The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24

Henderson, the chief town and seat
of justice of Vance county, is pleas
antly situated at the highest point on
the Seaboard Air Line 1t is A miles
northeast of Raleigh, and 90 miles
southwest of Weldon; 800 feet above
sea level. 1t is IS feet higher than
any other town in this part of the
State.
Statistics show it to be remarkably
healthy, free from all miasmatic inti'l-
ences. The climate is pleasant and IN
MIGRATING. the water pure and Whole
some. 1t is much sought as summer
resort by people from the eastern part
of the State There are a number of
mineral springs near the town. the wa
ters of which possess rare health-giving
properties, and are freely used by the
local public. The population, according
to the census of 1890. was 4,256. In
Guiding suburbs, not embraced in the
corporate limits, it has over 5000 in
habitants.
The growth of the town i'm recent
years has been rapid and of a sllbstan-
tial nature Each season finds it in
ereasing its territory, while the char
acter of the buildings erected. for both
business houses and private residences.
are fashioned after more modern styles
of architecture and of greater value and
durability
The business interests of the town
are great. Henderson is a market for
large section of surrounding country.
and about 12,000,000 pounds of tobacco
besides large quantities of grain and IS
600 bales of cotton, and other country
produce, are sold here annually. Tobac
co is the principal crop, and the growth
of this industry alone has been almost
phenomenal.
There are four large and we'll APP
pointed warehouses for the sale of leaf
tobacco, in each of which are held daily
sales. and between fifty and sixty regi-
lar buyers. On every hand. in different
quarters of the town. are to be found
immense structures devoted TO the hand
ling and storing of this great staple.
There are four large stenlmeries in
which strips are prepared for foreign
export as well as local demand. The
principal re-drying and stemming bust
ness Of the Allen & Ginter Branch of the
American Tobacco Company is located
here.
While in its truest sense Henderson
is q tobacco town." and owes it's
growth and prosperity to its Importance
as a leaf market. its interests are by no
means confined to that industry alone.
The mercantile and manufacturing inter-
ests have been carefully looked after and
kept abreast with the spirit of improve
ment that has at all times marked its
progress and development as one of the
leading and most important bright to-
bacco markets Of North Carolina.
Ii has splendid system of water
works. electric light plant furnishing
both arc and incandescent lighting for
streets and buildings: n telephone ex-
change which gives perfect service. and
large cotton mill which only recently
had to build an addition to their large
building i'll order that they might keep
up with the orders for their goods. These
enterprises the town is justly proud Of.
and which are but the foundation for
others to be built upon.
Henderson boasts of number of fine
business blocks of brick that would do
credit to a city Of $4,000 inhabitants. 1t
has one of the largest and haD1somest
theatrical halls in the. State: many large
and handsome stores; two newspapers:
two job printing offices; bank with am
ME capital. sash and blind factories;
planning mills; carriage and wagon works:
three livery sales stables: bakery and
candy factory; photograph gallery; wood
working establishments: blacksmith
shops: bottling establishment; cotton
gins: good hotel; boarding houses, etc.
In brief. Henderson has upwards OF
fifty business houses. stores of one kind
or another and hundred other things
and enterprises which go to make up
live. progressive, modern little city. 1t
has the advantages Of excellent natural
drainage, pure drinking water, healthy
location. delightful climate. and re-
fined. generous and hospitable people,
ever ready to welcome the stranger
within their gates.
There are five churches. all protest
ant. viz: Methodist Episcopal, Methodist
Protestant, Baptist, Presbyterian ana
Episcopal; all nice houses Of worship,
with large membership. An excellent
male school, female seminary ana q
number of primary schools afford ample
facilities for the proper and careful tram
ing of the minds of the youth. Thus It
will be seen that both the religious and
educational interests of the town and
community are well provided for.
The colored people have their own
@churches and schools. and as a class are
duteligent, prosperous and good citi-
zens.
In variety of soil and climate Vance
county is unsurpassed. The country is
diversified in its Typographical aspect,
the surface rolling and undulating, the
lands rich and productive. Within its
territory. is to be found a variety Of soil
meeting the requirements of every crop
indigenous to this latitude, and while
there are many mills and factories the
principal source Of wealth lies in its ag-
rieulture. Tobacco and cotton are the
chief staples. Here the fine yellow to-
bacco, which has become world famous,