The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-01-05
Leads all Dailies imews and Circulation
MOVING ON A SOLID BASIS.
Eow smithfsld Rwoko from Rip Var Wiaklo
slrmtor to virile Energy
fS.7jtAfeld IIerald.)


When trade and industrial cOni itiCrs
arc so depressed as they arc now in East
ern Carolina, it is the more note7 Worthy
when a town or community still y ursues
the even and ever improving path1 yay OF
q substantial success. 1t is indeed graf
flying to us that we have not been called
upon to chronicle the failure or the bank
ruptcy application of business man in
our town within the past several years.
The fact that we have had no failures
of itself indicates the solid prosperity OF
Smithfeld But when it is rene mbered
that this period has marked the lntroduc-
tion and successful inauguration of many
industries and enterprises here, IT clearly
shows that it's prosperity is founded upon
such a solid basis as to render 1t immune
from panics or disasters of an ordinary
nature.
AS our readers, who are at all familiar
with the history of Smithfield, will recall,
this old town aroused itself from its
slumber of a century one morning five
years since, and suddenly decided to get
a hustle on itself" This sudden deter
mination was a matter of surprise to all
who had known the town in the past and
ii was hard to convince these skeptics
that the old town had emerged from it's
Rip Van Wrinkle state of sleep and im1if-
ference. 1t remained for a practical de-
monstration of energy and capital to con-
vince the doubtful.
A tobacco market was projected and
launched in July, 1885, with an unu sual
success. The market now possesses three
sales warehouses; a stemmery and five
prizeries and will this season sell 2,0OO,-
600 pounds.
The inauguration OF the tobacco mar
ket created the necessity for bank and
so the bank of Smithfeld became one of
the most powerful factors in the develop
ment of the town and county.
Many now residences and business
houses began TO dot the town, new streets
were laid off, and many desirable lots
were sold. Building became SO universal
that The Brooklyn Manufacturing Com
pany was found to furnish the necessary
lumber. This concern fills all local de-
mands for rough and dressed lumber, and
ships 5000 900 feet annually to the North
ern markets.
One thing called for another. The
Smithfeld Cotton Mills became a reality
instead of a dream The establishment
OF this enterprise has been of vast benefit
to Smithfeld and vicinity.
The erection of the handsome and nice
ly equipped "Tuscarora Inn" was then
commenced by the Smithfield Improve
ment Company. This building, embrace
ing new quarters for me Bank of Smith
field, stores, barbershop, sample room,
parlors. and twenty-five bed rooms, will
be ready for occupancy about January Is.
To enumerate the many enterprises
successfully launched within the past five
years. would weary our readers and
crowd these columns. The affairs OF
private nature have received no mention.
The increase in the number of stores, in
population, in country produce sold. in
the amount of merchandise sold, in the
amount of freight receipts. in the weekly
labor pay roll, would surely convince the
most skepticaI that Sn14thfield was en-
joying a most WONDERFUL era of pros
perity.
Possessed of all the traits and advan-
tages that operate to make the town
prosperous, Offering cheap and unexcelled
educational advantages. enjoying in this
period of depression perfect credit,
Smithficld bids fair TO continue through
out the coming year the marvellous
growth that it has enjoyed during 1901