The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-12-31
ROCKY MOUNT.
Growth of Its Cotton, Wood and Ice
Factories, Tobacco Market.

Rocky Mount, y. -, Dec Il, 1888.
TO the Editor: Rocky Mount, though
the spot has borne that name since the
Wilmington and Weldon Railroad was
built, yet it only began its immense inn
petus which has brought it to its high
state Of progreSsiveness and marked IT
as one Of the leading towns in North
Carolina in the last fifteen years.
Fifteen years ago the population of the
town scarcely exceeded 800 inhabitants
with its tributaries The town now
boasts at least 1000 souls. Its growth
is monthly Next to Greensboro it has
more railroad advantages than any town
III the State.
Lying equi-distant from GoldSboro
and Weldon. about 40 miles from each
place, surrounded by Il fertile country
with farms III high state Of cultlya-
ton, the center Of the golden leaf to-
bacco district and with as productive
cotton fields as there are in the State,
the future of the town is web assured.
1t is on the. Atlantic Coast Line Rail
road with daily trains to Plymouth,
Washington, SpringhOpe and Nashville
within four hours travel of Richmond
and Norfolk. 1t lies in the counties of
Edgecombe and Nash.
The first tobacco market in Eastern
North Carolina was established at this
town for the sale of the loose leaf. 1t
met with almost insurmountable diff
culties at the beginning, for the farmers
who had all their lives been raising cot
ton fer their monied crop, had to be
persuaded that the culture of tobacco
would rebound to their interest, and that
it could be produced more successfully
iii the country surrounding than III the
original tobacco belt From that begin
ming it has plodded steadily along until
with its four warehouses, fifteen facto-
ries and strong force of buyers we'll es"
tablisher there is no market III North
Carolina on a stronger basis or one that
gives more satisfaction TO the sellers
of the weed. What is unusual in to-
bacco towns the market is so well en-
trenched in the estimation of the public
that the men who conduct it do not
have to resort to boastfulness to main
tain it, but the facts stand out prom
inently for themselves.
ROCKY MOUNT MILLS.
This is the site of the first cotton mill
built in North Carolina, and it is now
one of the largest and most prosperous
mills in the State. When the present
management took charge, it contained
1000 smndles and now contains 10000.
The management and the stockholders
are all native North Carolinians, which
increases the interest of the people i'll it.
There is no prettier or cleaner factory
village ia the South.
AS is necessary in all large properties,
improvements are constantly being
made This fan two large horizontal
turbine wheels have been put Ill, so
that now the classic Tar River is very
effectively harnessed up. Arrangements
have been made to supply the whole
property with the new Rocky Mount
water system, which will furnish be-
yond question the purest water in North
Carolina. This will be done without ex
pense to the operatives and shows how
thoroughly their interests are cared for
by the very progressive management. y
public school is maintained ON the
grounds all the year. Taught by first
class lady teacher and rs accomplishing
great good The moral tone of the
community is of the very best and it is
hard to find Il better or healthier popu-
lation.
Among the leading industries of
Rocky Mount the manufacture and sale
of ice is fast occupying prominent
position. The Southern Ice Company
and the Rocky Mount Ice Company are
both strong concerns, well intrenched i'll
the popular mind as having ample means
for the development of their business,
and executive ability of the highest
kind in their management. The South
ern Ice Company is now preparing to
install the machinery TO manufacture
30 tons per day, making the total out
put in both about SO tons per day.
The Rocky Mount Ice Company has
under way storage warehouse of 1000
toms capacity.
The Tar River Lumber Company.
dealers in rough and dressed lumber, is
another concern that is doing an inn
mense business here, with a future full
Of bright promise. Lumber is shipped
by them to all parts of the country. A
hand-saw with cutting capacity OF 49,
900 feet is being put in. The tram road
To Littleton, in Halifax county, will
place Within the reach of this mill the