The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1895-08-15

EMuNql /AV UENWH the river can scarce be
fGfsTNl'El tH4 seen from its streets;
FTN Eli and many times the
wv boats which still oc-
casionally pillow that muddy stream pass
by without catching glimpse of the dull,
sleepy little hamlet The town is iii
valley, or rather lap Of land, among high
hills, with just narrow, obhque
opening between two ridges, revealing
the broad bosom of the river to view,
and is one Of the quietest places in
the whole world. A small brook glides by
the village, with just murmpr enough to
lull oneto rcpose; and from the streets the
notes OF the quail can be hoard, accompa-
nicd by the tapping of the woodpeclscr,
just as they were 8 century before the foot
Of the white man trod their sacred haunts.
Turley Point was in a state of helpless
decay Long before the days of railroads,
it, being steamboat landing, seemed to
evince some signs of prosperity, and had
grown and thrivcd, but when tho railway
began TO usurp ard absorb river naviga-
ton, Bentonville, rival town eight or ten
miles W. 's-@sig Aecarcd one Of these
+. ~.....-s. ,.ays OF traffic. beykn at once
W PfOopCi ~ bifO ca PSboS ohu uSei Va
Turkeys Point Men having business in
terests at the latter place adopted various
means to rouse the dropping energies of the
Point, but their most hcrculean efforts
could not generate even An cmbryotic boom.
Slowly but surely it was going down, and
unless something was done to revive its
business interests it was onlya question of
ime when the village would be entirely de-
snrted.
ave must advertise, we must ADVERTISE"
Tom Simmons, an ambitious politician and
property owner, often declared The ques-
ton IF advertising was given serious con-
sideration by the leading citizens Of this
moribund village. After mature delibera-
ton, it was decided that Turkeys Point
must have weekly newspaper, which was
to be rival Of tho Bcntonville Gazette.
Tom Simmons was appointed one of COM
mittee of five to find suitable person to
manage such an institution, and in few
weeks reported that by making some dona-
tons TO the enterprise, they could secure a
young man with some experience and CAPT
tai, who was willing to undertake the pre-
carious business of establishing paper at
Turkeys Point
Early one summer morning one OF those
lonely steamers, which still occasionally
wander up the Missouri, like the ghost of
It's former glory, sounded the whistle and
rang the bell when opposite the Point, and
| gracefully swung into the landing. The
stage plank was thrown out, and young
man about four and twenty years of age
| walked ashore. 1t was Mr.. Allen Gray,
the prospective editor Of the new paper.
It was not for lack Of home talent that an
editor had been imported to Turlcy's Point.
The village was not without its literary
aspirants. There was Toney Barnes, the
poet, and Miss Lcethy Hopkins, the poctess,
essaylst, novelist and general librarian"
and many others capable Of managing q
weekly newspaper; but as neither Of these
persons possessed the required capital, II
was necessary to find some ono that did.
Allen Gray had completed his education,
and Ind had some experience as q news
| paper man. At the time he carlc in con-
tact with Tom Simmons lie was looking
about for u suitable location to publish 9
weekly newspaper. This was his first visit
to Turley's Point, and he was bringing his
press, cases. chaises, rules, fonts Of type
and all tho manifold paraphcrnalia Of O
country printing Office with him. Tom
Simmons was at the landing to meet the
new editor, who was to revive Turkeys
Point and bring back Its pristine glory
While the steamboat hands were carrying
tho presses, fonts of typo and boxes ashore
Tom had taken the new editors arm and
was conducting him up tho ascent to thu
village. all the while commenting on tht
golden opportunities tina: awaited the new
enterprise M
To Allen the prospect seemed any thlns
but encouraging; but he was young ant
full OF hope. and determined to mako a Wig
orous battle for position in the Western
world.
"This is your ocscc," said the voluabl,
Mr.. Simmons, as they passed in front Of al
old, dilapida.ed building, which had at ono
timo been used as c general store "Thcr
is plenty Of room here for your presses GnC
every thing. This is the best we eau q
now, but when your business grows, yol
know, we can build al Office to suit it."
By this time tic news had spread al
over the village that the new editor had ar
rived, end tho little town, for tho first tim
in years. took on something like excitement
Tonoy Barnes FASTENED to the buildin,
which was to be the newspaper oficc, for G
introduction, and as soon as il was pcssi5l
for him 10 do so, secretly informed the rcy
publisher that no was u poet, sad Norl
have one OF his efus,ons in the very lis
issue OF the new paper. Allen hadn't bee
long enough in tho newspaper business
feel the thrill Of horror which en- older edit
or would at coming in contact with
local poet. Then Miss Lecthy Hopkins, tn
ancient maiden, was next to seek an ia.r,
duction, and sstound the new plblishc
with the fact that she was vcrsa.l
, writer She wrote stories, poems i
rhyme or blank verse;" tragedies, co.ncdie!
essays. and, in fact every thing from G
. epic to a humorous paragraph Miss hoi
kins devoted her leisure hoIrs, when not CT
: gagged in literary work, TO teaching the vi
J lagc school She was tall and slender, he
, nose was on the Hebraic Fan. her sa.ailoyc
seemed to glare triumphantly Through be
J glasses, rs she ss.ounded the ncw cditc
with her multifafiors Accomplishments
\ Nothing could be done thxs day c;lccp. G,