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

Smithfield. the capital of Johnston
county, is beautifully situated on the
east bank of the Neuse, about twenty
five miles from Raleigh, and numbers
about 1000 inhabitants. The railroad IA
cilities of the town are excellent It
being on the Wilson and Fayetteville
Short-cut-twentyf miles from Wal
son and forty-five miles from Eayette-
yille-and at the terminus of the Mid
land North Carolina Railroad, twenty
two miles from Goldsboro. 1t is also
virtually on the North Carolina Railroad,
as hacks meet all trains on that road
(which do not make connection with
trains on the SHORTCUT at Selma, four
miles away.
Smithfield is an old and conservative
town, and its citizens are as hospitahle
and sociable as can be found in oar
State, which exceIs in these noble quail
tiles. 1t was established in lit by Act
of the General Assembly. sitting at New.
bern. The land on which it Is situated
was purchased from the heirs of Col.
John Smith, or perhaps donated by
them In 1179, two years after il was
established. the General Assembly met
here. In 1891 81 when the State was
Smitbtield WAS a prominent candidate
for the honor. Again, our town came
within one vote it is claimed of being
the State capital.
CHURCHES.
Smithfeld has five white churches
Methodist, Missionary Baptist, Primi-
tive Baptist, Episcopal and Presbyterian
at one of which services Are held ey-
cry Sabbath. morning and night. Three
nights in each week prayer-meeting is
held-Tuesday night at the Presbyterian
church. Wednesday night at the Metho-
dist Episcopal church. and Thursday
night at the Baptist church. At tine
Methodist. Missionary Baptist. Episcopal
and Presbyterian churches Sunday
School is held every Sunday morning.
The colored people have two churches
MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT.
Smithfield has an excellent municipal
government, vested in a Mayor. clerk.
treasurer. marshal and nine commission
ers. These positions are filed by men OF
progressiveness, who do all in their pow
err to push the town forward.
WATER.
Excellent water for all purposes il OBJ
tainable here from wells ut an average
depth of twenty-five feet.
LIGHTS.
The city is lighted at night by many
gasoline lamps. scattered throughout the
entire town. These afford ample light
SCHOOLS.
burlington Institute. one of the great
educational factors of the State. is To-
Gated here. This institute ranks high as
an educational factor, and is so regarded
throughout the entire State.
TOBACCO MARKET.
Smithfield is becoming one of the best
tobacco markets in the State. The mar
ket was inaugurated July 2Sth. 1873,
and during the first season over 1,0la.-
900 pounds of tobacco was sold here.
This should be a great inducement for
the farmers of this section to raise TO
bacco, inasmuch as they can find an e,-
cellent cash market at this point.
MANUFACTURING AND DEyEL-
OPING AGENCIES.
The city has in its midst saw and
planning mill, brick yard, two splendid
tobacco warehouse. two stemmeries. n
local telephone exchange. two livery es-
adjustments. two wood shops, tin shop,
thirty stores, etc.
HOTELS.
Smithfeld has three splendid hotels,
and can in consequence entertain large
number of guests, and entertain them
well.
JOHNSTON COUNTY
Lies on the upper waters of the Neuse
L.. x..l,
traverse it in southeast direction, and
consists for the most part of level and
gently rolling piny uplands, with a few
small bodies of more sandy and barren
pine lands. 1t lies on the western mar,
gin of the long-leaf pine region, it's south
eastern half being characterized in its
general features by the same soils and
growth as the average Of that belt while
along the northwestern margin the lands
are more billy and the piny belts are al
ternated along the streams and more
billy portions with oak and pine forests
and gravelly loan soils. There arr
tracts of quite sandy soil in the eastern
section, while in the middle section ar
large bodies of pine flats.
Johnston is one Of the most prosperous
counties. as, besides its large cottol
crop. the grain product reaches nearly
100000 bushels and its crop Of pota
toes exceeds 100000 bushels. Cotton il
the principal crop of the county, an'
prospers in all parts, especially on tn
broad belts Of bottom lands lying alon;
the Neusel river, Swift creek and othe
streams.
Until recently cotton has been the onh
money crop, but lately the people hav'
learned that the soil is splendidly adapt
ed to the growth of the brightest tobac