The Forrest City times., 1902-07-18
A Day in Edens Suburbs.

III the Wldener neighb0rhoOd Col.
Sweet, the Joshua of Griggs, claims all
that part of the township north of the
railroad as the site of the garden o.
Eden, claiming better crops, prettier
women, nobler men and more money
than any part of the county. The peo-
pie south of the railroad are more
modest IN their claims. being content
with being 4 suburb of that famous
garden.
On arriving at Widener, we found
royal welcome from T. and J.. DeRos-
lit, Sheriff Williams. Riley Xendrick,
Jas. McCutchen and others, whom we
found gathered around pine box with
Jack Knives in hand. discussing as to
who had the best crops. each claiming
that distinction. In the question of
crops, squirrel hunting was not
thought of, and ye correspondent was
compelled to put aside his hunting
traps, aud enter into the discussion,
himself being an expert Oh the double
shovel. singletrees, pony hoes and
disc wheelbarrows.
Tuesday morning a special visit was
made to Sheriff Williams magnificent
plantation on the st. Francis river,
consisting of nearly $50 acres in cult
walton. This magnificent farm has
been rented to three celored men, jim
King. Green Walker and Wash Burns.
who share crops with other hands,
The condition OF the crop speaks well
for their labor and management, 1t
would be impossible to describe their
crop, for fear of being charged with
eXageration. A trip through The corn
fields was worth the visit-the yield
being estimated at from 60 to rs bush
els PER acre. Out Of sight" is the
way 10 express the cotton crop The
plantation shows careful management
on the part of Sheriff Williams, and
the good houses and fat darkies aleo
show consideration, and insures good
labor
On returning home We passed by
the Cook, Turley, Kerdrick and Nc
Daniel farms, all of which have fine
crops. On the Mcdaniel farm we
were pleased to end another step to-
ward independence on the part Of the
planter-that of IA clover field and arti-
| choke patch. Before leaving the Will
liams neighborh0od we should not fail
to notice the interest the school direc-
| tors have taken by erecting hand.
some negro school house on the Will
lams land.
In the afternoon we visited the plan
tation of Eugene Barrow, another
claimant of having the best crop in
the bottoms, and justly too, when the
fact is considered that his ground is
| jast out of the woods, and some no,
having been plowed since planting.
Mr.. Barrow can certainly feel proud
of his crop. In. course Of time this
400 acre plantation will be the model
of the bottom country. Everything
that is being done is first class, and
the comfortable tenant houses and
other conyeniences will always com.
mand good tenants.
All over the suburbs of Eden we
passed magnificent crops growing, sc
that with our limited knowledge o.
farming we were unable to Judge who
has the best of it But we can safely
say, if nothing interferes, the bottom
folks will have cotton to sell and corr
to burn.
We are indebted to Messrs. Frank
and Jim DeRos;tt for courtesies, " be
! with becoming modesty refused to say
anything about their Fishing Lake
plantation north of the railroad, but
simply put us off by saying wait"
The little city of Widener has a
| bright future before it. The incor.
poration and building of the works OF
the Griggs Township Milling Co.. is a
starter towards its future. The De
Rostt Co. have splendid store
| roomy, clean and lighted with gas
showing the large stock of goods off to
| advantage Withers & Houston also
| have "A store, and the demand and
|! large stock of goods they are carrying
! will compel them to build a modern
building shortly. Widener is the only
convenient shipping point on the
Choctaw in tie bottom country, and
the 5000 bales of cotton which will be
shipped from that point, will merit
competition, and some day soon the
town will be incorporated. with Hon
+. W, DeRoSitt as the first mayor.
The trip % tie bottoms was enjoyed
very much. bnt every rose has its
thorn; in passing through the bushes,
ye correspondent took on his share OF
"chlggers," and since then Las had
more trouble in dislodging them than