The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1899-07-19
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS.
NOTES OF PAST AND CURRENT EVENTS.
By ]. L. POWER.
Scarcity of Beef Cattle In Mississippi.
By ]. L. POWER.


Scarcity of Beef Cattle In Mississippi.
Prof. Welborn replies rs follows to
an inquiry on this subject in recent
issue: a
"Ihave been rather intimately associated
with the cattle interests during this time,
and feel competent to answer. The cattle
business has always been "side issue"
with Mississippi farmers. They are not
grown for money, but to furnish milk,
work oxen, a beef now and then, and in
cidentally for money. Up to about two
years ago prices were low and very few
buyers sought our market. l bought them
myself more than once for $l.25 per hun
dred, live weight. The scarcity and high
prices ran them up to s.. so, and the whole
country was flooded with buyers. For peo-
pie not looking to stock for money, you can
readily imagine would turn them loose when
a good sum was offered. There is rather more
interest felt now than formerly in raising
stock, but the shortage has not been made
up. l think no other cause than the one
named has operated to reduce the numbers
Of our cattle in Mississippi"
Any fact or incident commemorative
of Jefferson Davis is appropriate for
mention in mississippi Matters" 1t
appears that Mr.. Davis was, during his
lifetime, an honorary member of the
Alpha Lambda Kappa Sigma, Uni
versity of Vermont. The university is
at Burlington. The society at recent
meeting decided to take notice of the
presence of Mrs Davis in the State,
and sent to her at Montpelier, by
special messenger, beautiful bouquet
and cordial greeting and welcome. To
jefferson Davis, from Alpha Lambda
Kappa Sigma. University of Vermont
On reverse side: "A slight token in
memory of Jefferson Davis, one of our
beloved brothers"
Hon. E. y. Sykes delivered the Fourth
of July address at the reunion of Con-
federates at Sortors Mill, and at the
conclusion presented each of his old
comrades with copy of the original
rolls of the two first companies organ
lied in Monroe county, as published in
the Aberdeen Sunny South of May 2,
1S61-the Van Dorm Reserve, VIM. II.
Moore, captain; Monroe Volunteers,
Samuel j, Gholson, captain. The in
terest of such reunions would be greatly
increased by such records being brought
forward and the names of those who
composed each company discussed.
Committees should be appointed to get
up the military history of each COM
mand. In a few years there will be
none to be appointed on such commit
tees.
The last biennial report of the Mis-
sissippi penitentiary-for 1S96-1s97-
shows that there were 257 convicts on
hand Sept so, 1897. under 90 years of
age, and of this number Is were under
10 years! A strong argument for the
establishment of a reformatory, as sug-
gested and authorized by section 225 of
the constitution, which says: "The
legislature may establish areformatory
school or schools, and provide for keep
ing of juvenile offenders from associa.
ton with hardened criminals" If can
didates for the legislature would dis
cuss and advocate this before the peo-
pie they would find many attentive and
sympathetic listeners.
At the recent commencement of the
Southwestern Presbyterian University,
GAINESVILLE, Tenn, degrees and distinc.
tions were conferred on Mississippi
graduates, as follows: Bachelor of arts.
w. NJ. Cox, John f. Frierson; general
improvement medals from the literary
societies, E. S. Brainard, W. v. Frier-
son; inter-society oratorical medal, NJ.
Z. Melvin; speakers medal in gradual
ing class, John f. Frierson; Mack Bible
medal, George Il. Rea. The honorary
degree of doctor of divinity was con.
ferred on Rev. j. E. Jones, pastor OF
the Presbyterian Church, Meridian.
! The personal assessment roll for Ran.
kin county, for 1899. shows 4,sos sep
arate assessments against 4.214 in 1898.
| Polls enumerated 8,31S, an increase OF
25 over 1898. Total valuation of per,
sonalty, S4S6, 1862, decrease of s29, 696.
Total State tax, So, 1885.
A'eandidate for the legislature wants
to know the cost of holding the consti.
tutional convention of 1890. The audi.
tor reported disbursements on that &C.
count s55,706.s4. This did not include
printing, which was paid for out of the
appropriation for public printing.
The jackson electric railway sent its
first car from the power-house TO tho
capitol on the 18th inst. As soon as the
capitol street bridge is completed the
entire system win be operated. On the
north line II extends to the lunatic
asylum gate.
The editor of this department is pre-.
4 pairing a tabulated statement of the
primary votes for United States sena.
tors and members of the legislature,
and will publish as soon as completed.
The postoffice address of State senators
and representatives win be given.