The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1902-08-17
10! A LUSTY INFANT
Four Years Old Raeford Has
a Bright Future.
An Energetic Scotch-lfsh Community. A Rich
Soil. HeaIthtuI Surroundings, Splendid
Water Power. Raeford institute,

RaefOrd N. u, Aug. 16.-RaefOrd is
located near the line of Cumberland and
| Robson counties, twenty three miles
west of Fayetteville, seventeen miles
| southeast of Aberdeen and fourteen miles
| north of Red Springs, on the Aberdeen
and Rockfish Railroad. Five hundred in
habitants, ten stores, all in operation,
eight or ten saw mills near the place.
one large planning mill plant one cotton
gin, two livery and sale stables, three
blacksmith shops, two hotels. one board
ing house. one nice Presbyterian chuhch
and a Methodist church in course of
erection. and a large school building.
surrounded by cottages, in a broad cam
pus. The town is just four years old
and has bright future. 1t is located
in the midst of a Scotch and Scotch
| Irish settlement, the people of which
are noted for their thrift, integrity, in
tellgence and high toned Christian char
acter Reverence for religion obedience
| to law, maintenance of morality and good
order, and a kindly social intercourse
| mark the community. All the conditions
for comfortable and cheap living land
for the full and harmonious development
of the physical intellectual and moral
faculties, are abundantly supplied here.
Rockfish stream, one-half mile north
OF the town. has a water power of 800
horse power. with ordinary dam, and is
easily harnessed at any point. This
stream is fed by the sponge like hills
of upper Cumberland and it has never
been known to be too low to propel
machinery. 1t offers an unparalleled OPP
portunity for the erection of cotton mills
and factories of any kind.
The general healthfulness of the town
cannot be surpassed. While many towns
last year were ravaged with fever, not
one case was reported here. With a
good high, dry elevation and cool clear
drinking water, good health is enjoyed
by everyone. South of the town vast
farm lands are found in a state of high
cultivation. Many of these farms pro-
duce fifty to one hundred bales of cotton
each year. In many places a bale per
acre is easily gathered. The soil is dark
and sandy with clay subsoil and natures
all products very early, specially adapted
to the cultivation of cotton, corn, tobacco,
melons and fruits. The North Carolina
Central Railroad, chartered in July, will
run from Fayetteville to Raeford and
on to Concord. N. c., and will connect
with the S. A. l.. at Aberdeen and the
Southern at Concord.
When the government appropriations
have been utilized in deepening and
cleaning out the channel of the Cape
Fear river this road will be a through
line directly connecting central North
Carolina with all seaport towns and
cities. On each side of Raeford along
this line are vast tracts of the finest
fruit lands. 1t is the home of the peach,
grape, strawberry and melon These
fruit lands mature very early and most
delicious peaches, grapes and melons are
shipped in car loads North, while prices
are high and returns most satisfactory
We are informed that it is the purpose
of parties connected with the North Caro-
lima Central Railroad to COLOMBO thrifty
emigrants all along the line to, utilize
and develop these valuable lands.
The town government is all that could
be asked. Hon. Jno. w. MCLAUGHLIN is
mayor, and is a most worthy citizen with
broad liberal views. The town charter
prohibits the sale of intoXicants and a
person is seldom seen under the infu-
ence of strong drink.
Raeford Institute will open its fall
term August %, 1902, under the efficient
management Of Prof. Jno. A. Mcleod
A. b., principal With a faculty of five
splendid teachers and indications Of an
increased enrolment the coming session
bids fair to be the largest and most
successful in it's history. This school
began operations in September, 1895, and
since that time the area of its patron
age has been steadily widening, and now,
after seven years of successful work, the
enrolment, one hundred and sixty from
six counties, proves the wisdom of it's
founders
The boarding department is under eff
ficient management. The charge for
board, everything furnished except wash
ing, is So per month. Washing can be
had at from rs cents to $1.00 per month.
Teachers and pupils are members of the
same household and share the same COM
forts
For those desiring such, a number of
neat and comfortable cottages are pro-
vided for families and clubs. In this
way pupils may have all the comforts
and conveniences of a well ordered home |
at cost of less than $500 per month |
The cottages are on the school grounds |
and are under the general supervision |
of the principal, who will assign rooms, |
making changes whenever it becomes |
evident that such is for the benefit of |
the pupil, or for the best interest Of the |
school.
Special attention is given to music and |
art. There are two literary societies and |
ample religious advantages
The Confederate soldiers of this COM |
munity will hold their reunion here on |
the first Saturday in September. Barbe-
cue, baskets, speeches and music will be
features of the occasion.
Cotton is fast opening and will be on
the market by August Goth.