Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1893-07-08
Memphis. Ala.

" ''""'0' ''"'' Il CENTURY HIS passed.
anu is numbered with by gone DAYS
since the Wallis built the first cabin.
and it requires Il more versatile pcn
than mine TO gather cvcn,s in tangible
torn to givca history @cyentful and
interesting, which surrounds this old
town, situated on n commanding bluff,
on the west bank Of the upper Tom.
bixbcc river. Names which arc prom.
incnt in the annals OF the past, Wallis.
Gresham, lycy, ilinoman, Graham, are
gone; only II scattering dcccndpnl here
and there TO recall some of the Incl
lcnts. thrilling and m0mcntous, which
transpircd during the prosperous an.
ic-bolIum days, and earlier post,bcl.
Ium times. but, long since exhausted
by The peculiar energy OF inventive
man.
The facilities of travel for this sec.
ton were confined to steam boats, un.
til recent years, and Memphis, was
HE depot for south shipments, and
thousands OF bales Of cotton, found
he way here from off interior places,
either Alabama east, or Mississippi
west. The dcsirabilityof her location
and trade, encouraged every charac-
ter vi business, and it sounds like an
Arabian tale, to hear of the fabulous
fortunes that were made upon this
hill, years ago. Blocks OF pretcntions
buildings once adorned what is now a
vacant spot, and amlsemcnts Of va.
rions kinds were encouraged to slim
ulatc the ovcrwotked merchant or III.
dustrious planter, Industrial pnr.
suits were not neglected, as reputable
| schools, under the administration of
| scholarly instructors, were prominent.
| Each home sustained libraries, filled
| with classical, and standard English
and French authors, and tho portly
dignliicd host, social. genial, well read.
extensively travelled, both in oul
country and Europe, courteous anu
gcntlcmanlv, entertained his guests
rovally-lrom sidc.board to parlor.
The hostess skilled in every detail OF
housekeeping, accomplished, artistic
and fluent in conversation, and mis-
,ress of the hospitablc mansion, richly
appointed, was not i whit behind her
ro,al Benedict. To-day, find Mem
phis much robbed of her former
greatness. Death has removed many
landmarks, and time has changed hei
materially. Railroads have competed
with the navigable streams and made
it possible for business to be drawn
from her banks, and the shrek OF the
locomotive upon bands of steel, have
caused the palace steamers OF lower
rivers, to seek other waters, and con
seoucntly tho towns felt the change
and the brisk, energetic, go.aheaf
railroad towns, absorbed the rive
villages and now Memphis is place
of the past. There is some cnere.
still lingering and Notwithstanding al
proyidential intcrferenccs, inundation
and rains she still lives.
Mr., A. ii. Cooper, the merchan
prince, still PHYS the stick and steel
ward and his extensive store hons
v ould do credit to a place with grea'
or population, and Notwithstanding
hard times his customers are many.
:. Mrs. Bessie N. McCarty has a TAI
trade and IL very good stock,
$ Dir. j. B Parker. the genial posi-
master. is as clever n 6 'ntleman d
ever licked q stamp, and when IN
whitc.pine.box.club of irresistible ca
r pcnters perch their avoirdupois upo
counters. chairs, etc.-ot whom nor
: sit higher than your scribe, includlr
6 Messrs. Moechett, Minis, furnel
" White and Spann, tthe fisherman b
ing absent at this writing) it is the
when the execution and adminlstr'
tive excellence of ye P. NJ. is:..exhib
ted. l.. G. as dispenser OF genuine ne"
Misses Jennie and Annie Woo
ward, as leaders in good things q
r sisted by Mcsdames A. H. Cooper al
W. Cockrell, P. Coleman, H. Brew
and J.. B, Parker. keeps the Saba
school alive and MI. Eddie Prewitt
orpuuist encourages the INTEREST,"
.. sixty.fi xo to punctually put in the
~ appearance at 10 a. IN each Oh
,e day, guided by the venerable Cup.
= intenlcut, Mr.. Jas. Purnell and his c
N helper Mr.. J.B Parker.
:. The crops are better than 'uppos
:, a fortnight ago and the prospect !
- corn and cotton is more hatterihs
ne this writing, ..
~ Asa chirograpcr my solourn he
~ Is limited aud tor the many iasors =
tended none merit more a''on'.
=, than Mrs. II. L. Prcwitt whose NJ
Ia. office as hostess leaves and imprint
satisfaction i%ncffaccablc. The CT
ho nary complete, cuisine perfect eu'o
Wholesome and tho rooms cosy u
=; homeliko. To the patrons anu IN
children, my pupils, have no ies'
,;on in commencing them TO
~. world as good, kind clever ci'lzc
y, and industrious, diligcnt learners
y" j. +. MARQUIS