The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1895-03-15
Off For Canton,
Something About the Place Down In Mis-
sissippi Which the Ottumwa Delaga-
tion Will Visit In a Few Days.

tion Will Visit In a Few Days.
If Major Spilman and his son Hol,
who is now making good money ON his
farm at Canton, Miss, are allowed to
continue their glowing descriptions cf
Madison county, Miss, Ottumwa and
the surrounding country is likely to be
depopulated. A Courier representa-
live on his recent trip stopped at Can
ton, and had he remained more than
short hour between trains, it is quite
probable that he would have been as
completely hypnotized and would have
surrendered and become a citizen of
Mississippi. The Courier man was
met hy a delegation consisting of L.
Foot, president of Mississippi State
Bank, with a capital of 100000, r. W.
Durfey, real estate agent, A. P. Hill.
mayor and successful planter, VIM.
Yandell, mem Der of the city council
and rich farmer, Capt. J. Fl. johnson,
real estate and life insurance agent,
Capt. j. NJ. Randall, formerly of this
city, and r. d. Splman. who is famil-
iarly known as "Hol." A drive about
the city easily convinces anyone that
these gentlemen have abundant reason
for the faith that is in them and that
they are exceedingly fortunate in
their location. A cursory glance show
ed at once that the people were thrifty
and industrious. The city of Canton
is the capital of Madison county, one
of the most fertile in the great state of
Mississippi On the hurried trip about
the city the Courier representative dis
covered that it has population of B.
500 which gives promise of being doub-
led in the next five years. 1T has two
banks, that of President Foot, the
Mississippi State Bank. being loca-
ted in as sumptuous quarters as any
bank in Ottumwa The Canton Ex-
change is also strong and t1ourishing
monetary institution. There are six
churches, good schools. and a new and
commodius school house is pow in pro-
cess of erection. A fine court house
adorns the square in the center of the
city and when the trees are in their
verdure of green it is one of the most
beautiful places in the south. 1t al
ready boasts of fine hotel but new
one even more elaborate is in process
of construction on the west side. There
are two newspapers, one daily, and
the most complete meat market and
similar mercantile establishments in
the state. While these gentlemen are
proud of their city, they are more
proud of the county, for they know 1t
can be developed into a verita bic gar
den, it is only awaiting sober and
steady and intelligent agricultural in
dustry. They hail with joy the advent
of every Northern man of means, or
every Northern man who wants farm
for genuine farming purposes. They
want genuine farmers and not specu-
lators, and they are getting them fast
Mr. Durfey was found to be one of the
most companionable and wide-awake
men met in the south He has hearty
bluff. honest way which at once reveals
his genuineness. Banker Foot is an
ther man like him. lie is the hamlet
in the play of Hamlet as far as Canton
is concerned. Mayor Hill is just the
man for the place and is satisfactory
executive as well as a shrewd. ccnser-
tive business man. VIM. Gandei is
farmer, a big farmer, who owns'a good
many places, is an excellent judge OF
and and knows how to deal with farm
,rs. When Others failed to sell Messrs.
Morrison and Abrahams, of this sec
ion, Mr.. Yandel did it. The farmers
Who go to Canton on the excursion to-
morrow night will do well to look him
10, and will be glad to know that there
$ "a capable farmer there ready and
to go with them anywhere in
he county. Capt. johnson is an ur-
zane aud courteous gentleman. and
vervone here knows what sort of Gods
lobleman Capt. Randall and Hol Spill
nan are. The excursionists who leave
ere tomorrow night for Canton are
ertain of a most royal and hospitable
eception. and the Courier commends
hem to any of the above gentleman.
rho will take pleasure in giving them
II the information possible.-ottumwa
ourier.