The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-05-01
MEMPHIS.
1RINCELY HOSPITALITY AND BRIGHT
PROSPECTS OF GREATNESS.
Zone Of the Things Observed During q
Recent Visit to the Bluff City-A
Few Facts that Indicate Its Future
Greatness.
From the chnttanooga Tlmcs.

some thirty or forty editors in the State
who attended the recent meeting OF the
Press association there who will cordially
indorse and conoborate the statement. 1t
is great city, too in more ways than one,
and no one can more readily and under
standingly say this than the stranger who
tarries long enough within lis borders to
make an intelligent investigation.
First and foremost ii is great in its hos
pitalities, and this is generally an indica-
ton OF thrift, prosperity and progress
Never was a body Of men more royalty
treated than the members of the press on
the occasion Of their recent meeting in
that city. Not only was there an ampli-
tude of good things for the cheer
and comfort OF the inner man, which is
usually the sum and substance of
entertainment afforded visiting bodies
in other cities, but there was cor
diality Of welcome, genuineness of feel
ing that marked the courtesies extended
as hospitality pure and simple. Every
public body opened its doors, printed in
vitntions were sent 10 individual members
from most of the city institutions; private
houses were thrown open, the city itself
was turned over and all We'd with each
other to entertain the stranger guests with
III their gates. Never before did this rs.
ISOLATION meet with such a handsome re-
ception, and it will be long day when
the delights OF that three days visitation
are forgotten.
In another way Memphis is great-in is
commercial growth and prospects. II has
been only ten short years since the bosom
vi n terrible pestilencc decimated the pop
ulation, destroyed its trade and paralyzed
all lines of business. The outside world
looked upon the stricken city MS cesspool
OF death-dealing malaria, and immigration
and investments avoided il rs eilectually
as though il were the home Of the deadly
upas
But the people never lost their pluck Of
their enterprise, and they began the strug-
gle with obstacles with the determination
and persistence that was bound TO win.
From population Of $1,000 in 1879 il has
grown TO city OF 80, 900, more than doub-
ling itself within ten years. There are
within the limits OF the city iorty-ivc
miles of excellent sewers, making Il one
OF the best drained cities in the United
States. Besides this II has forty miles OF
sub-soil drain pipe, twenty.thrcc miles OF
stone pavement and a thorough system Of
garbage carts The water company has
sixty miles Of mains and supply pipes and
the street railroad companies have
forty miles of railway i'm oper-
alton, besides seventeen miles of
steam street railway. There are. more
over, thirty miles OF macadamized subur-
ban turnpkes leading into the city from
the various points in the county Most of
these extensive institutions have been
built aud perfected within the past ten
years. One hundred thousand bales Of
cotton were considered few Year, ago rs
magnificent showing OF Memphis cotton
business, but this sinks into insignilicancc
in face Of the reports for 1887 which show
that during that year 100000 bales were
received, and the chamber of commerce
statistics so iar this year indicate that for
the year 1888 she viii receive in the vicin-
ity OF 100000 bales. The banking capt.
tai has increased the past year nearly 100
per cent, while the volume OF immigra.
ton is steadily growing.
Situated ON the banks OF the great father
OF waters, the grand dictator OF tnnsporta-
ton rates, in the center OF a great cotton
belt and easily accessible 10 the great agri.
cultural regions, east, west, north and south;
with progressive, vigorous and entorpris.
ing citizenship, there is nothing now that
can hold Memphis back.
Memphis may soon claim Justly TO be-
one OF the healthicst cities on the CONT
ncnt. She has now the best sewerage sys-
TEN in the South, and the recent discovery
OF pure water within 800 and 500 feet OF
the surface Of the earth, she may now with
all confidence throw down the gauntlet 10
all OF her rivals and claim prestige In all
things that go to make busy, busting,
thriving commercial city.
In order 10 provide an ample supply OF
7.
inches in diameter, have been sunk 10 the
distance OF from 400 20 500 feet. An
abundant supply OF water has been found
each Of these wells flowing over 100000
gallons of water daily. A chemical
analysis OF the water shows Il 10 be nearer
10 the purity Of distilled water than
any other NATURAL water In the known
world. II IL intended 20 connect
all these wells by n system OF pipes, empty
the water into one mammoth basin on
reservoir and from there pump IL into the
city through a siandpipe. Tho work oil
pcrieciing this plan Is now being vigor.
Ously pushed, aud in less than twelve
month the malolorous and malarious water
OF Wolf river will be shut of, and the
beverage OF life will he exchanged for that
OF disease and death.
Memphis is already assuming metropoli
itnn proportions. Handsome structures six,
seven and eight stories high arc going up
> while now residence roofs may be seen al
almost every turn.
The Gayoso hotel, which was formerly
an old torn down hospital building, has
been fitted up into a palaiial building ioI
hotel purposes, riyaling in all Of iB ap
pointments Of any public house In the
south, and the excellence OF cuisine ia,
best In the whole land. The management
has been exceedingly fortunate In lis ~
lection Of clerks, none In the land bcinl
more polite, accommodating and courtroom
than Mr.. Van Lccr, who stands par ex
ccllencc prince among hotel men.
There are other handsome and well
appointed hotels eyidcncing the metropol
itan proportions the city Is rapidly assum
ing.
TO suN ".
Memphis was n revelation 10 lis guests
It's two female schools, one presided owe
by Miss Conway and the other by Mis-
lligbce, both handsomely supported b.
the wealth aud intelligence OF the city, mr.
monuments 30 the culture and social al
vnncement Of the city. Beside these In
public schools are Handsomely maintained
All Of lis enterprises ana pushed iorwar
with that dash and energy that nj one
denote an active, thrifty business popula
ton, while every man has become thoI
oughly embued with the spirit Of patriot
ism and sing the praises Of Memphis q
loudly and boastiully ~ ever did Chats