The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
LEADS ALL NORTH CAROLINA DALES I'M NEWS AMID CuRUl AlOM

lbout 600 people, though they were quit
I remarkable people, and of force in the
State and society. This has been true o
lhem from the days of the Revolution
md is somewhat true of them yet.
The town lies on the Western North
Carolina Railroad, one Of the leading
ines Of the great Southern Railway
ourteen hours from Washington, sever
hours from Raleigh, four hours from
Charlotte and two hours from Ashe
Vile.
The States largest and finest charity.
he Hospital for the Insane, is located
lere, as well as the State School for tn
Deaf Mutes OF the White Race. The
population OF the town proper is be
tween $500 and 3,000-of the county
lbout 10000. Since 1880, it has made
most Of its progress.
The Alpine Cotton Mills. the Lesh
Camp Tannory, the Morgan Manufac-
turing Company (wOod works., and the
Hogan Roller Mills are it's chief indus
.ries. They represent about $150,000 in
liant equipment, and do business to an
,mount Of which l am ignorant, but evi-
Iently at profit as they are continu
ously engaged. They furnish employ
ment to several hundred persons. There
are many saw mills in the county, and
he shipment Of lumber, both hard woods
md pine, is q leading industry.
There are some thirty stores in the
place, churches of the Presbyterian,
Episcopal, Methodist and Baptist COM
nunions and two churches of the colored
population. which here number about
}ne-ffth of the whole.
About $4,000 was expended during
he past year in buildings-the Method
SITS having in that time well under way
me of the handsomest churches in the
West. and which represents about one
fourth of the above sum.
The town has well equipped electric
light nlant of it's own, and a good tele-
hone system, connecting it with all the
near by towns. The latter is a private
,nterprise The Burke County Bank,
owned by leading citizens Of Catawba
# strong financial standing does the ex-
change business of the place. and furn-
she's any needed accommodation in the
way of money.
The health of the place deserves more
than passing remark. The situation
ON the sunny side Of the Blue Ridge
nd just under it, while 1900 feet above
the waves at Beaufort was the induce
ment, which led the State to select it as
the location for two OF its chief insti-
tutions.
The Oatwba River flows around the
town and its drainage is excellent.
While but few Northern people have
come in those who have come are most
excellent folk, and are well pleased with
their environments.
The debt of the town is about $17, 900,
and the tax rate is 90 cents on the 500
vaiuatioli
The Morganton Herald and the Burke
County News. both weeklies, are the
county newspapers, and receive a fair
support.
The farming lands along the Catawba,
the Johns and I4inville Rivers and on
the numerous tributaries of these are
Of excellent quality, and produces in
abundance all the fruits and cereals. OF
the temperate zone.
Since 1886 gold has been successfully
mined in the county and in earlier days
it was the chief industry. Considerable
capital from Virginia has recently been
invested in old mines, and the vein mines
are now in large demand. Most of the
work hitherto has been placer mining.
The forests of tn county are now be-
ing rapidly cut down without yielding
any great income to their owners, and
this is one industry that cannot unre-
servedly be commended. Otherwise all
the signs here are favorable to progress.
WM. S. PEARSON,
Editor Herald.