Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-10-26
STUCK IN THE MUD,

to market their cotton at this point can
have much larger loads than they could
before the turEpikes were extended
and multiplied as they have been with
in the last decade.
In the early history Of the cotton
trade Of this city almost the entire
crop of this district was marketed on
wagons. the railroad facilities at that
time amounting to almost nothing. The
wagons offered the only solution of the
question of getting their cotton to this
city. and, although there We're no turn
pixies, the cotton was brought here, and
large loads of groceries and provisions
and other nCceSSaricS of plantation life
We're carried back.
With the growth Of the extensive
network of railroads entering Mem
phiS quite change took place. These
meant the solution of the problem of
marketing cotton. and the wagons
We're largely rclcgatod to the rear.
The prices of cotton were high and the
amount paid in freight for tranSporta
tion intniteSimally small compared
with the value received for the staple
when sold. The farmers, the planters,
the merchants, all jumped at the CON
cluSion that the railroads were best,
that the wagon method was too slow
and that it represented too much cX-
pcnditure in the way of time and the
wear and tear OF the running gear of
their wagons, and only small portion
came in this way.
To- 4 l,,, 80, of
ton within the last few years and the
fact that transportation rates were not
reduced in proportion to the value of
the staple made those owning cotton in
this district, within a certain radius of
the city, east around for Il new Solu-
ton of the difficulty with which they
We're face to face. And the building OF
the turnpike proved the solution for
which they were looking. These roads
made it possible for larger loads to be
hauled, for less wear and tear on the
wagons, for less strain on the teams
and for quicker time, and the farmers
felt that they had the railroads beaten.
TurnpikeS have been gradually in
crcasng in the ncighbOrhOod of Mem
phiS for the last - years, and with
these the people living along these
roads have gradually increased the
amount of cotton coming to this city
by wagons. The turnpike lately OK
tended to Collicrvillc Tenn, has caused
the merchants and owners of cotton in
that town and between here and there
10 bring almost their entire holdings
10 this market on wagons, while before
that time the bulk of the crop found
its way to market on the railroads
passing those points. The same is
true of Holly Springs and the Herman
do district. and other instances could
also be given, but these will suffice.
The turnpikCS have made it possible
for the holders of cotton to fight tho
railroads on their rates by acting en-
trrly independent of them in bringing
their cotton in OH their wagons. The
latter is much the slower way, but
there is generally some sacrifice ncces-
sary to bring about reforms of any
kind. and the farmers and planters
along the turnpike roads do not mind
making the fight whenever they find it
necessary.
The turnpikes and the railroads have
both come to stay. and. since the latter
nre being gradually extended and are
continually tapping new territory, the
percentage Of cotton brought in over
the turnpikeS, as compared with that
transported 10y the former is steadily
increasing. The higher prices of cot
ton promised the farmers this year
may make them willing to pay the
freiGhts, but with the low prices. judg-
ing from the experience OF the last two
years, there will he Il marked increase
in the amount of cotton finding its way
to this market on wagons.
70 Lay the Dust.
Crude petroleum oil on roads will
trnvnnt .luSt i'm tho Snu1mnr npH nn1