The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1904-12-16
MlddIesboro's Creator Dies.


News Of the death In New York
City OF George W. Arthur, has re-
falled some Of the remarkable a
chicvementa which went TO make up
bis remarkable career. Chief among
thcse was the scheme by which anoth.
e Pittsburg was TO have been Great
"a In the heart OF the Kentucky and
Tennessee mountains In the neighbor-
hood OF Mlddlesboro and Harrogats
The excitement OF those days. back
ln 1853. when lots on the mountain
side, almost Inaccessible save with
ecallng ladder, were selling at fabu
luus prices, rivals the tale OF John
Law and the Mississippi Bubble"
ana the aimilarlty Is further carried
out by the inevitable seqnel-tho
bursting OF the bubble
George Arthur was assisted in the
Engineering OF this stupcndous enter
prise BY his brother. A. A. Arthur,
and they made the scheme lock 50
feasible that English millions werc
thrown into the scale In an effort To-
accomplish their designs Il was
known that the mountains were rich
in ores and mineral deposits and
that untold wealth was waiting thos
who developed the region. The En-
gllsh capitalists were convinced. and
came with their money to embark In
the enterprise. The region was To
become an English shire. whose sa-
lubrious climate was 10 attract thous'
nnds seeking health and wealth.
Then over the peaceful little towns
of Middlesboro aud Hnrrogate came
changes, the effects Of which ART
sin in existence. New building wer
erected. great macadamiEed road
was built up the mountain side, and
at It's end arose magnificent no
tel, called the -Four Seasons" ant
which had few superiors In the Unit
cd states Land values grew b!
heaps and bounds. Fortunes wer
made and fortunes were lost; real os
tate was sold NJ auction at unhear'
bf prices, and brass bands made tn
welkin ring as taey headed the dali
procession TO the place Of auctior
People flocked TO the region whic
/ was being transformed by Englis
gold, and the little country town
grew with astonishing rapidity. Stree'
were improved. magnificent residence
were erected: great. wide Sidewalk
Iwere built. and oil Of the signs
{permauent and enduring prosperit
tere abroad In the land. George A
|hur's residence. which cost In Il
Itglon OF ,25O.O0O. was at once Il
0Ilde and wonder OF the communit
In the -Four Seasons" hotel luxul
II|rned even to the extent OF a pr
|1lo theatre and stock compar
d players composed Of some OF q
|..I known actors and actresses
|hal day. A fine country club. wi
1a1|ous grounds, was one OF 4
|..lufes OF the establishment
'Ihon came dissatisfaction and I
|11nIAn of the house OF cards. 7
|ns||6h capitalists superseded the \
I00I IN the management OF the pre-
II||c.. and disaster followed disast
rn||| nothing was left Of the wh'
I'|||1I|ng outlay out a memory q
.0.. OF the substantial lmprovemel
|NI|lh remain TO this day. Fortul
I.II |ost, and among the unfor
I.|I| wore the yIslonaries with no
m. but heir courage left to them.
Cou'|| then TO Louisville. Geo
|0| |'|med a company for the
.|.0.|I| of Alexandria. Ind. a "a
'.||.| M the center Of tho territ
~ Glitch .|. lust undergoing a gr
Z .O '.'|| tho spur Of the new
vi .''|Hl gas.
~ ... |. |1lu enterprise ho won
W .I. whore ho was uuecI
'| '..'.'Hg the erection Of M