Asheville daily citizen., 1894-08-25

were personally complimcnted by Presi-
dent Davis, and were as full OF zeal for
our noble cause as when .hey first en-
listed. They were selected among others
as President Davis escort to Mississippi,
escorting him as far as Washington, Ca,
where they were me. by Federal troops,
and Mr.. Davis advised that all the troops
be surrendered, dividing all the money
he had among his men-$2S so to each
man. But for the wise counsel of their
beloved President, those noble veterans
of many a battlefield would have died
in their tracks before surrendering their
great leader. Mr.. Davis. as is well
known, attempted to make his wav
across the Mississippi without troops
These events occurred about two weeks
after General Lees surrender at Apo
mattox. Captain Atkinson returned
home and resumed the study OF law,
which he had begun prior to his entering
the army, and was admitted to the bar
in 1868. He practiccd law for several
years at Asheville. In 1870 he bought
out THE ASHEvILLE CITIZEN newspaper,
which he edited and published nearly
three years.
| THE CITIZEN was then, we believe, the
only Democratic newspaper published i'll
the State west OF Charlotte.
In 1873 he sold the paper and moved
to his farm on the Swannanoa river,
eight miles above Ashc vile, and engaged
in the cultivation OF fine fruit, having the
finest fruit farm in Western North Caro-
lima, consisting of over 2300 fruit trees.
Captain Atkinson practically demon
stratcd the great possibilities of fruit cul-
ture in this State. He exhibited speci-
mems OF his fruit at all the State and ma
tional expositions. and won the medal
at the Philadelphia Centennial, and the
Marshal Pinkney Wilder medal at Balti-
more in 1877. This medal was awarded
him for the exhibition of 100 specimens
of the finest apples in the United States
and Canada, and was said by a Balti-
more paper to have been the finest speci.
mems of apples ever exhibited in the
world. Captain Atkinson closely stud.
led the cultivation OF fruit, and cutiva-
ted on a scientific basis, and was amply
rewarded by rich harvest; and to him
more than any other man, is due the
credit of demonstrating the wonderful
possibilities of fruit growing as paying
industry in North Caroline.
In 1878 Captain Atkinson was elected
to represent Buncombe county in the
General Assembly. During that session
special efforts were made to reduce State
Expenditures. Captain Atkinson intro
duccd and championed a resolution under
the operation of which reduction o
$3.50 900 was made in State expendi
turcs. AS an impressive, ready public
speaker, Captain A. has but few supcri
ors in the State
In 1882 he sold his farm and moved tc
Asheville, and engaged in the real estate
business. And the writer believes he il
sufficiently modest in the statement tha,
: Captain Atkinson, since locating il
Ashcvillc, has done more a dozen times
over to develop and build up that cit.
than any other man in it. 1t was mainl,
, through his Efforts that the Graded
schools OF Asheville were established
And to his persistent efforts is largcl,
due the establishment of the Ashevill
$ sewage system and the electric stree
g. railway. Captain Atkinson is one o
those aggressive and sagacious business
men, who are ever grasping opportuni
ties that Others fail to see. aud develop
! ing resources that Others fail toiind, ant
;. is blessing to any community. lie wa
j. married in February, 1898, to Mis-
n Harriet n. accomplished daughter .
, Israel and Mary Baird of Ashevile. IL
!. them have been born II children, viz
c Matt b., Edward b.. Charles b., Mar,
i r., Frederick b., deceased, Hugh II
= Phillip g., Emma j., Lille d., Paralce v
r Edith and Charlotte Il. Captain Atkin
son and family arc members OF the Nj. L
d church. South.
c HIS Later Years.
i Oflate years, and especially for In
h last eighteen months, Capt. Atkinson
d health has not been good. lie has cor
$ Injured, however, 50 iaras he was able
: perhaps more 80 than his heath woul
IL warrant to take an active interest
his own as well as in public matter!
He visited THE CITIZEN office only tw
II or three days ago to have good wor
=. said, if possible, for friend in whose b.
i half he had unsclfshly interested hlmsel
" He seemed then to be in about his usu;
L health, and no one would have suspcctt
Y that his end was SO near.