New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
ABANDONED SOUTHERN TOWNS
From The Atlanta Constitution


At the confluence of the Broad and Savannah Rivers
IN Ebert County, In the latter part OF the eighteenth
century, stood cry thai thrcaiencd to IVA Ansns,a
as a trading point. This city was named Peeis-
burg ard before It's decay Was As w5i hnO"n a Is
Atlanta to-day Across Broad River In Lincoln
County, at the same time that Petersburg was In
the zenith OF IFS glory located riva town named
Lisbon. whilo on the Carolina side was third city,
and by far the best business point Then came
Vienna and next Lisbon. 49,,
thought b.. the b. ad o navigation on the savannah
River, and promised TO be paces OF conslderaole mpof
lance. They located long before the days OF
cotton and steamboats,, when tobacco was tho great
staple OF this section of the country and navigation
Of the Savannah was by railroads cannot learn Ia
what year these Old towns were first laid out, but
# must have been shortly after the Revolutionary
War. for in the old grave yard are seen monu-
mens dating back century.
These three dead towns have always been an In
terestng study to me, and during recen, visit to
thai locality / tried to learn something about their
recent his tory. One gentleman told me that sixty QUO
years ago an old lady friend of his said she attended
a grand bali In petersburg Then there thirty
three stores IN the place and Il wa; then ON the Dc
authentic nforma 'on in regard the early history
Of the town. for the Oldest citizen can only remember
scattering families inhabied IT, The town built
on a broad strip OF alevial botionland. surrounded
by an amphitheaire OF hills All business was trans
acted on Sngc street that passed through the centre
of the place. The surrounding heights were chosen
The sites for residences, and was shown All old red
Knoll that sold Or Sl5 900 Lisbon OutlVed both
Petersburg and Vienna doubtless owing to the fact
that it was bult ON more elevated aud healthy site.
brick buildings, but was the first out of the three TO
decay.
Tho descrlion OF Petersburg is attributed to two
causes One. that the introduction of cotton com
petey revoluiionzed the trad Of this country and It.
cOnld not compete with Augusta. The principal
business OF Petersburg had been tobacco, which was
packed I'm stout hogshcads. set OF shafts at ached
thereto, and the same pulled to market By pony or
steer With the Introduction of cotton the bale Were
easter Transported, and hence more distant markets
sought.
Another reason for the abandonment OF the town,
and for which there doubtless ground is that
the place very sicky and visited every summer
by an epidemic of malahal Diseases To-day there Il
sign left of what once three fourishins towns
except the halfl cellars and wells surrounded by
a thicket OF china and mulberry trees
What was once the ourlshlng city OF Petersburg IS
now occupied by Captain Csde as a cotton field and
stock farm. Lands that sold by the foot and
streets that were throng"d with busy tradesmen
are now given 10 the more peaceful and quiet
pursuits OF agriculture Had The curse of God fallen
upon this town. It's obteratiOn from the face Of the
cart could not have been more complete. Liter
ally, not Is left upon another. nor does q
single vestige of the old habit ations remain. Until
two or three years ago one OF the original houses
stood in Lisbon and Mr.. Du Busc who now
merchandise at that point, tells me. the timber Of
which II was built seemed almost lndestructible.