The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-02-22
WHITE AGRICULTURISTS.
LAUDABLE UNDERTAKING OF THE
L., N. o. g. T. RAILWAY COMPANY.
It's Land Commissioner Authorized to La
Dor for the Development of the Fertile
Hill Country Between vioksburg and
Baton Rouge-Western Inquirers.

The land Of bright skies, genial temper :
ature and fertile soil will yet TEEN with |.
pop,ilace OF intelligent, thrifty and syste- !
matte agriculturists. That it he not done ,,
30 before, Is one Of the wonders OF the
century, especially TO those {
who know and appreciate its wonderful
resources and advantages. The particular
section destined to receive especial atten-
tion from the class referred to, is the vast
region of virgin fertility known rs the
lower Mississippi valley or delta. Up to
within comparatively few years ago the
thousands OF acres holding within their
bosoms massive fortunes, constituted an
almost unbroken wilderness. The greater
portion OF this mighty expanse was
fayorite resort for hunters and trappers OF
the larger game-deer, bear, panther,
wildcat and other wild animals OF the game
and dangerous type found in the iungles
and heavy timber safe retreats.
When the Louisville, New Orleans &
Texas railroad was first discussed, only
few years since. those familiar with the
wild and lowland region through which it
was proposed TO run the line, pointed TO
the scheme as one Of the giddy fantasies OF
the unwise enthusiast. In addition to the |
innumorable perils from beast and disease,
surrounding the labor, there were still |
greater ones and enormous expense at |
tending the securing Of even possibly |
safe road-bed. The projectors asked for |
no subsidy, however, from this end Of the |
line, at least, and the general public was |
given no opportunity TO break the work OF |
construction with doubts and misgiviDgs. |
Surveys were rapidly followed by active |
building operations, and in due course of |
time the Trunk line hence TO New Orleans |
vast brown open 10 traffic, completed the |
extreme southern extension OF the Hunt |
ington system, or Newport News & Mis-
sissippi Valley railroad. Since then there
has been steady revolution going on in |
the character Of the country it opened up.
Farms have been cleared and placed in
high state OF cultivation, yielding annually
thousands Of bales OF cotton, plentiful
supplies Of corn and other agricultural
products. Young but ambitious aud
promising villages and towns have been
created nj short distances all along the
line, the whole presenting a translorma-
ton delightful 10 contemplate by the peo-
pie Of the south.
One Of the first efforts OF the railroad
company after getting its trains moving
over the line with satisfactory regularity,
was 10 make known the great possibilities
oi the region through which il passed.
Between this city and Nicksburg the lands
are heavily tmbered, but being rapidly
improved To a certain class of farmers.
Of the hardy pioneer stamp, there Is
peculiar fascination in entering upon and
developing such lands, and there has been
rush. OF immigration, both white and
colorcd. Attention Is now more paricu-
larry directed by the railroad authorities TO
that lying between Vicksburg and Baton
Rouge. On the Sth Of February last, Mr..
q. W. Mciinnis, land commissioned the
Valley road, wrote a. follows 10 the Nicks-
burg Commercial bddld:
"rhe Louisville. New Orleans 4 Texas
Railway company, desiring TO promote
white emigration 10 It's line Of road, have
authorized me 10 accept for sale from
private individuals lands adjacent 20 their
line between Vicksburg and Baton Rouge
Having many inquiries from the white
residents OF the north and northwest, |
think large number Of good class OF
white settlers can be secured for this soc
ton. would he pleased 10 have parties
desiring 10 cell their land, In whole or In
part, 10 communicate with me ct Mem
phis."
Commenting on this letter the CoD@a-
ciai Herald says
There IL a field for the promotion Of
tho public good IN this enterprise preached
by Mai. McGinnis, Of even morc moment
than the work of his road in rcscuing the
delta black lands" from the overflow and
.iTecting their settlement. Tho line OF
country referred 60 In the quoted letter Is
perfectly adapted 10 the prcsc nee aud pur-
suits Of small twhitc) farmers. The scheme
il more than feasible, u Is promising. We
believe that thosc now owning the hill
country between the two points named,
and the immigrants with whom II u de-
signed 10 I'll the demand for land culti'
yators and owners viii bless the agency
Of the Valley road in transicrringthe negro
population thcrcirum to the delta, the only
land In the south, except the rice
country, which can successfully stand
their wascful and thriftlcs methods 81
cotton growing. We know the character
ol he hill country of the river counties
between the YaEOo and the Louisiana
line. And We arc confident that With Z
combined system of stock raising and grain
ana grnss growing, under such n class o.
holders ~ are found In the south, prosper
ity and plenty will be the certain result
That country In well nigh abandoned by
its negro labor. We shall watch Will
deep interest the movement for liz rcscitlc
mcnt by white people, under the auapiccs
of the Louisville, New Orleans x Texil
railroad"
An APPnsL reporter called at the olHc'
of Mr. McGinnis yesterday 20 learn tia
nature Of and mode Of procedure In dc
yeloping his undertaking. Mr. Mctlinni
was not In the city, but q gentleman con
ncctcd with the Office fully but bric1
related all the facts bearing upon u
origin and the hopcd.ior result Bciwccl
Vicksburg and Baton Rouge, them or
thousands upon thousands II acres Of Jail
land, Of excellent location and fertility
These were divided into large farms, VI
owners Of which wew what n termed Ian
poor" In other words, the settlement
were not thick, and the farmers ownc
n,oru than they could cultivate. Commi'
rioner Mc(innis had received at lcW
1900 letters Of inquiry from Dakota an
other cold and blizard-cuned westcr
States. The writers stated that they WEI
tired IL the climatic hardships 10 whic
they were subjected out there, and desire
70 settle in the genial and fertile Mi&i
sipi valley. The best tho commission,
has been able to do, heretofore, has bee
Ia mail them pamphlets descriptive
the unimproyed lands belonging
the railroad company between Meu
phis and Vicksburg These wesicr
farmers do not care 10 emigra
10 a Wild timberci country. hence paid n