Pleasantville weekly press. (Pleasantville, N.J.) 1890-1911, 1897-03-17
SOUTHERN PINES BOOMING.
A visit to the new Resort In North
Carolina.

A visit to the new Resort In North
Carolina.
One of the most delightful rides that
can be had is from Portsmouth Virginia
to Southern Pines over the Sea Board
Air Line Railroad. The ride is through
a section of country that is noted for
many hard fought battles, in the re-
bellion. Suffolk the first city of pro-
minence reached, lost many brave SOL
diers and scarcely a house stands now
but what has been built since the war.
more beautiful city does not exist in
the South to-day than Suffolk. The
soil is we'll known to he very produc-
tive. The Northern markets are supplied
probably as much from this section of
the country as any other. 1t is fact
the quality of the produce is not sur
passed by that of any other locality. A
little farther on will be found Weldon,
another important and beautiful little
city. 1t was learned the chief industry
of this place was the manufacture of
tobacco and cigars. Some OF the most
fertile soil in the South is found in this
section which is devoted mostly to the
cultivation of tobacco. Tobacco is
grown very successfully, and with pro-
fit, for so miles each side of Weldon.
After leaving Weldon the country be-
comes more billy and increases in this
particular until the scenery is superb.
The tall pines and mountainous territory
are sights to behold, especially after
Raleigh has been passed. In all this sec
ton the cultivation of cotton is the
chiei feature and the large fields titled
for this purpose. as is shown by last
years stocks remaining, will give an
idea of the extent Of this industry.
Every station has it's platform
with scales for weighing cotton
whether small or large. One thing in
particular was observed when leaving
Raleigh going South. Two railroads run
side by side, when at distance of 8 or
10 miles they cross each other bit both
trains stop at q standstill when the
crossing is approached. Ga inquiry it
was ascertained that no train passed
over this crossing without first
having come to full stop to insure
safety. The writer remarked to the
porter that had this rule been
adopted by Northern railroads the
horrible meadow accident near Atlantic
City would not have occurred, and so
sous would have been saved from an
awful death.
Sixty-eight miles from Raleigh is 10
Gated Southern Pines. A beautiful place
indeed, but nothing now compared to
the prospects of it's future. The place
is but two or three years old and has
it's electric railroad and electric lights
etc. Best of all it has its superb eli
mate. It's elevation is $50 feet above
sea level thus giving au atmosphere that
is dry, refreshing and pure. 1t Is san
itarium by nature, with modern con-
vpniences and with the bill of fare for
it's visitors, it is not a wonder the place
has flourished. It has half a dozen first
class hotels besides several boarding
houses. Three churches are patronized
by four denominations. A very large
saw mill is also in operation, and the
lumber business is another of the great
industries all along the line nearly over
looked by the writer. North Carolina
Pine is noted every where for it's popu-
larity and almost every station has its
sawmill. There is one feature in relation
to this industry, that to my mind is
overlooked, which is of greatimportance
to the farmers there, and that is thesaw
dust which is not made any account of
at all. By the use of chemicals it can be
made one of the most valuable fertilizers
in existence. No doubt in time all the
sawdust made will be utilized in this
way.
The cherry trees two weeks ago were
in bloom. Easter lilies, Hyacniths and
crocuses adorned the yards of the differ
ent houses.
Just 6 miles from Southern Pines con-
nected with an electric railroad is one Of
the most beautiful little places in exis-
tence anywhere. It. is called Pinehurst
and is owned exclusively by the Soda
Fountain manufacturer, James W. Tufts,
who bought 1000 acres on the highest
elevated ground that could be found and
laid it out and built a city of about 40
beautiful cottages and dozen or so
hotels and boarding houses which by
the way were all filled to their full cap
acity. The sight was abeautiful one to see
very tall thrifty looking pines, and on
the ground to see nice green crop of
grass almost as far as the eeye could reach
intermized with the trees. One would
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