Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-12-22
Prosperous vaIdosta.

LATE VISIT 70 the coming me-
~ troplis OF Southern Georgia gave
~ me an insight into the magnificent
progress OF vaIdosta and the en-
terprise OF its worthy citizenship. The
city II forging ahead at a rapid rate. A
visitor Is struck by the elegance Of its
private residences They wohld do credit
70 any city New York OF Atlanta not ex-
cepted- Ny hostess took me over her
home and gave me an opportunity Tor
seeing the beautiful native hardwoods.
with which the interior Is constructed. The
parlors were finished In magnolia. pure
white and fine grained. They were
dreaTa Of beauty IN this summer land OF
prosperity and progress
The spacious dining room was finished
IN elaborate panels OF sweetgum. and the
walls and ceilings were doubly attractive
70 Georgian when Informed that every
particle Of the timber. plain and decora-
tive. was grown in the vicinity of Val
dosta- The curly pine OF South Georgia
viii be as much I'm demand as walnut or
mahogany has been in the past when an
other century has passed over this coun-
Try, and the wood grows scarcer- The
architectural design OF these miniature
palaces are irst-clasS. and when irradiat-
ca BY numerous electric chandeliers they
are truly palatial In style and equip
ment. it
Prosperity is stamped on evey business.
the warehouses. the prOfusion Of naval
stores, the bales OF sea-isiand cotton. the
lumber yards. the numerous storehouses
on the streets.
+. From the worthy mayor down to the
humblest citizen you may discover signs
OF thrift and success. And these people
are LoWndes county people. as rule.
They we're born and bred on the soil They
are attached to their native land be-
cause OF tradition and sentiment Ny
hest. Mr.. Grimm gave me some pecans
grown in his yard. gathered from a tree
PLANTED BY his own hand thirty-eight
wars ago During all this time he has
lived in the same locality and given his
hest time and purpose TO the city he Is so
proud Of and does so much TO illustrate In
success and comfort
Mr. James Staten. whose charming
young wife Is president Of the Daughters
CT the Corfederacy. has spent all his life
in and near ValdOsta. HIS father repre-
scented Eck0ls county in the Georgia legis-
lature' horse and senate. for q long term
OF years. and his children have been more
than content TO make their home just
where his influence was so long active.
and where his good name IS justly hon
orsd-
NY mission to vaidosta was in behalf
Of the Daughters OF the Confederacy. who
are anxiods 20 aid In supporting the Win
ME Davis memorial in Athens. and 20
erect suitable monument TO the soldier
dead OF Lowndes county who fe1 in the
civil war 1t was mission OF love for
me
The EIks gave them the use OF their par
I0rs and auditorium on Wednesday night,
and the elite Of the city were in attend
ance-
These chivalric gentlemen did everything
possible for the comfort and pleasure of
Hon Mr- Merritt. the newly elected
state school commissioner. Is a Valdosta
mar IL must be exceedingly gratifying
10 hin 70 hear the regrets expressed at
his leaving. for this worthy gentleman
has Ebr their esteem and regard by his
devotion 70 their children and school in
terests In the past. and they are sorry 10
give him up. although they are proud OF
his promotion I made a little talk 10 the
high school boys ard girls on Wednesday
forenoon at the request OF Mr. Merritt.
ard Mr.. NOyes. the principal. and. BY the
way. the latter was raised in my part OF
the country. at Cedartown.
The student body Of Valdosta interested
me very much The boys and girls are
above the average in many particulars.
and their attention and polite manners
were evidences Of their capable training.
both at home and at school.
I must not forget 10 mention the de-
hghtful surroundings OF Representative
West. who made countless friends in At
Ianta as Will as at home. by his con-
servatism and good judgment as a legis-
Iator. De is certainly a most fortunate
man in his home life. with a baby. a
splendid wife and one OF the most mag
nificent homes that Southern Georgia af-
fords- shall keep my Valdosta visit in
sweet remembrance and my best wishes
win ever attend the deserved success of
fits people.