davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
sMITHFIELD
Population Increased 90 Per Cent New
Bank. Cotton Mill Projected.
Sn,itbfcId hoe

Smithticld, Dee. IS, ISD.
10 tho Editor: The old town of
Snithfcld hats made wonderful strides
during the past year Her population
has increased 20 per cent. and the value
of. her business has increased in the
same proportion.
Probably not in its entire existence OF
100 years has every interest of the town
advanced so materially as during the
past two years. Many new firms are en-
gagged in business, n very successful to-
hacco market has been established, tho
Bank of SmithteId has been founded
and other private enterprises started
all of which add greatly to the business
activity of the community. The Brook
lyn Manufacturing Company is Il regu
larry chartered corporation, engaged n
the lumber and brick business. The
business men OF the town are now en-
gagged in an effort to establish n cotton
factory and there is every prospect Of 9
successful termination OF their under
taking.
Ours is II dispenSary town. 1t is wei
located and drained--and consequently i
is very healthy. Faxes are very low
one-half of the profits; of the dispcnsar!
is paid to the town treasurer.
Smithfield is a Democratic capital o
the Banner Democratic county-onlJ
three white men in it who vote any ticke
other than the Democratic.
S. S. HOLT,
Editor the Herald
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31


More tobacco has been used aud ~
better prices us compared with last year
The same thing may he said of cotton.
Receipts have been largely IN excess 81
what they have been in many years, and
The advance in price has had q stltiu
ating effect upon business in all lines
The Henderson cotton mills, with =
paid up capital of 100000 started with
3Gu0 Spindles Il few years aEo, and has
been many times enlarged II now
has $1,000 spindles. extensive additions
having been made within the last few
months The mill is run day and night.
using ut the rate of 5000 bales of cotton
annually. Two sets OF operatives are
employed. with about 42I persons on the
pay roll There Is constant and in
areasing demand for its product, and the
enterprise has been success from the
beginning, paying : per cent. annual
dividend Among its stockholders are
some of the wealthiest mon in the coun"
try. several of them being millionaires.
The amount OF freight handled Is 81
good indication of the volume Of tuS-
ness done. Henderson is the largest
shipping and distributing point between
Norfolk and Raleigh. The quantity OF
stuff brought into and shipped Vt of
here every twenty-fOur hours is some
thing wonderful in roportions--almost
incredulous.
Another good sign indicating a condi-
ion of affairs which speaks well for the
merchants and business men of the com
munity, is the amount of money on de
post in the bank subject to check. In
Jhc report of the Citizens bank TO the
North Carolina Corporation Commission,
made az the close of business on Dccem-
Der md, as published in the GoIdleaf, ii
was shown that there WAS ON deposit
over 100000 The loans and discounts
II the bank for the same period amount
ID to S17S,326.S1.
Many of our merchants say that this
years business has been the largest and
most satisfactory they have ever had.
Others say it has been the best in years
and this will apply to other lines #pf
trade perhaps.
Among the modern conveniences and
improvements of the progressive, up-to-
late city which Hende son boasts-Iot
Of this years inauguration, howeyer--al Q
one of the finest systems of water works
anywhere n splendid telephone exchange,
affOrding communication with neighbor-
ing and remote points distant 100 to 100
miles, a superior electric light and power
Iolant. ample banking facilities extending
every courtesy and accommodation con-
s;stent with sound business methods.
Last and not least IF all must DC men
toned the establishment OF iirst-class
graded school. the value and Importance
# which need not be enlarged upon. BY
Ibis step alone Henderson has put her
self abreast with the times and takes
ank with the wise, progressive towns of
the State in matters, educational and
intellectual, as well as material and in
dustrial
Looking back over the track of the
past we view it with feeling of pride and
satisfaction and approach the future full
of buoyancy and hope.
THAD X. MANNING,
Editor Gold Leaf.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
RANDLEMAN.
Has Made Great Progress in Manu-
features.
JAS. A. ROBINSON,
Editor Sun.

To the Editor:
Probably no town in North Carolina
has made greater improvements in every
respect han Randleman in the past ten
years. In 1890 there was about $500
100000 estimated invested in cotton
mills in our town. and now we have
the sum of $400.000.00 or upward i'll
textile factories. The ancient machinery
is giving away to more modern pat
ems. and we have an up to date Town
in 1899. The Naomi Falls Manufacture
ing Company have made considerable i'm
provements in their plant by charging
their buildings and increasing their pow
or. We NOW have FIVE coluvn mills,
one hosiery mill. two roller mills. ohe
lumber mill and twenty-eight stores.
There has been spent for repairing,
building and charging during 1899
S12.O 600 or $4,000. Never before has the
sentiment for higher education been as
strong as now In 1890 we had one
school ROOM We now have four, and
probably the best public school in the
county.
1t is the opinion of some Of our Leading
citizens that in the near future we Will
have an up to date graded school. Our
school is in charge of Mr.. w. III. Ingram,
principal, and the assistants are Miss y.
Battle, Miss Laura Simpson and Miss
Florence Redding. The corps OF teachers
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
BURLINGTON.
The New Factories Started the Past
Year.
Il. B. WHITE,
Mayor of Franklinton.

Burlington, n. c., Dec 2S, 1899.
To the Editor: Our town is not max
ing any fuss. in fact she IS not even
blowing her own horn, but we believe
there is no other town or county In our
State which has improved more IN the
past year than Burlington and Alamanee
county, and no other county or town
that enters upon the new year with
brighter prospects.
There is one fact which is in our favor
in this Mckinley boom" We have
noticed that the manufacturer ana
the manufacturing class are the only
people who are the fortunate ones today,
and as this is a great manufacturing
town and county, we are in the SWIM.
Our mills are all running on better time
than ever before. Nearly every mill
has made some addition or improvements
to their building or machinery, and the
operatives are prosperous and happy.
Capt JAS n Williamson has just
completed large new mill at Ossipee,
and it viii soon be put in operation. lie
also put in a large and substantial stone
dam. Aurora Mill, at this place, has
made some nice improvements. The
proprietors have added a finishing de-
partment, which adds much to the APP
pearance of the building They have
also put in two new boilers of powerful
horse power. The Windsor has also
added new finishing room, and made
other improvements. The Plaid Mills
have added a new and large engine, put
in a new Sidetrack, etc. Elmira has
made some valuable improvements, add
ing new and larger boilers, in fact nearly
every mill has put on new life. We
have a Knitting Mill, which was started
up this year. 1t has lately doubled ITS
capacity. and is some months behind III
orders. We understand that it will at
an early date again increase It's capacity.
The Lumber Manufacturing Works OF
Geo. w. Anthony has received some val
liable additions in the way Of machinery,
and is over run with work.
On our main street improvements have
been made. Hall X May have just COM
pleted n large addition to their large
hardware building. They have over l.
200 feet of floor room, and are DONG
an immense business.
r. T.. & J. w. Williamson have built
large addition to their building to facili-
tate the handling of the goods for their
wholesale trade. There have been many
minor improvements.
A large number OF handsome residences
have been erected, among them being
j. A. Isley's, G. Il. Isley's, JAS. II.
Hollis, Dr. j. H. Brooks, Edison Kerr's,
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
DURHAM.
80 Per Cent More Building Than in
Any Previous Year.
Durham. Y. G.. Dec. :

Durham, y. c., Dec. 2S.
To the Editor: The industrial progress
Of Durham, during the year now drawing
to close, has been marked indeed. 1t
has been something Of a revelation to
those who visit Durham from time to
time and note the expansion and growth
of the city. 1t is possible that the build
ings erected during 1899 have increased at
least 30 per cent. over any one year In
the past ten or fifteen. New structures
are seen on every hand; others are in the
course of erection; and still others are
contemplated. The style of buildings
has also improved They are of modern
design, and many of them would do
credit to any of the larger cities.
Not only is there progress and inn
provement in the building line, hut Dur
hams streets and pavements are NOW
numbered among those things which show
growth and up-to-date ideas in public inn
provements. This work is being grad
ually extended in substantial way. One
gratifying thing In this county is the
enthusiasm and interest the people are
taking in road building. They are talk
ing hold of the matter in the right way.
When private individuals give the right
of way, and buy property to Straighten
streets, and give the county the reSpec
tive amounts ON this property, it - an evi
dence that Durham county is going to
have good roads This has been done
here and the coming year is destined to
witness great revolution along this
line.
Durham will enter the New Year with
still greater things in view. The South
ern Conservatory of Music, one OF the
handsomest buildings in the South, will be
completed Plans are ON foot for another
large cotton mill-possibly two. The
Norfolk and Western Railroad win erect
ed q new and handsome depot on its
Main street property. A large storage
house is now being erected by the AM
erican Tobacco Company, on its Bull
factory property. NEAR the original build
ing. More residences and store houses
are contemplated, and others viii be re-
modelled.
Durham has great cause for rejoicing
over her present development and growth
and the bright prospects the future holds
up to view.
JAS. A. ROBINSON,
Editor Sun.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
RUTHERF0RDTON.
Progressing as Resort and Manufac
turing Town.
Rutherfordton, y. c.. Dec. %.

Rutherfordton, " c., Dec. %.
To the Editor: Rutherfordton is a quiet
small town in the centre of Rutherford
county, near the foot hills of the Blue
Ridge which encircles the county on
three sides, and in whose boundaries is
one of the richest agricultural sections
of the State, making it an Egypt for q
large scope of adjoining territory, and
the store house from which the thou
sands of employees and their dependents
in our large cotton mills, Henrietta, Car
oleen. Florence and Levi Mills draw tbs
supplies necessary for their sustenance
beside large shipments of our produc-
tons to Charleston, Savannah, Atlanta
and other Southern towns.
Railroad advantages are. excellent.
two competing lines, s. A. H., and South
ern Railway, with close connection with
other roads north and south. which W.
are confident will be main thoroughfares
In the near future.
Our population approximates 1900
and the town is located ON the top of {
hill in a valley, midway between two
branches which gives us natural and
perfect drainage, making 1t remarkable
for its health. The altitude of the town
averages LOO feet above sea level, and
at the distance of Il Of Il mile, a contin-
uous ride 1.200 feet high surrounds
the place, making ii perfect protection
against storms just as our whole county
is protected by the mountains which en-
circle it.
We have good schools in every part of
the county, and our people are fully alive
to educational interests.
Five different churches give our people
all church privileges. and a Christian
spirit prevails that makes each n helper
to the other in their work.
Business enterprise finds an open field
and fair competition, with good results
from proper application. Homes can be
purchased at reasonable prices, and many
lots are being sold to new corners at
country prices. We have all banking
facilities needed, and there is an upward
tendency in all business enterprises. We
nave two newspapers, The Vindieator.
holding up the Democratic end of the
swingle tree, and The Press putting in
an opposite direction politically, but putt
ing its best foot forward for our mate-
rial interests.
Our town has always been summer
resort. being near the celebrated BALD
mountain and Chimney Rock section,
which is SO much sought after by our
eastern and southern tourists. 1T is be-
coming noted also as d sanatarium for
persons affected with pulmonary com
plants. but we will not mention it farth-
er as Pine Buff gets most of chat trade.
Information will be cheerfully furnish
ed applicants. who desire to know more
Of our beautiful country.
J.. p. ERWIN,
Editor Vindicator
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
NEWBERN.
Ice and Lumber Plants Established
Fertilizer and Cotton Factory.
Newborn. n. c., Dee. %

Newborn, n. c., Dee. %.
To the Editor: In response to YOU.
request for brief resume OF the indus
trial progress of Newbern en- the year
just ending, | take pleasure in giving
you the following as the results OF our
progress.
As we look back over the year that
has passed we feel that it has not beer
entirely spent without profit to our COM
munity. While there has not been that
boom in industrial enterprises as the
writer would wish for, yet there has
been a marked Improvement in the gem
eral condition of affairs.
Our saw milling enterprises have adj
vanced very materially, and added large
~ to their output during the year. The
advance In the prices of timber lands
have been exceedingly great, and all Of
this branch of our industries seem to bt
prosperous, and the lumber manufactur.
ers wear a broad smile of satisfaction
and contentment.
Our cotton seed oil mill during the
year has made very great improvements
in their buildings and machinery, al1nos
doubled the size of their plant, and they
expect in the beginning Of the COMING
year to add fertilizer nnll in connection
with their oil MILL
The ice company has during the pas
season added materially TO their ice plan
by putting in the latest improved appara
tus for condensing water. There has
been made provision for extensive i'm
movements in the Atlantic and NORTH
Carolina Railroad properties i'll the city
which will give them from four TO slA
times the floor space that they now nave
for handling their freight.
There has been made already improve
ments in the passenger and mailing ser
vice ON this road which gives us a dali,
mail and passenger train, and prepare
tons are being made by which the gen
eral facilities for handling passenger
and freight will be very largely increase
during the coming year.
The Newbern Chamber OF Commerc'
has been organized during this past year
and while its work has not accomplished
the results hoped for. yet there rs ever!
reason for encouragement and harde
work. The Chamber is making an efior
to build road to connect Newbern witt
Aurora, with every prospect of success
This will add quite large territory T.
our mercantile interest. Much work ha
been done in various ways to arouse on
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
HICKORY.
Ground Purchased as Sits For Three
New Cotton Factories.
Hickory, N c., Dec. 26. $50

Hickory, n c., Dec 26, 1899.
To the Editor: In reply to your letter
of recent date, asking for correct state
ment of the educational, manufacturing
and business progress of Hickory since
1890, I take pleasure i'm being able to
state that there has been a very marked
change since that time.
Onr population i'm 1890 was 1850; il
is now about $500. We have five large
schools, Claremont College. Lenoir Col
lege, The Lutheran Seminary, Mrs.
Boards School for young ladies and a
graded school, all in hourishing con-
dition.
Our manufacturing enterprises are the
Piedmont Wagon Company, whose out
put last year was 5000 wagons. The
Hickory Manufacturing Company, man
1facturers of interior finish, do bust
ness of seycnty-five Thousand dollars q
year. Hutton & Borbonnais. mallu-
facturers of boxes, dressed lumber, etc.
employ about two hundred people, and
do a business of one hundred and fifty
Thousand dollars a year.
The Novelty Wood Works, manufac-
tnr,egs of anterior finish. do a business
of forty or fifty thousand year T.
Ceitner's Tannery does large and profit
able business. The Phoenix Roller Mills
and a. Y. Sigmon's Roller and Planning
Mills have been rushed to their full ca
pacity during the last twelve months
The First National Bank, one of the
most substantial banks in the state. de
clares good dividend semi annually
Ground has been purchased for three
large cotton mills, which viii be buli'
during the coming year.
We have two railroads, the Southern
and the Carolina and Northwestern,
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31

WHICH give us excellent shipping facih.
tics.
THE town is situated on n high eleya
ton In full view OF the Blue Ridge, IN
the hoalthiest nart of the Piedmont
section.
We extend n cordial invitation to CAPT
talsts AS well as nil good citizens K
come and make their homes with us.
Respectfully.
o. NJ. ROYSTER,
Mayor.
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
WARRENr0N.
ITS Manufactures Have Done a
Splendid Business.

WaTenton, y. c., Dec. 81, 1899.
To the Editor: This, one of the heal
thiest tboth physically and pecuniarily).
most solid towns of the State, has NOV
ed forward with a steady tread iii In,
sustrial progress during 1899. Fiv
new, nice residences have been built
and others greatly improved and beau
titled. Our business men all report the
best year they have ever had. Our to-
bacco market is one of the very hest in
the State and our three large warehouses
are selling more tobacco than ever. Our
schools are i'll a more hourishing condi-
ton than ever before, there being some
thing like $50 pupils enrolled at the
Women's Home School and Miss Hair
kins' school We already have one of
the hands0mest Methodist churches in
the State, and a new Baptist church un-
der way of construction equally as hand
some. The shuttle block factory and
the spoke and rim factory have done
a splendid business during 1899. turning
loose thousands of dollars in our midst
Our banking house, Gardner & Jeffress,
in their last sworn statement ON Deem
Der ., 1899, reported So, 900 on deposit.
The cotton market here has been strong
all the season with good prices and heavy
receipts. Houses are in demand here. All
together we have had fine year and
start out in the new year 1900 with
bright hopes of new and enlarged enter
prises. Our religious, educational and
business conditions Justify us in look
ing forward to greater and grander
achievements.
JAMES r. ROCKWELL.
Editor of The Record
The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31

people and start them ON the line Of prog
ress to awaken them TO a sense OF the
conditions that surround them and TO try
and get them to take advantage of the
Splendid opportunities that Newhern has
as a manufacturing centre. AS an out
come of this The Pembroke Manufactur-
ing Company has been chartered, and wc
hone eapIy in the New Year to get the
company organized, and at an early date
that the spindles and the looms may be
singing their sweet song, converting the
feecy staple into articles of wear ana
adornment. There is no better locality
in the South for Il cotton mill than ours
The average staple of our cotton is from
one to III inch. Out of it the very best
quality of yarps and cloth may be made.
Labor is cheap and plentiful. Fuel Is
cheap and plentiful and transportation
in every direction is cheap. Raw mate
rial is at your door. The only ncedtul
thing is men with ability and pluck
with a power to concentrate our people,
and to bring them together in unity OF
action and purpose, and then prosperity
will unfurl her banner over us.
The Carolina Canning Company has
organized and will thoroughly equipped
to can all manner of spring vegetables
that are grown in this section by the
time the season opens.
Thus we move slowly onward. and VT
hope that the young 1900 the closing year
Of the nineteenth century may he the
brightest and most prosperous year for
the city of ours. The outlook bright. the
opportunities are here. and if our people
only avail themselves Of them. the re-
suit will he accomplished, and this cen
tury will end with halo of glory foi
this the Athens Of North Carolina.
Z. II. PEI4LETlER.
Newbern. n. c., Dec. %.
To the Editor: In the last few
years, (since 1890, over S2,OOo.0Oo
has been put in building improve
ments and manufactures of various
kind. manufactures of timber into various
things predonlinatilg. Among the yarl-
Gus factories we have here | mention
the following: Cotton Seed Oil Mill.
Fertilizer Factory, Atlantic Product
Company manipulate marD, Basket
Barrel and Crate Works, Knitting MIL
Lee Plant, Single Mills, manufacture
of bricks. candy factory, grist mills, etc
We have two tobacco sales warehouses.
Over S400,U0O has been expended mere
during last twelve months in lumber in
terest principally.
The Atlantic Product Company. capital
$4,000, is in operation. Increased in
terest is manifested in education, new
IDEAS. methods, etc. We have first,
class graded school for white children ana
one for the eolored also. Our city Is on
the upward march. We have just built
two bridges-one across the Neuse. about
one mile long. one across the Trent, hve-
Fights of a mile long Water works, OF
the best, electric Lights. telephone, etc
business in all its branches is good.
Our merchants say they have the best
business in years. Outlook for ,l9oo very
bright. Farmers are prosperous
Truckers in good shape; merchants like
wise. All trades ana professions are III
good condition. and every one is looking
forward with hope for the future
II. II. PATTERSON, Mayor.
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1899-10-20

Otto Warner, OF Co. n, 18th Min.
snesota, and his friend Corporal
Panlus, came up Sunday night for a
VISIT Mr. Warner considers his ex-
perience in the army valuable one,
but doesn't care to. repeat it, and
most of the boys feel the same way.
From conversation with various
members Of the returning regiment,
it seems that Gen. Otis is much dis
liked. Col. Ames appears. to be the
idol of the rank and file, He was al
ways ready to lead the regiment in
to battle when he was not disabled
by sickness. The soldiers think very
little Of some OF some OF the other Of
dcers. Capt. McKelvey was univers7
ally admired and liked by his men,
which lie as good a tribute to Capt.
Jim as he could desire, and all who
know him will believe it is merited.
Warner brought back several in
teresting relics from the Orient. IN. I
Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1899-10-20
JAILED FOR THEFT.
John Kennedy, Of Royalton, Stole
An OyerCoat.

{. Zeng, of Dixville. stopped at the
Little Falls House Monday night,
and lett two overcoats in the Office.
One was new fur coat, just bought.
ln the morning it was gone.
The matter was placed in the
hands of Chief Heroux. John Ken;
nedy, OF Royalton, was suspected.
DE had been guest at the hotel and
left early in the morning. Officer
Cannon saw Kennedy with two over
coats. The chief communica ted with
the Royalton authorities and learned
that Kennedy had been seen driving
rapidly through the village. He had
a warrant made out, and Sheriff
Rider went down and got Kennedy,
who at first denied, then admitted
the charge, and gave up the gar
ment. 1t still had the price tag on
it. Kennedy was held over to the
grand jury by Justice Shaw, under
charge OF grand larceny in the second
degree.
The prisoner has been in trouble
before, and it is claimed, owing to
the drink habit, and has been the
cause OF much trouble to his rela-
tiVeS.