The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-01
TO TRY WILCOX AND IRWIN.
AN OPTION GIVEN on 100000 ACRES
OF LAND AT 81 PER ACRE.

The Colony of ex-UniOn soldiers
Likely 10 be settled There-It Is
said a Deal Has About Been Closed
for Several Large Tracts-The Land
Inspected in Montgomery County
Had Imperfect TftIes-The Prog
ress Being Made With GOV. Nor
ITEMS Colonization Scheme.
The committee in charge of Gov. Nor
then's colonization scheme by which it
is expected that about 1900 ex-uEion sol
diers and others will be brought into Geor-
gia and formed into colonies. il is under
stood, have been given an option on about
10000 acres of land in Wilcox and IT.
win counties, just south of the central
portion Of the state, and that an agree
ment has about been perfected by which
the purchase will be made.
1t will be remembered that the commit
tee which had in charge the matter of
securing a location and the land neces-
sary TO put the colonization scheme into
effect. investigated the titles 10 about the
same amount of land in Montgomery
county. Mr. Charles II. Land, of Mt.
Vernon. represented the parties who ex-
pected to sell the land. But owing to the
uncertainty of land titles in Montgomery
county. the prospective purchasers were
a little cautious. 1t was found that the
titles to the tracts examined were some
what defective, and its purchase was prac-
tically out of the question unless they
We're cleared UP.
That section of the country seemed a
satisfactory one however, for the settle
ments. The committee found il would be
impossible to secure all the land desired
in Wilcox county, but that a large enough
tract could be secured by going over into
Irwin, so that in case this land is accept
ed, the new settlements will lie in both of
these counties. The Drew brothers, of
Irwin county, 1t is understood, have
practically closed trade with the colo
nizatiOn company for large tract OF
land at 81 per acre, and a party named
Bowen, il is said, has agreed to sell them
another large tract at the same price. IN
fact, II is stated that the company has
secured an option on 100000 acres at that
figure.
This land lies along the line of the
Abbeville and Waycross railroad which
connects with the Savannah. Americus
and Montgomery II is timber land for
the most part, but when cleared is said
to make excellent land for cotton, fruit
and other products. 1t seems from the
continued Investigations that are being
made right IN that section of the state,
that IT is the place where the promoters OF
the scheme desire to locate the colony.
They are going to make sure OF the titles
to the property, however before any
steps are taken to finally secure It,.
There has been some little question as
to whether they are fully able to finance
the scheme which they propose to carry
through, but those who have investigated
it, say that there can be no doubt so far
as the finances are concerned, as several
hundred thousand dollars have already
been paid in, and the company is now
ready to make the purchase. This is the
colonization scheme of which =. II. Fitz-
gerald is at the head. and 1t Is being look
ed after in the south. and for the inter-
ests of Georgia especially, by eX-Gov.
Northen. The idea is said to be to secure
between 100000 and 100000 acres in tracts
of about 100000 acres each, but not widely
separated and to locate the colonies up
on these. The details of the scheme were
published in the Morning News some time
ago. 1t is expected that the plan will be
carried out now within short time.