The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-09-01
RAILROAD CELEBSATI0N AT ANGlER--f
BIG DAY.

whore this new town is. turn to the
man of North Carolina. put your finger
on Apey (the highest point on the Raj
eigh and Augusta road, and draw line
twenty miles long from Apex toward the
Cane Fear river. and you are at Angler.
the terminus of the Cape Fear and
Northern railroad, the centre of one of
the finest farming sections in Eastern
North Carolina, and the home OF a
worthy, hospitable and thrifty popula-
tion. Long removed from railroad
communication, the people of this com
mlnity have not been wanting IN those
oualities of head and heart that make
tbe best type of the American citizen.
They have churches and most of the
adult population belongs to them, and
education has not been neglected. There
Is no doubt that the coming of the rail
road will give longer terms and better
schools and larger and handsomer
churches. but it will only be an evolu-
ton of the present good conditions that
prevail in this community.
When the special train pulled in from
Raleigh, full of prominent citizens from
Raleigh, Cary, Apex and the inter-
mediate country; if you had judged by
the 1000 or $500 people present, you
would have thought Angler large town
of 1000 population instead of bran
new town located in the heart of the
finest cotton field in the State on which
it's owner. Mr.. j. G. Williams, is said
TO have made as much as three bales to
the acre. 1t looks like a pity to build a
town in the heart of so fertile a field,
but the Williams store at this point has
for years been a trading centre, and be-
sides Mr.. Angler in all his railroad con-
struction and stations has been looking
for only the best. A commodious and
substantial depot has been constructed
here. and it has the air I-am-built-for-a
big-town." There is every reason to be-
lieve that Mr.. Angler is justified in MAX
ing this place the terminus of his new
road. 1t is in the heart of fine agri-
cultural section, and around it lie vast
bodies of the finest unbroken pine timber
land in Eastern North Carolina. 1t is
twenty miles from Apex, Is miles
from Dunn, and about 20 miles from
Raleigh. 1T is about the right distance
from these places for good town. and
as the terminus of the new road, which
is owned and managed by men of large
wealth and progressive ideas, it would
seem TO have all the requirements for a
large and growing town. so mote 1T
be-"
After the speaking, there was an auc-
ton sale of town lots, and the prices
realized shows that there is faith i'll the
future of the place. The lots sold were
5Ox150. The first one put up at auction
brought $50. and was bought by Mr.. G.
T. Lee. of Dunn. Mr. A. Il. Mail, of
Wake. paid $50 for the next; DIR. n. Nj.
Johnson. of Durham, $500 for the
next. Other lots brought ST., $50, SIT
and so on.
Il will tell you," said Mr.. L. b.
Mosely. an expert in real estate. Il
have not seen town lots of such size Ill
a town of 1000 bring such prices. 1t
shows that the buyers already believe IN
Angler dirt and are willing to pay for
it,
At IL o'clock the speaking took place
in the grove near the residence of Mr..
T. c. Williams and the store of his son,
Mr.. Benton Williams. These gentle
men have been among the most progress
siye citizens of this section, and have
his associates in building the new rail
road They made everybody feel well
come Mr.. Herbert Il. Norris, who, as
attorney for Mr.. Angler, has had a
large share in the plans that. have been
brought to a successful termination, pre-
sided and introduced the speakers.
Short speeches were made by Messrs.
ID. III. Mclean introduced as the next
Secretary of State'); X. M. Furman.
Josephus Daniels, and Oscar }. Spears.
After they had spoken there were gen
eral calls for Mr.. John c. Angler, presi-
dent of the Cape Fear and Northern
railroad, who is highly esteemed by the
people of this section. In substance, Mr..
Angler said:
Il am proud Of being a North Caro-
lnian. and so help me God l intend TO
do more than have done in the past.
am no politician, no public man. no
speaker. but / desire to thank You nany,
many times for the kind things You have
done for me.
"a little less than two years ago |
made my first visit to this section IN !
buggy with Mr.. Herbert Norris. | told
him of the possibilities of this section
and he could hardly believe all mat |
predicted.
'.There is the road, ! am proud Of II.
The credit is not alone to me, bat also
to wise and faithful men who have Ia
bored with me.
II love the people. j hope | Will not
get away from the common people. |
am one of them. / had rathe" be here
in my humble sphere in North Carolina
than to be the Prince of Wales. l want
to help the common people. by mat !
do not mean only the poor people. l
mean all of the people in common. l
want to keep out classes. | believe IN
the people standing together. We nave
the best State in the Union.
1T is policy in business not to say
what you are going to do. But | Will
say this. This road is going-but where
or when is something else.
Il am proud to see the ladies here. |
love North Cardinals fair daughters and
thank them for honoring us with their
presence. / am happy to be here in old
Harnett among you, and can kiss the
babies, too, if there are any"
Short speeches were made by Messrs
!. G.. & b. +. Williams, and Mr.. Her
bert Il. Norris. After the speaking
Mr.. Angler spread repast for a large
number Of guests of barbecue, Bruins
wick stew, etc, that was fit for kings