Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1901-12-07
MISSISSIPPI MATTERS
81 aeAeNesss
NOTES OF PAST AND CURRENT EVENTS.
By KATE MARKHAM POWER.

Capitol, Ut. hlltyy PcoluShb VI w.
Historical Society, has already re-
oeived numerous suggestions, some
very creditable and few artistic de-
signs. A Mississippi woman now re-
siding in Paris is at work on a design
which she hopes to see adorning the
splendid new Capitol of her beloved
native State. The idea of having this
prominent ornament the work of home
artists is excellent, and we hope the
result of the contest will be in all re-
spects worthy the faith the commits
sion felt in their own young men ami
women.
A most unique piece Of work (stat-
uary), by the way, adorns and greatly
increases the beauty Of the State in
sane hospital of Louisiana. And
story of intense interest and deep pa
thos attaches to it, When the build
ing was nearing completion the ques-
ton of design for the ornamentation
of the tympanum arose. The work II
properly done would entail consider
able expenditure Of money and more
than that, the authorities knew not
where to turn to find the artist who
could and would do the work. Dur
ing a conference over the dilemma a
communication was brought to the
physician in charge from one OF the
patients, an Italian, asking that ne
be allowed to make a design for the
entrance. His letter was regarded as
the vagary of an insane man and re-
ceiyed scant courtesy. One Of the
physicians, however had long been in
terested in this patients peculiar
tastes and in his gentle demeanor, and,
more to entertain the man than be-
cause he hoped for results, he pro-
cured the needful materials, gave the
artist a workroom and told him to
do his best. That the poor fellow
needed the kindly admonition is pat
ent to the world-or so much OF it as
visits the Louisiana insane hospital
for there, in heroic proportions, beau
tifully executed, is the result OF the
Italian artist-patient's design. 1t seems
that his artistic talent and skill were
left unimpaired in the fearful wrecF
of his mental powers, and for year'
he had begged to be given some sucE
work, but was always refused. We
are glad to add that his absorption
in the work he loved made contented,
docile patient of man who had hith-
erto given his attendants great care
Whether he is still at the hospital we
do not know, but his beautiful work
is there and will live long after his
Door, clouded brain is made clear and
his restless hands find ease in bet
ter land.
Meridian is already preparing to en-
tertain the State Convention of the
Sons of Veterans, which assemblies
there on the 18th of March. The
Queen City of the East expects to
entertain at least 500 guests, and she
will do it we'll Every county in the
State should have at least one camp,
and these should all be represented
at the State conventions. Only few
more years and it will lie with the
Sons and the Daughters Of the Con-
federacy to keep bright and fragrant
its hallowed memories The brave
old soldiers are falling faster meath
the cruel shafts of time than they
ever fell in battle and there are none
to hasten to the front and take their
places. unless it is our young men and
women. And it is our duty and should
be our pleasure 10 do it. The best way
to do this is to organize thoroughly
and keep the work alive in the hearts
Of the young people.
The latest authentic news about the
NJ, j. & X. c. R. r. comes from Col.
Merrill, in an interview with the Mo-
bile Register. in which he says that
all ARRANGEMENTS have been completed
for building a road from near Au-
gusta, in Perry county, to Memphis,
by way of Laurel. At the same time,
says the Progress, the road is belE5
pushed to Hattiesburg as fast as it
can be. Certainly it looks that way,
when the roads attorney is buying
ND rights-of-way through Hatties'
burg and contractors are advertising
for laborers by the hundred to work
on the Hattiesburg line The Progress
asserts emphatically that the main line
will come by Hattiesburg, and that 1t
will get there ahead of spring. 1t tur-
ther states that branch will doubt
less be built to Laurel, and may ba
continued to Memphis, but it stands
TO it that Hattiesburg will be on the
main line. The rumors anent the builc'
ing of the NJ, J. & X. c. at least give
the people something to talk about,
We hope it will not be long before it
will give the people along its main
line and it's branches plenty to do and
bring into the country the money with
which to do it.
South Mississippi's hardwood timber
is coming into prominence, and as
natural consequence is in demand A
New Orleans hardwood dealer last
week bought forty carloads of poplar
and other hardwoods to be delivered
at once. The dealer will be able to get
all the stock for the order near Hat
tiesburg. There are fortunes added
to fortunes in Mississippi's hardwood
timber. and unless we bestir ourselves
men from the Northwest will soon be
here to gather in these fortunes
The fact that there is still vast
deal of cotton in the fields between
Jackson and Natchez eXcites comment
among the travellers over that busy
line. Last weeks issue of the Holly
Springs South says "Some of these
fields have never been picked over and
in others the second picking would
make a heavy crop fox the county.
II is on hill land, too, and some of il
has been in cultivation for more than
Il hundred years" This speaks well