The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-05-17
A PUSHING AND
PROsPEROU TOWN
John Blue Has Developed a
Rich and Growing Section.
WANT A NEW COUNTY
The People of Parts OF Cumberland and
Robson Will Ask It.
SPLENDID OPENING FOR NEW INDU sTRlES
Lumber Business FIourishes- Splendid School
Facilities---HaiIroad May BE- ExteL-
ded 10 Fayetteville
Shortly.
WANT A NEW COUNTY
The People of Parts of Cumberland and
Robson Will Ask It.
SPLENDID OPENING FOR NEW INDUSTRIES
Staff Correspondence

Raeford, N. c., May 16-The closing ex-
ercises of the Raeford Institute this
week has been an occasion of much pleas
IRE and enjoyment, not only to the pupils,
but to all who attended. The session
just closed has been the most successful
in its history. The attendance during the
session numbered It's. Prof John A. Nc
Leod is the principal of this school, and
the people are very justly proud of hav-
ing such an efficient educator at the head
OF their institution, aided by his able
corps of assistants. / understand the
work done during the session by both
teachers and pupils is very gratifying and
satisfactory. The exercises began Sun
day by an appropriate sermon delivered by
Rev. Mr.. Fulford, which embraced
much food for thought and good advice
to all present, especially to members Of
the senior class, composed of young men
and women. The literary address was
delivered by Prof. ]. B. Carlyle, of Wake
Forest College. 1t was not my pleasure
to hear it. but from what those who did
ted me, and from what I know OF the
man, am sure it was a rare literary
treat to all who were present
!. The grounds of this institution COM
prise about four acres with a neat frame
building in the center. On the left is
large school hotel, and around the square
are several cottages for the use of the
pupils. On the south side of the school
campus stands neat new handsome
Presbyterian church On the left is the
new Methodist church just completed. and
1t Is one of the neatest and prettiest little
churches, both inside and out, of its kind
know of in the State, The seating ca
pacity is about 500 Near the Methodist
church is the Baptist church There are
also some Episcopalians and members
of other denominations here. The reli-
gious institutions, and the good school
aided by the fact that Raiford and its
surrounding country is strictly a no
whskey temperance community, is a suf
ficient guarantee Of heightened, intel
hgent, moral citizenship that any com
munity may justly feel proud
Raeford is located in the extreme south
western portion of Cumberland county,
about twenty miles from Fayetteville.
twelve from Red Springs by dirt road,
and eighteen miles from Aberdeen, via
the Aberdeen and Rockfsh Railroad, gen.
orally known as Blues road. This rail
read property, a distance of about so
miles, Is owned exclusively by Mr. John
Blue and Sons. The road was originally
constructed as lumber road, but as the
timber has been cut off the lands along
its line. farming operations have increas.
ed, and a gentleman thoroughly con-
Wersant with these land and their pro-
ductive qualities, told me for fruits and
truck of all kinds, no finer lands could be
found anywhere, and for general farming
purposes the lands around Raiford for a
radius of 10 or more miles for cotton,
fruits, peas, tobacco, truck, are especial
ly adapted. The soil is mostly sandy
loan, with rich clay soil few inches
below the sand.
The terminus of the A. and r. Road is
at present Dunderrick, a distance of
about seven miles from Lumber, Bridge,
which is a station on the Coast Line road.
have it on goodsauthority that it is
strongly being contemplated to build this
road to Fayetteville When done it win
be great convenience to the travelling
public, and at the same time develop a
fine farming section. Such enterprise as
this should be much appreciated by the
PNopAS INiIl6 III Ilic SCCllOu 0hIOu6n Whit
1T traverses, and the promoters ought to
receive credit for the venture and outlay
OF money it takes to build a railroad,
| was surprised to find out here in the
woods such thriving little town az
Raeford / thought l would see little
country cillage of about four or five
stores, a post office and about $50 popu-
lation, but beside what has already been
mentioned, | found a town Though only
four years of age) with a population of
little over 600, ten or twelve general
merchandise stores, two drug stores, two |
millinery stores, two livery stables, one
sales stables, two hotels and other small |
e, business houses mat go to make up a |
thriving little town of GOO population,
and also see here some very neat, hand. |
some residences and cottages.
The stockholders of the Bank of Rae
ford held their first meeting on the 18th |
inst, and perfected an organization with |
twelve thousand dollars capital stock, and |
elected the following directors: A. w.
e. Capel, of Troy; John Blue, of Abcr-
deem ]. A. Blue, of Timberland; j. A. /
McPhaul, DudarrAch, and J. c. Thomas,
John W. Moore, DR.. George A. Graham,
w. j. Upchurch, j. w. Johnson, N. S.
Blue, of Raiford. Mr.. John Blue was |
elected president DIR. George A. Graham,
first vice-presdent; ]. C. Thomas, second