The Aberdeen weekly. [volume] (Aberdeen, Miss.) 1878-1933, 1904-11-25
THE PROSPEROUS CITY OF ABERDEEEl.
A Trade Center.

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remain remember distinctly that
many years before the war Aberdeen
was considered one of the best towns
of Mississippi. Ii was the recognized
trade center OF the territory within a
radius of forty or fifty miles. Practi-
cally every planter i'm this section
brought his cotton TO Aberdeen. as the
Tombigbee river was then the prin-
cipal means of transportation, and
cotton and other agricultural products
were shipped on the river 10 Mobile
and New Orleans which were the
main markets for the products Of this
territory The shipping was done on
the river exclusively until the first
railroad was put through in 1869 1t
was a common sight to see four or
five steamboats, at the wharf in Alb
erdeen. and in cotton alone the ship
ments on the river averaged 10000
bales each season.
The river is still navigable in sea
sons. but is now little used for ship
ping. the entire traffic being handled
by the railroads The government is
now contemplating its Improvement
for navigation in the near future.
Early Institutions.
In the early days or both the town
ma county society was but little III
yided by sectional lines. In church.
politics and social matters men felt
that their interests and happiness
were interdependent. and in the de-
sire 10 promote the general welfare
sectarian feelings were lost sight of.
Education was a prominent feature
OF our social development, but the
schools were log cabins and the facil-
tiles were for many years limited, but
as the wealth of the community in
creased. better structures were erect
ed and improvements made. The re-
ligious convictions OF the people were
fervent and the churches advanced
with the schools.
Development.
With Aberdeen as the business CEN
ter of this entire territory, it soon be-
came evident that the county's inter
ests demanded its selection as the
county seat and in 1857 the present
court house was built. AT the time of
its construction this building was con-
sidered one of the most magnificent
edifices in the State. 1t was the scene
of many a stormy discussion in the
antebellum days and is of historic in
terest.
Like all the towns in this territory,
Aberdeen was greatly reduced and i'm
poverished by the war, and it was
many years before her old time pros
perity was revived. In 1869 a branch
line of the Mobile G. Ohio railroad was
built from Muldon, the first railroad
coming into the town. Fifteen years
later the Canton, Aberdeen & Nash
vile Ga branch of the Illinois Cen
traD was built. and in 1886 the Fris-
co. or Kansas City. Memphis & Bir-
mingham. entered the town. Given
these superior railroad facilities, with
Memphis 121 miles to the northwest
and Birmingham 13s mile to the east.
Aberdeen has been able to expand her
industries and increase her wealth.
The establishment of the first news
paper in Aberdeen dates back many
years before the war. The "Conserya-
tive" and the Sunny South" were
we'll known publications in their days.
Col. Mat Galloway, the proprietor of
the latter paper, went to Memphis and
started the Avalanche" Major VIM.
II. Vassar and John Vesey were noted
Aberdeen newspaper men. The "Ab-
erdeen Examiner was established in
1866. by Major S. A. Jonas. its pres
ent proprietor. and in 1875 the "Aber
deem Weekly" was established bv
Colonel +. p. Thompson, who retired
from newspaper work twelve years
ago. The Weekly" next passed into
the hands of T. !. Graves. and in 1900
the paper came under the control of
Davenport & Harris. with T. T. Dav-
enport. editor and manager.
Fertility of Soil.
Monroe county is among the finest
and wealthiest counties in the State.
The yields of cotton. corn, hay. and
smaller crops are immense. In cot
ton the county produces from % 900
10 $4,000 bales per year. The hav
crop Is exceedingly productive. Weld
ing about $50 to $40 per acre. The
lands in the eastern portion have been
noted for their wonderful orchards of
peaches and apples. and truck farming