The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1902-05-06
correspondence of The Messenger

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Correspondence of The Messenger
Williamson, N. c., May 2.
That the tide Of progress in North
Carolina is tending eastward has never
been more clearly demonstrated than
an the material development Of Martin
county since 1896. Up to that date tee
Farming element had seemingly re-
manned ignorant of the great store
houses of wealth in the soil around
them. The key to the door of this
~storehouse might properly be called
Confidence" TOR tbs proven TO have
been the only i1ing lacking; but like =
strong man when aroused from sleep.
they arose and in an intelligent and liz
alustriOus ann began the cultivation
Of tobacco-the commercial value of
which has made more towns than any
enc thing in the state.
The soil peculiarly adapted to the
production of tobacco had ain in many
Instances neglected year after year.
and there are thousands and thousands
a. acres in tn county. Upon the soil
is grown the finest tobacco North Car
slina has ever produced. In the pear
grass section, particularly, one will find
. grade of the leaf taking prizes, not
emily in the state. but at the Paris ex-
position. But, perhaps, no one section
may boast-all parts are fitted if prop
sly cultivated
1t is said and clearly proven by re-
suits, that the finest rappers, pro-
duced heretofore only IN Cuba, grow
abundantly in this soil. This year the
increase in acreage is immense and the
prospects were never better for any
section Of North Carolina.
Our farmers are a sturdy, Industrious
and intelligent set and the growing of
the weed Is no fad with them, but a
determined effort to make Martin the
banner county IN tobacco culture.
The cultivation of tobacco must, of
necessity, bring before the minds of the
people the need of an accessible and
practicable market for its sale. The
business men OF Williamson, the chief
town in the county, realizing the i'm
pOrtance of the movement and what it
had done for sister towns, formed a
stock company with all necessary CAPT.
taI. Dennis s. Riggs, a man young in
years, but full Of those qualities which
go to make the successful business
man, with an able corps of assistants,
was placed at its head. Perhaps, no
other market Iii the state will begin SO
prosperOusly.
This company is erecting two ware
uses with a foor space of 90, 900 feet;
TWO prize houses, three stories high.
and a stemmeiy with full capacity for
caring for every pound of the leaf
Bnuyers will find every facility for
shipping in excellent order.
Judging from the acreage there will
be between three and five million
pounds sold on the floor.
An added Impetus will be given to the
AoarIof ~ H. ADnn;n~ IF n -Dolu-.1-
through the 1oxlands of BERTHE to one
of it's main thorOughfares, affOrding an
excellent opportunity for the farmers
Of that county to bring their tobacco
to the Roanoke and then bring across
on the ferry to within half a mile of the
warehouses. BERTHE is engaging in to-
baccO for the first time and will, so
say experts, produce a fine grade. The
roadway to Williamson will ma
terially benefit both sections, and the
tobacco can be marketed in a very con-
v~enient and satisfactory manner.
Williamson is naturally situated to
become an important place in the COM
mercial world. Transportation is ex-
cellent. Daily lines of steamers direct
~ in touch with northern markets, and
the Atlantic Coast Line with it's COM
modious and handsome depot and four
daily trains, give all the outlet one
may ask. Telegraphic and phone lines
are excellently managed, and no place
in east Carolina is better prepared to
please. To those seeking a home, there
is offered healthful location, pure
water and the satisfaction of knowing
that they are to dwell among a people
kind. energetic. h~ospitable to strang-
ers. The town is growing rapidly. The
Land and Improvement Company has
opened new streets and sold numerous
lots to those contemplating building in
the neal future. Handsome residences
are in course of erection, and the build
ing force is taxed to the utmost to
complete contracts. There is no boom.
but a steady stream of improvement
set in motion by men of means and
enterprise.
The merchantile business has always
been profitable but never so much as
Row. The crops OF tobacco haze
brought money into the pockets of the
farmers n they keep it in circulation.
The Martin bank has gained the conf
dence OF the people, and its facilities
for accommodating are most excellent.
1t will move INTO a handsome new
building in a short while and be better
equipped to serve.
One of the best weekly papers il tie
state is published here and it's editor
is an energetic promoter of all that Is
best for the town and county. The Of
hce is fully equipped to do as good joh
work as any IL North Carolina
1t may be truly said that no market
has a fairer prospect of success. The
directors of the company have been
very careful in the selection of men 10
ana the Warehouses. Men of wide
experience ana energy will ultimately
bring success. The tobacco will be a.
our very door. and the quality beng
known throughout the state must bring
the full complement or purchasers. All
things necessary for the convenience or
both seller and buyer will be had a.Ic
the Williamson tobacco market is even
now an assured success
EXERCISES FOR MAY 10TH