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

ment was heard Of in 1850. In 1859 an
amendatory act authorized the election
of one mayor and four commissioners,
though it was not until 1877 that the
town fathers had home. in which to
meet, their deliberations before this date
being held in stores and private dwell
ings. In 1895 the present city hall was
built of brick.
A NEW KINSTON.
These are but a few scattering items
OF the history of thriving Kinston, up to
the time in 1895 when a large portion of
the town was wiped out by fire from
whose ashes a new and progressive Kin
Ston has come into being. In February
and March of 1895 the town saw the
major portion of its business houses go
up in smoke and it was so heavy a blow
that the State watched events in Kinston
with anxiety
But there was no need of it, for it's
business men had faith in the town and
in the section. Success had come in the
past and the future could hold no less
in store, so with renewed courage and
determination building was begun and
the Kinston of today has risen in beauty
from it's ashes, more substantial than
ever before
A STORY OF GROWTH.
From a small beginning Kinston has
made progress with the years and today
it stands as one of the leading towns of
Eastern Carolina, Offering many advant
ages to settlers and capitalists, and
backing up these offers by pointing to its
own success and growth.
From 1882 to 1886 the town had
'"boom'' period of unnatural growth. At
ter getting we'll cured OF this a steady
advance set in and now Kinston has
population ranging up towards 5000 peo-
pie.
The value of the real estate in the
city limits amounts to nearly $500, COO, and
the personal property to about the same
thing. The bonded debt of the city
amounts to $4,000, and the tax rate is
for city purposes 20 cents or the $1O0,
with $210 on the poll, for school purposes
so cents on the 800 and 80 cents on the
poll 1t owns its electric light plant, and
is we'll equipped for protection from fire.
A SUMMARY OF RESOURCES.
There is in Kinston in the way Of
resources Il most substantial showing,
but while the list is a goodly one it is
but an index of the still greater pros
perity which is in store for the place.
In the list of its present achievements
there comes two banks, cotton mills, one
knitting mill, two lumber mills, one to-
pacco fertilizer plant, two Single mills,
two carriage factories. three brick mills,
one steam laundry, building material fac
tory. mantel factory, six big tobacco
warehouses, eight big tobacco stemmeries
and steameries. eight big tobacco prize
houses, two competing railroad lines and
water transportation, many live and en-
ergetic merchants and a large number or
professional men, ranking with the best
legal talent in the State.
ITS NEEDS AND OFFERS.
Kinston has need of more and varied
manufacturing enterprises and it offers
to capitalists some splendid investments,
very low rate of taxation, cOntented
labor in abundance and extremely low
freight rates
To home seekers first of all it cites
its health record and the longevity of
it's inhabitants, it offers a home where
hospitality and sociability reign in all
their warmth, it tells OF it's many
churches and the cultured pastors who
minister to the spiritual needs of the
people. il promises the education of all