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

Wilson county. of which the city of
Wilson is the capital, is situated IN that
part of North Carolina usually designat-
ed as the Eastern section. Formerly
part OF Edgecombe county, It aided to
give that county the enviable reputation
of being the most fertile county Of the
State. Being Just without the bounds
of the Piedmont section which lies west
ward. the soil is of loamy nature with
d stiff clay subsoil. Along the small
stroams, numerous deposits of mari,
beth blue and shell, indicate that at one
time the old Atlantic here deposited
this rich refuse matter SO valuable 10
farmers. The virgin soil il very rich
and easily maintained, although in some
cases the slight slopes demand hillside
bitches to prevent very hasty with
drawal of the water into the main
bitches. This virgin fertility is but
cause and the consequent success Of
farmers and the raising of large crops
of cotton, tobacco, corn and peas, etc,
making Wilson county a banner farm
ing county. For years large cotton and
corn crops have been raised Cow peas
and peanuts have been planted with
great success and nature has smiled in
every conceivable way.
In the SOS the low price of cotton
caused some Of our intelligent farmers
to cast about for some other crop which
would take the place of cotton. Mr..
Calvin Barnes was a pioneer in this
movement, and began the cultivation OF
bright tobacco. Immediately after h
venture had proven a success the farmers
generally realized the Importance of the
step. Soon tobacco warehouse was
erected in the city Of Wilson and this
proved an impetus to tobacco raising,
Soon tobacco barns were being
erected, and tobacco luek houses were
built
The more skeptical awaited the result.
but il was soon seen that tobacco had
come to stay. Now on almost every
Wilson county farm, tobacco is planted.
The farmers have easily learned how to
cultivate it successfully, and tobacco has
added to the prosperity of town and
county.
Wilson county is well populated, hav-
Ing about $4,000 inhabitants. As a
whole no county can boast of better
people, socially, financially or morally
OF course a large proportion of thesa
dwell in the villages and towns. Elm
City has about 1000 inhabitants, Black
Creek has about 700. Lucama and Sara
toga have each about 200, Wilson, the
county seat, is of course the largest,
having Mt censns taken several months
ago over 5000 inhabitants. If one were
asked to name the most thriving, hrs-
ling city in Eastern North Carolina, the
city in which most business was done
considering its size, the city which was
= a. H..
that person would doubtless name Will
son. Situated on the main line of the
Atlantic Coast Line ard at the head of
the present short cut which was made
by that system several years ago to
shorten the distance to Southern points,
it offers uneaualIed facilities for ship
ping The city is about in the middle Of
the county and about midway between
Toisnot and Contentnea Greeks, and is
said TO be on the highest point of land
on the Wilmington and Weldon division
TO the Coast Lie. To this fact is great
~ attributable the exceptional health en-
Joyed by the people. Naturally well
drained, with good wells and sanitation,
# ~ no wonder that a phenomenally
low death rate prevails But this SAN
itation is all natural
In 1892 the people began to think
about water works. the question was
agttated, an election was held. the vote
being by an overwhelming majority, to
issue bonds FOR electric light and water
works. In few months the contracts
were let and now no people have better
or cheaper lights or better or cheaper
water facilities. The quality Of the
water is excellent. The city owns both
plants and they are under municipal
control. To say that they are admirably
managed is but a deserved compliment
to those in charge. or course after