The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-04-08

I cannot be laid upon the opportunities
of the county of Mcdowell to the pros
pective fruit grower. Mcdowell adjoins
Yancey and Watauga, is near and it will
be recalled that apples from these two
counties, in our fruit display at the
Paris Exposition captured so very many
of the awards given there. 1t is said
that when the bearded Russian Judge
or appraiser came to the apple on exhi-
bition from these counties, these were
so perfect he was in doubt if they were
indeed apples, so he pressed them with
his fingers as he took them in his hands
and lifted them to his nose before pass
ing judgment lest they might be apples
made of wax, so perfect were they, and,
it is claimed for Mcdowell county that
her soil and her climate possesses de-
cided advantage over Yancey and Wa
tauga for growing apples. Be that as 1t
may capitalists or prospectors seeking
desirable lands for fruit growing will
make no mistake in pitching their tent
ON the elevations and coves of the lands
to De had just around Marion.
THE OPPORTUNITIES HELD OUT FOR
SHEEP HUsBANDRY OR THE
BEEF CATTLE INDUSTRY.
The Catawba and Broad valley present
| as fine grazing lands as is to be found on
the globe, and likewise these hills and
mountains, when the timber is removed,
make as fine grazing lands. The noun
| tains, after being once set to grass, will
| remain verdant with a luxuriant growth
and one will not have to contend with
parching by drought or hot winds, such
conditions being unknown within the
shadow of Black Mountain.
THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR MINING IN
MCDOWELL, NEAR MARION,
attract the mining expert and
many of these are already here
and more are coming. Mcdowell
county has had on exhibition 144
minerals. Her bowels seem filled with
minerals and precious gems. Among
these products found here are gold, dia-
mond, monazite, rutile, topaz, garnets,
graphite, boyl, aqua marine, uranium.
| The writer of these lines recently in
spected a native diamond perfectly formed
and of great brilliancy. The monazite
interest is getting to be quite an indus
try in the section. This product is used
by such people as the Welsbach Light
Manufacturing Company for producing
the white light. Gold mining is carried
on quite extensively in Mcdowell and
the field is very promising one.
In keeping with the progress of Marion.
the old court house, of colonial design.
is being remodeled, enlarged and i'm
proved, some $500 being spent for this
purpose. A system of water works and
sewerage will be inaugurated in the near
future-a recent act of the Legislature
authorizing an election to be held on the
adoption of an issuance of bonds for this
purpose.
Two important enterprises not to be
omitted are Marion's weekly newspapers,
The News and The Democrat. most i'm.
portant factors in the furtherance of the
interest of Marion and Mcdowell county.
The Democrat is edited by Mr. House.
quite an interesting and pleasant Eng
lishman from Pennsylvania. The News,
by the prince of clever fellows, Mr.. G.
G. Eaves. who is also Marion's honored
Mayor. Space forbids a more complete
presentation of the opportunities of pro-
gressive Marion. Mr.. Eayes the Mayor
will cheerfully have inquiries given at
tention.
tE