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


timber lands in certain portions of the
State can hardly be estimated. All this
could in time be put to most profitable
uses by cutting and transporting the
lumber, thus leaving the land in II con-
dition to be cultivated at the least ex-
penditure of labor and with the least
fertilzing Arabic land easily reached
is always sure to attract immigration,
and nothing builds up a section like an
intelligent class of farming immigrants.
This has been proved by the wonderful
results seen in the West, part of which
was so largely built up by Germans,
for instance the State of Wisconsin.
1t is pleasure to know that already
some of the smaller railroads of the
State are beginning to do just the kind
Of work mentioned above. This is GER
tain to be ~ great and important factor
in the development of those sections OF
the State, and it will be far-reaching in
its effects. For as soon as it is seen
tosbe successful in one region, railroads
will be built wherever there is promis-
ing land, and in Il few years there will
be seen a growth and development of
hitherto wild country that will be little
short of miraculous. Business men all
over North Carolina and indeed in other
States as well, are predicting that this
State is destined to be the foremost of
the South Atlantic group, and it seems
that the railroads are to be one of the
main causes of this rapid coming to the
front of the Old North State.
Foremost among the smaller rail-
roads in the State that are doing the
good work of clearing timber lands is
the road that runs from Aberdeen to
Raeford, known as the Aberdeen and
Rockfsh Railroad Company. This road
is carrying on a work that will in a
few years bring results that will make
people open their eyes to the possibili-
ties of land improvement by the simple
process of clearing. The section of
country traversed by the road is perhaps
one of the most promising regions in the
State for the growing of fruit, and also
for the cultivation of various necessary
products. In fact, everything is ia
vorable to brilliant future for the
region.
The Aberdeen and Rockfsh Railroad
Company was incorporated in July, 1872
The first survey was made for dis
tance of about eight miles in south
easterly direction from Aberdeen, and
work was begun on the road about the
18th of July, 1892. The road runs to
the junction, seven miles away, and
it is along here that the land is so very
favorable for the growing of fruit
Messrs. heavitt & Leavitt have in this
region a fine farm of one hundred and
fifty acres under cultivation, on which
they raise peaches, grapes, dewberries
and plums. The land here cam be pur
chased upon very reasonable terms, and
offers every facility for the fruit grower,
whether he raises on large or small
scale.
The main line from the junction runs
east in the direction of Fayetteville for
nine miles through country which is
likewise admirably adapted for raising
fruit From the junction there is also
n branch road belonging to the same
company, which was completed in 1897,
and runs eleven miles to the town of
Raeford, which town is the result of the
building of the railroad. 1t is a thriving
Mace. having good schools, with mill
fairy feature, and is a growing COM
munity. building continuously. This
increase, although rapid, is nevertheless
a natural and safe one, simply due to
the large business interests which have
been created by the operation of the
railroad. The country which the
Branch Road runs through is somewhat
hillv. and the last five miles is excellent
land with a clay sub-soil suitable for
raising corn, wheat, tobacco and cot
ton. 1t is in fact some Of the finest
Land in the State. The people of this
section are anxious for American and
Industrious immigrants, and any