The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1904-05-19
SOMETHING ABOUT
WILMINGTON
Capt. S. A. Ashe Talks
Delightfully."- of His I'M
pressions of His
Old Home.

| that he would give us his impressions
of his old home and he cheerfully pre-
! pared for us the following:
"A good many years had elapsed
| since circumstances permitted me TO
make an extended visit to Wilmington,
| and necessarily there have been many
changes among the inhabitants as we'll
as in the place itself.
THE kind remembrance of my
former friends made my visit most
delightful Ito me. 1t has fallen to
the happy lot of but few ever to have
! had such a gratifying reunion with
old friends as l enjoyed while there.
| And then it was a great pleasure to
me to observe the general air of pros
| perity that pervaded the town.
Some years ago it was said that
| the business of Wilmington was not
developing, but of late-'since the
Revolution'-the city has made con-
| stant and rapid progress. The vol
ume of business done there is now
very large. The particular foundation
of this Improvement is the agricultural
development of the Cape Fear region
the surest basis of local business.
1T has long been evident that with
the increase of the urban population
of the North, sections of the South
would become market gardens for the
| Northern cities. The main question
was that of quick transportation. The
Atlantic Coast Line, however, solved
that question by providing adequate
facilities. The result has been a con-
tinued growth of the trucking bust
ness until it has now reached very
large and gratifying proportions, and
still it is only in its infancy. Each
year must augment the Northern pop
ulation to be supplied, and bring ali
extension of the trucking interest. IL
is a business that can not cease; 1ol
the great Northern cities Will need
the supplies that can be furnished no
where else i'm competition with the
light quick lands of the Southern
coast.
THE berry crop is very important
and in some seasons is highly remun-
erative, while the lettuce and other
crops pay handsomely. Land which
some years ago could not be sold al
one or two dollars an acre, now can
not be bought for a hundred dollars
an acre Many truckers have amaSsed
conSideraD bic fortunes, and they dis
tribute a great deal of money among
the laborers; so that this recent deVeI-
opment constituted n substantial basis
for a lasting prosperity for the city
of Wilmington.
added to this is u growing whole
sale trace. Some years back the freight
rates were an incubus on wholesale
business but better conditions now
prevail and this trade has considerably
increased. The cotton business, also,
distributes much money in the town.
The chief exporter is Mr.. James
Sprunt who is now one of the very
largest cotton exporters of the whole
world. He has been very successful
in extending his field of operations,
and his business has become I'M
portant element in the prosperity OF
the town. Then the erection of cot
| ton mills has also tended to increase
local trade, while the establishment OF
the Atlantic Coast Line offices in the
city has introduced hundreds of desir-
, able citizens who distribute large
amount day by day among the mer-
chants Evidences of prosperity are
manifested everywhere. The improve
ment of the business parts of the city
is notable: and the same is true OF
the residential portions; while the sanu
that formerly encountered the streets
is no longer encountered; nearly II
the principal streets, and the roads,
having been macadamiZed with
suitable rock found in the suburbs.
Besides, on every hand are met only
smiling faces. Everywhere there was
an air of satisfaction. Every one was
busy, cheerful, enthusiastic. l heard
no discordant note, while there was a
general expression of qualification that
Wilmington and the whole trucking
region was on a high plane of pros
perity. For my own part, l was eX-
! tremely glad to find that we, who have
for SO many generations been buying
from the Yankees everything from
shoe string up, were now getting
some of our money back from them.
There were two events that carried
me to Wilmington to deliver the me-
mortal address on the 10Th and an adj
| = OF Rla.I1Ta CIV q
on the occasion of the annual pill
grimage of the Colonial Danes. !
: found the old town in its spring attire
| The Bermuda grass that makes most
beautiful sWard in the early months is
now at it's best while the water oaks
were made by dame nature especially
for Wilmington. The gardens were in
flower. and roses were in evidence. In
; deed from the spacious gardens OF
Mrs Sprunt nearly ten thousand roses
had already been cut. Wherever the
eve rested there was something agree
able.
."The memorial services were at
the cemetery, which as far as 1 know
: is the most beautiful cemetery in the
whole country / don't see how any
other can surpasS it in loneliness
: There on memorial day, We're gath
cred a large number of old veterans
, and ladies, and many children, and
| lHlllh lnGee companies VI SOluleIS-
; the young men of the citv. The inhabi-
tants of Wilmington have ever been
among the most patriotic of the South
. ern people, and the war left it's marks
/. deep and strong upon them. They dc
l not forget. They cherish memories OF
the past; and memorial day is OBJ
" served there more generally than in
. most other communities. All the banks
! and business houses, / believe were
| closed, and there was a general cessa-
ton of business. The attendance at the
[ cemetery was very large and there was
$ the greatest profusion of flowers and
| Wreaths.
ION the beach-opposite Wrights-
: vile Sound, a summer settlement has
been made that adds to the attrac-
tons OF Wilmington. I do not know
i of any other seaside resort that is
/ comparable to it in social excellence
E or equal to it in agreeable location
And by the way, since | am talking
about the water, | am reminded that
last summer the News an Observe,
!, had a symposium on the Fish Question
{, During this visit I renewed my
Quaintance with the best of the finny