The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-01-03
ROBERSONVILLE.

Since Jacksonville was swept by fire
three years ago, no town in Eastern
North Carolina has made more progress
along the general line of industries rep
resented. Large brick structures have
taken the places of the old wooden ones,
and the town is fast assuming the pro-
portions of a city.
During the past year, the tobacco
market, one of the leading business en-
terprises here, has surpassed the expec-
tations of all in the way of progress.
Over two million pounds have been sold
to date, and there will probably be one.
half million more before the market
closes. Prices have been low compare
lively speaking, but this market has kept
abreast with the best markets in this part
of the State, is well established, has a
solid financial foundation, and it's con-
tinuance is an assured fact.
The mercantile people have done bet
ter than they have in years. Trade has
been good and all the merchants are Ia
a prosperous condition. AS much stuff
is handled at this depot as any place
between Tarboro and Plymouth. The
freight receipts were larger the past year
than they have been in any year during
the history of the town.
Six new residences and one large store
went up during the past year. A town
hall, one of the handsomest and bes.
equipped in this section, has been COM
pleted, and is a credit to the town. A
drug and hardware store will open UP
Jan. 1st. We have the largest and best
equipped school building in this county,
and as able a faculty as can be founc
anywhere in these parts. No town I'm
I4- d. fr,d n.s
along the line Of education than has this
town during the past year, and the pros
poets for even greater success during the
coming year are brilliant. There has been
a great awakening among our people as
regards this question, and their efforts
to push this cause forward is a united
one, which one fact makes success a
surety.
During the year 1903, several new eE-
terprises have been established. Among
which may be mentioned, The Weekly
News, which was started last March, and
which, contrary to expectations, has run
on successfully. The News is on solid
basis and the prospects for another sue
cessful year are good. 1t is supported
largely by the people of the town who
take pride in helping to carry such
cause forward. The banking business
recently established by ]. c. Robertson
is a sure mark of progress. His bank
is in excellent condition financially and
is largely patronized by the people OF
this and surrounding towns. A new Bap-
fist church has been built during the
past year In whicn regular monthly SER
vices are held. The Kinston-Clarks Brick
and Tile Company of Kinston, N. c..
have purchased a site and begun work
on a So. 900 brick plant which they pro-
pose to have in successful operation by
March the 1st. DR.. r. ]. Nelson OF Ever
etts has moved here and will assist DR..
r. H. Hargrove in the practice of med
cine in the future.
Religiously and morally speaking, the
town has an upward and forward ten
dency. Four denominations are repre-
sented-the Baptists, MethodistS, Dlsei-
PIES and Primitives, each, of which has
regular monthly services. The moral tone
and sentiment of the people are on
higher plane than usual.
The population is rapidly increasing.
Mere people and better people are moving
in constantly. During the past year our
number has almost doubled itself.
Real estate has advanced so per cent
within the last year, and there is not
an unoccupled mouse OF any description
in the town. Every inducement is offered
to people with capital, and no town in
Eastern Carolina can offer more advan-
tages than Jacksonville.
Every industry here has done well the
past year and there are good evidences
that they will do better the coming year.
This is a live and wide awake town,
with an energetic and enterprising spirit,
and today, the first day of the year, its
people are full of hope, and the prospects
ere that this year will be the most sue
oessful in it's history.
A. r. DUNNING.
Editor Jacksonville News.