The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1900-03-26
COLONIZING THE SOUTH
RAILWAYS ASSISTING IN AN IMPOR-
TANT UNDERTAKING.
Aiding in the Work Of Building Up
Industries Along Their Lines
Boom I'm Business.

CHICAGO, March 25.-The Times-Herald
tomorrow will say: 1.-The colonization sea-
son has been vigorously opened by the
railroads which extend into southern terri
tory, and the work of building up the South
commercially is to be carried on this year
on a scale hitherto unknown. Industrial
agents declare that the year promises to be
a record breaker for immigration to south
ern States and for the location of factories
and industries. Activity in the phosphate
mines, renewed interest in the cotton in
dustry, the discovery of the value of cas-
sava as a money-making plant. the knowl-
edge that the railroads have countless
sections of unoccupied and fertile farming
lands, together with the renewed prosperity
of the entire country has made new posi-
bilities for the South that were little
dreamed of several years ago.
1.-THE work of the Illinois Central road
is a fair example of the boom that is now
on. Up to the present time the road has
exceeded last years record of new fac
tories located along the line by so per cent.
This remarkable showing has been made
despite the fact that the months of April,
May and June have always proved to be
the best months for prosecuting this work.
In Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi and
Tennessee there nave been established a
large number of new cotton, paper and saw
mills and creameries. Some of the roads
whose agents declare that this class of
business is exceeding all expectations are
the Plant system. the Louisville & Nash
vile, the Mobile G. Ohio and the Southern
Railway. The Louisville & Nashville is
doing an unusual amount of work in devel-
oping phosphate lands In Tennessee and
in colonizing farming lands and disposing
of timber lands I'm Alabama and Florida. Its
cassava plantations are becoming numerous
in Florida. and especial attention is being
paid to inducing people to engage in this
new industry. The fact that from this
plant can be made starch and glucose of
fine quality, ard that as a fattening agent
for stock 1t has no equal. is engaging the
attention Of Northern farmers. In Virginia,
North Carolina, Alabama and Georgia the
Southern Railway is locating large colonies
and thousands are taking advantage of the
run every first and third Tuesday in the
month. Over two hundred families have
been located this spring between Danville
and Richmond. At High Point, ". c.,
there nave been established twenty fur
niture factories; at Rome, Ga, q new bas-
ket factory, and at Knoxville large hat and
WOODEN factories. Az Huntsville. Ala, an
other large colony has been located and
many oiC NicitHlS TIE peach Delt with a
view of engaging i'm that industry.
1.-The Plant system is developing its phos-
phate fields and locating factories and
colonies all along it's route. AT the present
time II has all OF this class Of business IL
can attend to. and ii is expected that the
rush will continue throughout the summer.
Several of the roads are watching with
eager eyes developments i'm the Cuban and
Porto Rican situations, with a view TO be-
ing first In the field for colonization pur-
poses. One or two roads have already
made plans for large business to Cuba, and
when matters become settled there they
expect TO get all the business thy can
handle.