The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-08-15
ROUND AB0UTWESTP POINT
SOME ABSURD IDEAS ABOUT A
GLORIOUS COUNTRY.
How 1t 10 Growing and Why It Should
Grow-Agricultural Achievements
Healthfilness and Fertility - Fine
Educational Facilities.

Correspondence of The Appeal
WEST PoINT, Miss, Aug. 1S.-It is re-
markable what false ideas exist in the
minds of many people about the Gulf
States. Many people in the north and
northwest, for instance, think Mississippi
is one vast swamp, inhabited by negroes
and half civilized whites, and infested with
alligators, bear and panther; that the sum-
mcrs are so very hot that ii is impossible
for white men to labor out doors, even il
they supposed our white population had
any disposition to work. Only recently q
gentleman from the north came to West
Point, and when he saw our high rolling
prairies, covered with the most luxuriant
and bountiful crops, and felt the soft,
balmy breezes as they swept over the land,
causing the gigantic corn, cotton, timothy,
red top bermuda and lcspedeza to wave
cordial welcome to all, he exclaimed:
"What a revelation; | never dreamed OF
such a land !" All, so it is Mr.. Edi-
tor, many OF our northern brethren have
never dreamed OF such a land as the beau
tiful prairie region of east Mississippi.
iiNiN wv lltNN u Fbli do h'NIs 10 lIbhAlNllNt
as the richest black prairics OF Illinois, with
O climate us genial rs heart could wish.
Here we can produce everything that ILL
nois can, and hundreds Of crops that ILL
nois cannot. The thermometer never rises
nearly SO high here rs IL sometimes does
in Indiana, Illinois and States in that lati-
tudc, and of course never falls so low.
Here we can work out doors all the year
en,nI 4 haks.. a., tlna that lao
pie of Memphis know or fully appreciate
what is known as the Tombigbce valley or
east Mississippi prairie and the progress
that this section is making in all that adds
10 the prosperity and happiness of n people.
The prairie belt is about $50 miles long,
north and south, and about thirty or forty
miles wide east and west. West Point is
about the center north and south and east
and west. Coulumbus is situated about
midway north and south and rather
on the eastern border. Houston is
about on the western border. The
Memphis, Oxford 4 Columbus road will
soon run about fifty miles northwest and
southeast through this prairie passing
| Houston. Robertson, Abbott, SLOAN, West
Point, Wayerly and Columbus, and sec
ton Of country that is probably more
prosperous than any other portion OF Mis-
sssippi. The healthiulncss Of this section,
and the great fertility OF the soil, aud its
adaptability to every kind of farm, orch.
ard aud garden products have attracted an
energetic, progressive. intelligent citizen
ship, all Of whom have gone to work in
real earnest TO build up their own fortunes
aud make this section prosperous. North.
western people are now buying lands along
the various lines OF railroads that cross at
West Point. No longer is there any oni'
grafton from this part Of the state, ~ there
was all during the period OF rccunstruc-
ton, and which did 80 much to impoyoT.
ish the State. We are not only therefore
keeping all that We make, hut there Is
daily being added 10 our population and
wealth, by most worthy and desirable
class OF immigration from the north
both capital and people.
Columbus will soon have in operation I
large cotton factory, wholly built ant
equipped by Columbus capital. Yves
Point has in successful operation larg,
tile factory, a woodcnwarc and furnitur,
factory, and is putting up a canning fac
tory.
Dr. ]. NJ. Hearn, Of West Point, tool
the premium at the Worlds exposition q
New Orleans ON domestic wines. Col. I
VI. Abbott, president OF the Memphis
Oxford x Columbus railroad, took prcmi
ums at same exposition on corn, oats nnl
hay. The largest Jersey farm IN Amcric
ia that OF Col w. b. Montgomery, onl,
seven miles from West Point. There ar
more crcamerics within twenty miles q
West Point than In all the balance Of th
State. East Mississippi ships large guam
titles Of butter 90 New Orleans, Mobile
Birmingham, and the large towns an,
cities OF Florida. The largest hog and o.
ever known in the world were raised d
Lawrence county, Mississippi, about iiitec
miles from Columbus. 10y Col. Simeon ORA
The hog weighed over ! 900 pounds. ! d
not remember the weight Of the OK.
our farmers are all prosperous an
happy. The crop prospect was ncyC
better than now--.in fact the outlook for
cotton and corn crop has not been ~ goo
in twenty years West Point IL kecpin
pace with the prosperity OF the surround
ing country. aud n growing rapidly. W
arr not booming but taking Ia a soil
substantial giowth. We are almost con
, plotting $1,000 public school house, an
have elected corpse Of teachers for th
' school, the equal Oi any public schoD
! arully In the south. The teachers ~
all distinguished in their professions, an
bring 30 the discharge Of their duti,
large experience and broad. deep cultur
We are determined 10 educate our children
aud give them an equal chance with N
most fame in the mcc u life.
The very handsome new Baptist Chunl
{, Of West Point, will be dedicated soon.