The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
Are Being Established. The Tobacco Marke
Shows Great Increase Cotton and
Peanuts Also on the Rise in
Quantity Produced. Two
New Cotton Mills.

CT the many thriving towns that be-
Jewel the Eastern section of North caro-
lima. none surpasses Tarboro in beauty.
Could the eye conceive for an instant the
beauties of Eden when inhabited by
Adam and Eve, and then could the same
eve be east upon Iarboro It would at
once see no mean comparison.
Nature certainly ezerted hcrsei1 - lie
creation of this spot Beautiful valleys,
protected by hiAs just now deckeG IN all
the grandeur of summer, greet the eye,
together with gently rolling land. The
beautiful and fertile lands surrounding
the city are laden with the fruits which
will bring comfort and ease to the pro-
ducers.
In the city itself are all the evidences
of prosperity and culture. Beautiful
residences and churches rise towards
the heavenly dome, and in the centre
OF the city stands the court house OF
Edgecombe county.
Tarboro stands proudly in progress and
enlightenment One can not look at her
beautiful churches and tasteful private
buildings without gaining an idea Of the
intelligence of her citizens and her ac-
emulation of wealth.
Looking on her business streets and at
her factories and business houses, You
see the trade and commercial import
ance of Tarboro. In alone Will travel
far and wide over the land and will find
no town of the population of Tarboro
that will excel this charming town in
enterprise and push-nor win any class
of citizens Guido the citizens of Tar
boro in intelligence, culture, refinement
and wealth.
EARLY HISTORY OF EDGECOArBE
COUNTY.
At an early period in the history of
North Carolina Edgecombe county was
formed from part of Craven county,
and was settled by the Palatipes and
swiss colonists. under the leadership of
Baron de Grafenreid, in the early part
of the eighteenth century. 1t was named
in honor of Captain Edgecombe, of the
British navy who distinguished himself
by gallant service in MinoTca, under the
celebrated English Admiral Byng. The
county is watered by Tar river. which
runs through the county and penetrates
to Tarboro. the county seat, affording ia
cillues of navigation to large portion 81.
it. tbs river was originally called Tar
river. deriving its name from the aborig-
inal language in which it signifed the
River OF Health"
ndgecombe county has always held a
front rank among the counties of Narth
Carolina for its agricultural skill and
progress, and the agricultural classes
have been distinguished for intemgelrce
and success in business. In the culture
of cotton they have been far in advance
of any county in the State. Its
quantity have compared with the most
favored cotton States of the South, hav-
ing raised as high as thirty thousand
bales at one crop. The tobacco business
is also getting to be quite on item in the
agricultural portion of the county, which
has caused the erection of three ware
houses in Tarboro and four prize houses
The tobacco business at Tarboro the
present year will be an increase of 100
per cent. over last year. The peanut crop
Of the county is also one of the chief pro-
ducts, and the present crop will probably
double that of last year. This
las been somewhat owing to the peculiar
j adaptation of its soil to the production
of those great staples, but chiefly to the
scientific skill aud judicious management
of the farmers of the county. The name
of an Edgecombe farmer is and has long
been synonymous with advanced agricul-
ture, and there is an enthusiasm, a
zeal and industry in the pursuit that is
found nowhere else in North Carolina.
Owing probably to the fact that the
leading class of the population have been
agricultural the county has always been
conservative in fts character and infiu-
eence, ana through all the storms and
conflicts of parties it has been steadfast
in its political principles, changing slow
ly and aunering to its position through
the fluctuations that elsewhere pervaded
the body polite.
EARLY HISTORY OF TARBORO.
Tarboro, the county seat, is situated en-
Tar river. at the head of regular nayi-
cation. 1t was laid off in 1850, when a
donation of land for that purpose was
made by Joseph and Ester Howell to the
commissioners. 1t has population CT
5000 and is distinguished for refinement.
culture and healthy tone of public senti-
ment of its population. Tarboro. and the
county of which it is the seat has been
prolific of men who have illustrated our
history. In the eventful struggle that
established our independence, Tarboro
contributed her full share in counsel and
arms to the common cause. In the con.
vention that preceded and prepared the
public mind of our countrymen for the
conflict of arms Edgecombe bore con
spicuous part. Henry Irwin, a merchant