been a large factor in the pur-
chase of better teams, bigger plows,
heavier harrows, larger barns, improved
wagons, and indeed all the appliances
that go to make up agricultural pros
perity. 1t beats tobacco here and cot
ton elsewhere and turpentine, which is
now considered ruinous to the sections
that produce it. The yield of a small
orchard of cherry-trees, for instance, OF
from $50 to S75 per tree annually, is
bonanza indeed.
The mountain extension OF the Cape
Fear and Yadkin-Yalley railroad is now
pouring the biggest boom OF tobacco
into our town that has ever been seen
here. For few days the road had not
cars enough on that end to ship the crop
offered for delivery. Our warehouse
men have been making special effort
through the counties of Forsyth and
Stokes during the fall and winter, and
now they and the community reap IA
golden harvest. Sales last the whole
dav. the goods are fine, and prices are
the very cream Of the market. The ex-
PLANTATION of this is also largely due to
the execrable condition of the wagon
roads leading to other markets. The
history Of the section does not proba-
blv reveals worse condition OF the pub
lie highways.
Continuous rains and SHOWS and con-
tinuous travel have reduced them TO
state wholly unfit for travel.
It is cruelty, it is death by piecemeal,
to the poor animals that founder through.
This in a country that has been civilized
and christlanized for one hundred years
and yet legislation has done practically
nothing for their betterment.
The Cape Fear and Ysdkin-N Valley
railroad was completed through to this
place three and a half years ago from
Gulf station, on the Raleigh and Augusta
road. and within the last eighteen
months has been practically finished to
Mount Airy, a distance in all OF about
10 miles. The country through which
it passes is comparatively poor, though
susceptible OF good results, there being
many first-rate mineral deposits along
the route as yet undeyeloped, but the
spirit of true enterprise is exhibited in
the establishment Of eighteen hundred
and eighy.fuc churches, schools, facto-
ries of all sorts, stores, newspapers ho-
tells, workshops, and all sorts OF indus
tllal INSTITUTIONAL truly tlattering ex-
hibIt.
A good deal Of interest is shown in
the marble-quarries of the Red Marble
Gan section. on the Western North Caro-
lima railroad. 1t is believed that as
greater depths are reached nat colored
marble of perfect purity will be found.
The churm of this beautiful product was
fully illustrated in the exquisite speci
mems of pink marble on exhibition at
the Atlanta Exposition.
Six miles west Of Greensboro, on the
Salem railroad, is the unpretentious
Quaker school, New Gordon. Under the
patronage of this sterling sect it has
plodded quietly along for generations.
doing truly meritorious work. Eigh-
teen months ago the main building was
consumed 10y IRE in the middle OF the
school session.
There was not break OF single day
in the school exercises. Glass rooms and
dormatories we're extemporized prompt
". The burned buildings were rapidly
reproduced as if by the touch of magic.
The name is to be changed to Gull
ford College," 1t is one of the noted
schools OF the country, and some OF the
most prominent public men Of the State
in ante-bellum times attended it in their
youth. 1t has been literally endowed
by members OF the Society of Friends
in the last few years.
The political stew-pan of North Caro-
lima is beginning to simmer in fact 1t
boils. A full schedule of political race
horses will be trotted out after tho
rough grooming by their respective
friends for the race. The census returns
are being oyerhauled for all the illustri
GUS names, and they are legion. II We
are to Judge by the newspaper pufs, it
would seem that most of the present
generation, especially the men folks, are
patriots.
Mr.. John Gilmore, of Egypt, n. c.,
had his overshot water-wheel stopped by
the head OF negro who fell under it and
got TANNED between the wheel and the
rock in the bed Of the stream. He was
pulled out unconscious, but soon recov-
cred and got up and went about his bust
ness.
Trinity College has enrolled 100 stu
dents SO far this session-almost double
the best record it has made in twenty
years.
President Crowell has just published
a circular letter to the friends and pa
irons OF the school which has the ring
of true business. The tenor of it is to
do away with Improbable sentiment and
look squarely at facts. Though they
may not be altogether popular some
healthy innovations will be brought in
that will exert very salutary effect upon
the life and stability OF the institution.
The commencement officers have been
elected and programme has been laid
out and preparations are on foot for
grand reunion banquet OF all that have
ever been teachers or students OF the
college. Ia. w. A.
Alexandria Notes.