The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-06-14
AN ARKANSAS TOWN.
THE RISE, PROGRESS AND PROSPER
ITY OF NEWPORT.
How the Railroads Have Cut Down the
River Traffic and Made Some Cities
While Undoing Others Personal
Mention.

Correspondence Of The Appeal.
NEWPORT, Ark, June l2-Looking at
the steamer Chickasaw making landing
at this place Saturday called up memories
OF steamboating on White river in the long
ago when Capts, j. Riley Jones, Thomas
son, Abner Baird, Daugherty, Elliott,
Joyce and others brought to and took away
from the Memphis wharf valuable cargoes
every week. The White river trade was
money to Memphis nj ihose DAYS. Now
all is changed, there being but one boat
The Chickasaw, Capt. Postal-plying the
waters OF White river to Memphis, The
railroads cross the river so numerously that
the pilot OF the Chickasaw has 10 keep
one continuous sounding of the whistle TO
the draw-bridge tenders to open the pas
sage. Capt. W. A. Joyce, one of the few
survivors OF the boating trade in White
river, is one OF the leading druggists of
Newport, he having abandoned the river
for something more lucrative several years
ago. He will be remembered by many old
Memphans, having been born in the good
Bluff City, and is known also 10 many
river men on the Mississippi, on which
stream his license as pilot extended.
When the st. Louis & Iron Mountain rail-
road tapped the country, then il was that
a change came over il, and the greater por-
ton OF the trade of this section turned to-
ward st. Louis. That city made bid for
the trade, captured it and is now holding
TO il with death grip, but our Iron Noun.
tain branch is loosening that grip, and all
things considered Memphis is coming to
the front again and turning the trade to-
ward itself very encouragingly. Your
correspondent has observed how railroads
make and unmake towns, and even cities.
But 10 return to this lively town OF New
port, which up TO recent period WIS
noted for its numerous Sap holes"
| thanks to the prohibitionist's work now q
dry town., you can see real representa-
tive little city. All the business houses
are brick constructed. A baptism of fire
several years ago swept the wooden shan
ties, and the rc.builders chose more sub
stantial material. The Batcsville & Brink
ley marrow gouge" nothing narrow
about its gouge), crosses the Iron
/ Mountain here and terminates ut Jack
sonport, where the shrill toot OF the
locomotive reminds the denizens Of that
| place il Is time 10 rise and 90 about their
daily duties. Tho owners OF this road are
talking about making il a standard guagc
soon. The grip" boys would be glad II
the mileage tariff was also made stand
ard"
Among the prosperous merchants Of
! Newport Ia Mr.. T. J. Watson whom
knew in his boyhood when he attended
Prof. Rousseau's school at Bartlett, during
the war. The slim Tom Watson Of those
days has developed into the "rotund'
Watson OF today, who has an interesting
family, his oldest daughter, Miss Kate,
having jus, returned from Columbia,
Tenn, institute, graduating with the high
est honors last week. Miss Katc's valedic-
tory address was brilliant production.
She was the recipient OF numerous con-
gratulations and proiusion Of exquisite
floral tributes. She has many admirers.
The citizens Of Newport are hopeful and
encouraged at the prospect OF the location
in their town Of the repair shops OF thi,
division Of the Iron Mountain railroad
Speaking OF "dry" towns and places, ~.
minds me OF the minstrel Wilson's remark
lie was asked II hc knew what prohibi
ton was. "lcs," he replied, shipping
whisky in Jugs" A short time afterward
/ counted seyenty-lye jugs scaled and con.
signed to citizens In the vicinity Of Cotton
Plant, in the express office there.
There are some a. fertile lands along
White river as are to be found in the
south. oil Trough bottom, contiguous "a
Newport is noted for It's productive quail
titles. Messrs. Porter K McCrca, Of your
city, have branch house At OIL Trough.
Newport sent large delegation 10 the
National Democratic convention, which
returned with their bandanas conspicu
Gus.
The Stockholders association OF Jack
son county numbers some Of the mosl
progressive citizens OF the State, Mai. l..
Minor, Dr. X. T.. Watson, Col. J. T. Hen
derson, Capt Geo. X. Stevens, T. :. SO
yens, Vim Buford, w. J.. Mcdonald, 4
J. Watson and Others are foremost in
breeding fine cattle, horses, sheep an,
hogs They will make IL profitable.
Copious rains have fallen In this sector
In the last week, and the crops are beauti
iul 10 look upon. II. l.. T.
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