The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-07
HAS THE RIGHT NAME
The Village of FarmviIIe Has
a Queer History.
Us Folks Are Independent Of the Railroad. A
fourishitg School and ilospilabl1
PeopIa.
Especial to News and Observer

Especial to News and Observer
Farmville, N. c., July 5-This is the
most appropriately named place | have
visited. 1t is situated one mile from
Marlboro on the old plank road that used
to be the stage route from Wilson to
Greenville. Why a town should be built
only one mile from another, was
question | asked an old citizen. The re-
ply was that one man owned all of Marl-
boro and would not sell a lot to any one.
He would only rent. The result was that
the farmers of this section began TO set
tie at the cross roads on the west Of
the creek, and built a school building and
church From this beginning in the
sixties Farmville1dates. 1t is a great vii
lage in the best farming section in the
State. The lands are fertile and we'll
titled. | was surprised to learn of the
amount of business done by the mer
chants, who haul their goods from Cen
ire Bluff, eight. miles and when the boat
can not get up that high on Tar river,
they get them from Greenville, twelve
miles. saw twelve mules drawing three
wagons in the direction Of Greenville.
This was the freight conveyance of one
merchant that goes every day except
Sunday. / was further informed that this
merchant pays the highest purchase tax
in Pitt county. Other merchants have
their teams going daily too, carrying cot
ton and bringing back goods.
where do customers come from?'
Over half way in every direction to the
other towns, was the reply
A branch road ie hpinp hUilt from Tap-
bore to this village and is within four
miles. Passengers and goods come to
Teddy, just across the creek. Whether
this name is a nick name, or is to tell
the world that the citizens of Teddy are
addicted to toddy- taking | did not learn.
One man informed me that the road au-
thorities had been asked to change the
name but no change had been made. AS
soon as the creek can be bridged the
track will be laid to Farmville, where the
depot is now being built. To give you
some idea of the independent spirit in
these people, one merchant said he did
not intend to sell his mules and wagons
even when the road is completed unless
satisfactory freight rates should be given.
Tie hospitality of these people is
equal in their independence. Stop over
one night and they invariably insist on
your staying next day and allowing them
to give you good time. The Christian
church at this place entertained the union
meeting Sunday and q large crowd of
visitors and delegates attended. The doors
CT all the village were wide open 10
delegates and visitors. The future of
Farmville is bright and the railroad will
give it a new impetus.
Prof. Thorne has finished the second
year of his splendid school and new
school building is the result. He in
formed me that he employed the past
year one assistant teacher and music
teacher. His music teacher was induced
to change her name to Mrs. Thorne. and
they continued the school work as part
ners.
This village has had phone service for
several years with Snow Hill, Greenville
Tarboro, Rocky Mount and Wilson and
also daily mail 1t has no bank, but one
of it's merchants is president of the
Greenville Bank. These people are not
run off the handle to get a railroad, but
the railroad men wanting their business
sought them. This business will be done
by the railroad by just freight rates be-
ing given or the wagons will go On as
heretofore.