The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-31
FRIARS POINT
The Site of Coahoma County, Miss.
One Of the Oldest of the River
Towns of the State.
ITS Quickened Life and the Public
Spirit of Its Citizens.
The Railroad Will Pass Through
It in Few Weeks.
Real Estate Already in Demand-Its
importance as a Commercial
Point-A Correspondents
Survey OF the City.

banks Of the great Mississippi River, about
half way between Memphis and Green
vile, in the rich Coahoma County Tho
writer reached the town by taking the
daily mail hack at Coahoma Station, from
which the distance is about seven miles.
This gave me an opportunity to traverse
small part OF one OF the richest sections OF
agricultural country on the globe. The
many large plantations on both sides Of
the road are well improved and in fine
state OF cultivation. Cotton and corn, in
spite OF want OF rain, have fairly good
stand. Everywhere activity was displayed
The shady old trees on both sides along
the road offered a welcome protection from
the rays Of the sun. After an hours drive
we approached the town, which, when first
visible in the distance, environed byshady
groves, does not appear 10 be OF great
dimensions, but the nearer we came the
larger and moro attractive II grew, with
It's many fine and comfortable residences,
its several church spires pointing heaven.
ward, and divers public buildings, broad
streets, lined with shady trees, the leyee
running in front OF the town, presenting
10 the inhabitants a most delightful prom.
enade, with picturesque view OF the Mis-
sissippi River winding itself gracefully
around the point in It's downward course.
The town covers large area, and tho
houses are, until you reach the center,
quite scattered.
Friars Point is universally considered ~
one OF the hcalthicst towns IN the Delta,
and the general health is rs good ~ any
where in the United States. This is
greatly attributable to liz peculiar location
on the river, which always allows fine
breeze, no matter how the weather or sea-
son. Another cause is that the drainage
Is fine, the soil being sandy loan, which
drains rapidly and thoroughly. The town
Is about forty years old, has always been
the county site, and society IL remarkably
good. while the people are noted for their
courtesy aud generosity and their hospi-
tally TO strangers, who always meet with
welcome here.
The number Of inhabitants Is about
500 In years past 10 at one time was
], 800. The business done by the town
was at one time enormous. For several
years il dropped OIL some, but has recently
taken new impetus, due TO different
causes, OF which the principal one Is that
the Louisville, New Orleans * Texas Rail-
way, In a few weeks, will pass through
here, continuing the Bolivar Loop from
Rosedde on. Aie- passing Frian Point
the road will 10 ON 10 Coahoma, where II
taps the main line. Several large con.
tractors are already husily at work, both
from R0sedale on Ia friars Point and from
CoahOma toward the same destination.
The manner in which the work is pro-
crossing under 80 many favorable auspices
insurcs IL rs q certainty that trains will be
running in ninety days. This road will
give Friars Point additional advantages OF
transportation, which will enable Il 10 get
its freight as cheap ~ Grecnyillc or Nicks.
burg. In order TO induce the railroad TO
come here the town, not by taxation but
by voluntary subscription OF the enter.
priring citizens, gave $4,000 TO tho rail-
road, besides depot grounds and ten miles
right OF way. Much honor aud credit tot
getting the railroad here Is due 10 Mr.. ID
A. Scott, a prominent attorney, who ha,
been indelatigablc In his efforts 20 defeat
several counter efforts, and who final!
won.
Alr. Scott has for Yeas been the lcadInI
spirit In everything tending 10 benefit an,
advance the interests OF Friars Point an,
Of the county at large, aud his fellow cili
Eens greatly appreciate his course. lie Z
man OF brains, spirit, energy and vii
powcr, and lac would be a credit 10 an.
community.
The advent Of the railroad has at one
called forth a general spirit OF stir and en-
terprise. A bank with a capital stock Z
$4,000 is almost certainty; several pro
posals have been received Tor the crccto
OF an oil mill lo be- ready for this year
crop. Real estate has ut once come Int
demand, some sales have already bee
made and Others negotiated for, by bot
home people aud outsiders. ] would her
state from personal knowledge that th
people Of friars Point and vicinity AZ
anxious for good settlers 10 come int
their midst, and 10 any such they Off
lands or town lots or improved propcrl
at reasonable prices, different from sou
towns getting on boom, which seat
purchasers off by cXorbitant prices. n
people here want good settlers; they ,
not want Ia speculate or create iictitiol
values, and, furthermore. the town Is NJ
owned by few, but properly
In the hands Of large nut
Der The landing, with 70,
whanbolt and warehouse, Is about 3
yards from the center Of town, while d
site Ui the depot is In distance Of 4
yards The town Is we'll laid out Il
streets wide aud large, and as soon M u
railrUad comes the streets will at once
constructed with gravel or plank aud oil
new plank sidewalks laid. the railroad ha
Ing offered 10 deliver gravel at cost.
spacious shed for cotton and cotton sc
will also Immediately boz built near 4
depot Among the public buildings arr
- Catholic, d Methodist aud Baptist churu
good schoolhousc, a very good aud n,
looking courthouse and line new bri
Jail recently built aud with all the lat
improvements, splondidly furnish
spacious Masonic Hail. which IL also %.
BY the knights OF pythas lodge. 4
Masonic lodge has always been very slro
and numerous here, and the Knights
Pythias, who now have a membeuhip
over sixty, are daily increasing In ma
bers. Tie city has an excellent COVE
ncnt and no debt. The city officials d
Mayor, John A. suddolh; Board Of AID
men, y. A. Scott, Dr. j. A. Cooper :.
Chisln, s. n. Allen, J. y. Rodgers, Cas-
bell flagg and Dave Moore.
- The Methodist pastor Is the Row. G.
Il Owen, the Baptist the Rev. w. l.. SD
The Catholics have for some time had
pastor, but expect 10 get ono In the o
future
The bar Is composed OF the follow
excellent gentlemen; ID. A. Scott, III
Yerger and Fitzgerald & Maynard.
physicians arc ORA !. A. Cooper
Slack and J. Dexter Shinklc. ~
Point Is also the residence OF the U