The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-07-12
GEORGIA SKETCHES.
WHAT THE FARMERS IN THIS
STATE CAN DO.

Americus, Preston and Lumpkin Rail-
road-Who Built It?-A Fertile Re-
eion-Lumpkin in Ante-Bellum Times
Its Magnificent Views-The Advent
of the Railroad Successful Farmers
Preston Material Statistics - The
Lands of Webster County.
Western Georgia was aptly styled in the
dark days of the civil war, THE Granary
of the South" The region which the reader
Is invited to enter, until recently,
has been completely shut in from
the outer world by its remote
tions. 1t was entirely out of the track of
travel and inaccessible to the south-bound
immigrant. Moreover never having been
duly advertised, many regarded it as COM
ing under the category of Mr. R. R. Cuyler's
"Pine barrens" Of Southern Georgia, but
nothing could be further from the truth
The section alluded to is the country
traversed by the
AMERICUs, PRESTON AND LUMPKIN RAIL
ROAD
A few words descriptive Of this new and
prosperous steel highway just here will be
appropriate. In several respects it possesses
n unique history. Thus the work was the
outcome of the enterprise and industry in
the main Of the citizens along the line of
route. They devised and built it by their
own individual capital and labor, and con-
tinue to operate and control the line. 1t is
absolutely independent of all outside organ
izationS or syndicates, and already pays a
profit of Is per cent. on the cost per an
num- The road which is constructed nearly
on the 32d parallel of latitude is chartered
to Savannah and Doboy. 1t has been ex-
tended westward ten miles beyond Lump
kin TO Savannah with the
CHATTAHOOCHEE RIVER,
eight miles farther on, as the objective
point. Eastward from Americas the line
has also been continued to the banks of the
Ocmulgee river at Abbeville.
From Superintendent Bass, who has been
Identified with the enterprise from its in
ception, / learn that no other road in the
state has been built at less outlay. The ex-
ravations were made perpendicularly, and
track laying went on simultaneously with
the progress of the work, the construction
trains following close behind, and supply
ing all the necessary material. At the same
time rOad-bed, trestles, culverts, etc, are
upon the most substantial basis. The cost
of the road IA narrow- gauge was only about
S. COO per mile.
From Americas to Lumpkin the route
traverSed is through one of the finest agri-
cultural districts III the state The lands
are level and fertile. not only producing
excellent crops of corn, cotton and oats,
but seem peculiarly adapted to the growth
Of vegetables, melons and grapes No
other region in the south offers greater in
ducements to the emigrant who wishes to
est bish a home for his family where good
health can be assured and a competence
and even Independence may be achieved at
4 the least expenditure of labor and money.
The clay crops out at the surface, and gals"
and unslghtly gullleS are rarely to be SEEN
As you approach Luml kin the face of the
country changes, and picturesque hills, deep
gOrges and babbling brooks greet the vision
Still the soil is exceptionally rich and luxu-
RANT fields of corn and cotton cover the
slopes and valleys and crown the nights
above them.
LUMPKIN
This beautiful inland town has always
a held its own even in the olden time, when
A railroads and the electric wire were I'M
known, as q center of health and civiliza-
ton. Its citizens were intelligent and vir-
tuOus, and their broad acres and numerous
. slaves supplied every need and luxury, leav-
ing nothing to be desired by reasonable
mortal. Escaping immediate contact with
the contending armies during the war, save
the dire results of the struggle pending re-
construction, the peace of the community
has never been disturbed. The place is To-
Gated upon spur of the
BLUE RIDGE,
which, trending south, gradually descends
into the level of the plain. l am indebted to
the Hon. K. F. Watts, the present represen-
tative in the general assembly, and who
will probably be his own successor, for the
following facts When the county of
Stewart was organized, LumpRin was laid
out in 1929. The first county site chosen by
tile inferior court was three miles east of
She town and received the name of Gilmer.
Afterward the followers of Gov Wilson
Lumpkin induced a reconsideration of the
matter by the same tribunal, and the court
actually
REVERSED ITS DECISION
and changed the location to the present site,
which was called Lumpl1in, in honor of the
governor. A better selection could not
have been made. The place is 635 feet
above the sea level, and commands mag
nlhcent views for many miles in every di-
Iection, even extending to four of the ad-
lacent counties. Jared Irwin, nephew of
the governor, and the Granthams, Wambles
ana Forts, were among the first Settlers In
1880 the first white child was born and still
survives. His name is Samuel Bedingfield.
The railroad reached the town on Feb. IS,
49, anu us duNeHJ was greeted Win every
demonstration of JOY and enthusiasm.
RAPID PROGRESS.
At that time the population was $50 and
tnere were but six stores in the place.
Now the estimate is 200, large proper
Ton oil the new corners being thrifty whites.
lhe business houses, too, have increased to
"enty In number, and they all appear to
De DONG we'll. So welded are the people
|" agricultural pursuits that it is a note
worthy fact that almost every merchant is
also farmer. The town is surrounded by
nourlshlnR fields Of corn and cotton which
promise bountiful harvest.
BUSINESS FIRMS.
The following is a list of some of the
V@,edlng houses, all of them patrons of the
MORNING NEWS:
"tnoral Merchandse-Peed& May, with
ShoN factory also attached to their store;
=. -, a. simpson, J. G. & f. s. Singer Cestab-
iSned IN 1888, Maddox & Perkins, Stathem
BeaiL Staple and Fancy Groceries-W.
r. GINS, most valuable citizen, who has
sSseu In the vicinity fifty years; z.
ra"yer who is also the owner of the best
~efcnant mill in Southwest Georgia. The
~s.,sr ~ former days sent his wheat all the
va. way rom Cuthbert TO be ground at his
~ ampllshnent, and received in return flour
Ola we sweetest and brightest quality. The
w water wheel is still in motion
o. N '9e drug line is DR.. j. c. Patterson &
'Dl0' The doctor has nracticed madeleine