The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-12
A NEW ENGLANDEE's CHANCE.
Hon. Daniel Nssdhan's Visit to Sa-
vennah % Years AGO.

1 Among the prominent men who will be
in attendance upon the congress is Hon.
/ Daniel Needham, OF Boston, Mass, who
/ arrived yesterday morning from Wash
ingtoh with his wife
MIR Needham has been identified with
the farming interests Of the country, AMI
particularly of his section, Throughout
long life besides having led an active
business and political career. He has
/ been president Of the New England Agri-
cultural Society since its orgaui alton in
1868. This is ra,Ogui ed as the leading
agricultural body of New England. An
nIal fairs are held in some one OF the six
New En- Eldud states being shifted from
one state to another at intervals Of two or
three wears.
In 1888 Mr.. Needham moved from Mas
sachusetts 10 Vermont, where he had pur-
chased a large farm. He took quite a
prominent stand in bis new home and was
a member Of the STATE legislature for sew
eral years. In 1853 he was sent by the
state Of Vermont to the international eX-
position at Hamburg in charge of the
Vermont exhibit. He succeeded in win
ming for Vermont the premium on high
bred MerinO sheep, which turned the at
tention of the sheep raisers Of the world
TO Vermont and made fortunes for the
farmers of that state.
After the war Mr. Needham returned
TO Massachusetts, and was for several
years a mem Der Of the legislature of that
state. In 1870 he was appointed by the
Grant administration national bank eX
aminer for Massachusetts, which position
he held until after Mr.. Cleveland S first
administration. He has since that time
devoted his attention exclusively to his
extensive interests, which are largely
agricultural.
This is Mr.. Needhams first to Savan-
nah since 1870, when he came here to in
vestigate a proposition made him by an
Augusta syndicate for the purchase of
100,0 600 acres of land lying along the then
Atlantic and Gulf railroad, now the Sa-
Vannah, Florida and Western railway.
The land lay in alternate lots along the
railroad between Savannah and Jackson
vile. larger part being in Florida. The
syndicate offered the land for $4,000
Mr.. Needham Tered So, 900, which
ofer was declined. He afterwards
split the difference, and offered $37 800,
which offer was taken under consider
alton, After his return home the syndi-
cate wired him that they would accept
his last offer. He had, however, given up
the idea
"The country was absolutely undevel-
oped, 90 said Mr.. Needham, in speaking Of
the incident. "There were no roads, no
stock Of any kind, no productions TO main
TAIN STOCK aTLeF IL was DrOu4nt INTO Lnc
country, and no labor to be had except the
free negroes, who were little better than
none al all. At Palatka, Fla, 1 could not
obtain a glass of milk, because there were
no cows in the country. Added to all
this the south was then in a state of po-
litical turmoil and confusion, and the
bottom rail was on top. The land was
beautifully timbered, but the prospe Is
were so discouraging that | was unwilling
10 purchase even at the low price of 800
cents an acre.
The land which was offered Mr. Need
ham for 37;5 cents an acre twenty three
years ago is now worth several hundred
thousand dollars, and produces annually
large amounts of lumber, naval stores
and farm products
Mr.. Needham said his stay in Savannah
in 1870 was short, but 1t made q very
pleasant impression upon him. He par
ticularly remem bered the pretty squares
with the old fashioned pumps in every
one, He noticed in walking around the
city yesterday that the pumps were gone,
but the squares are pr5ttier than ever
The city has made wonderful pro-
gress since l saw it in 1870" said MIR.
Needham