The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-08-18
ROBESON'S FARMERS BLESSED.
h County of Robson and Raeford
in Fine shape.
Red Strings. y. c, Aug. Il.


Editor Messenger:
The farmers OF Robson are blessed
with the finest crops known since the
civil war. Corn and melon crops have
been injured somewhat by an extremely
hot and dry spell which recently pre-
vailed but abundant showers have sue
ceeded and the prospect OF an abundant
yield is assured. Many farmers are
busy curing tobacco. but the low prices
for Jugs are very discouraging and if
the same depression prevails when the
finer grades are marketed this impor-
tant industry will come to an end in
Robson. Melon w are highly
pleased with sales and immense guam
titles have been shipped On the farms
OF Martin MckinnOn, Esq, near Red
Springs, melons Of very large size are
raised. Thirteen car loads shipped By
him averaged 45 pounds each melon.
The oat crop in this section was a
failure owing to the prevalence of the
Hessian fly. a new pest has mad its
appearance in the cotton fields in the
shape of a red spider which attacks the
leaves and stems and causes the bOlls
to wither n fall. Notwithstanding
these drawbacks the general prospect
is very fine. Along the road from Red
Springs to Raeford in Cumberland the
crops are in excellent condition owing
to deep blowing and general improve
ment in cultivation. RaefOrd is a
handshaking Scotch town on the line
of the ROckfish and Aberdeen railway
and inhabited almost entirely by de-
S~cendantS of Scottish immigrants. We
there found McRaneys. McFadyens,
McGilIs. McLeans. McLauchlins. Nc
Leods, McDuffies McMillans, McIn-
tyres, Blues, Grahams. Curries, Me
Raes. with Scotch Irish Decisions.
Moores, Upchurchs and others.
Professor Mcleod. the PRINCIPAL of
Raeford Institute has a fine school
With a Presbyterian church on the west
side of his barracks II a Methodist
church on the east. A Baptist church
is located about one mile from town.
We were informed that the same con
gregation attends all the churches. The
town is dry as a powder house, has no
our house nor jail. no newspaper
and no law office nor lawyer. There
are three resident physicians h re-
iSde here for the benefit of the excel
lent school, privileges and depend large
ly Upon their farms for support. Their
practice in other places except in cases
of accidents which sometimes occur.
The Rockfish and Aberdeen railway
10 WILLS d" Pl $3.50 -
owned by Ohm Blue. Esq. who resides
in Aberdeen. Mr.. Upchurch. a wealthy
lumber manufacturer. has also a wide
guage railway connecting his lumber
plant with the main line.
Raeford is an ideal town and what
strikes "a visitor is the hospitality of
the people. We spent two hours in
the town and during that time rece1v-
ed numerous invitations to dinner. This
is the only Incorporated town in the
state that has no cemetery, no SICK
ness, no whiskey and no lawyer. An
old citizen some years ago spoke of this
region in the highest terms: During
20 years [ never heard of a criminal
writ having been served on a white
man in that section Situated on the
northern border of the level plain that
extends to the sea and at the foot of
the billy. rolling country. Raeford
enjoys unusual advantages as a health
resort and we predict that in the near
future this place will rival Southern
Pines or other places where healthful-
ness is desired.
From among the hills to the north,
a of soldiers was raised in
January 60 for the Confederate army.
Every member Of the p was OF
Scotch descent. The organization was
effected at Long Street on January
25th. The anniversary of the birth or
Robert BurnS-and after a Drlel deldy
the under the command of
Captain MurdOck McRae MCLAUGHLIN.
marched to Ralei"h. distance of SO
miles and rendered to the governor. OF
a number of about 120 men only a
small number returned from the war.
perhaps as many as p. Four brothers
OF the name of Ray We're members OF
this company and ali were killed in
action or died of wounds received in
battle. Company G, oath Regiment was
raised principally in Robson and of
$50 men, only about 80 could be found
in the year 1882. About 20 men of
this were surrendered at
Appomattox under the command of
Corporal Jeff Davis, who was then
highest in command on that day. From
this Scotch section went many of the
artillerymen who stood behind the guns
at Fort Fisher.
H. MCMILLAN.