The Tupelo journal., 1904-12-23
By H. E. BLAKESLEE, Jackson.

a success, even beyond the anticipa-
lions of the most enthusiastic. The
display was a revelation to all, and
simply bewildering to many. The
common expression was, Did YOU be-
lieve that Mississippi could raise such
a vast variety and splendid quality of
stuff" The attendance was most sat
isfactory. every county in the State be-
ing represented in greater or smaller
numbers. In all. something like 20
600 people attended. The result will
be worth many thousands TO the State
in the way of stimulating the people
to greater efforts in the future, and
also in letting every man who attended
know what WaS being done and what
could be done in the State. While
the larger portion of the exhibits were
from the Southern section Of the
State. there was a pretty fair repre-
sentation from everywhere, and no
part was left entirely without an eX-
hibit of some kind. Undoubtedly the
most complete exhibit from any
county was that from Jackson, on the
Gulf coast. although Harrison was a
close second. and the hOnors were al
most evenly divided. The grand prize
for q single farm exhibit was awarded
to Mr.. Eastin Jones, of Kinds county,
who made a fine showing as to what
one man could do on a few acres of
Mississippi dirt. The Gulf & Ship
Island railroad had a magnificent dis
play of the products along its line, and
it was complimented by all who saw
it. Mr.. F. H. Lewis, of Scranton,
made the best display of semi-trOpical
fruits and nuts. The largest pumpkin
was raised by DR.. Miller, a member of
the legislature from Sharkey county.
The best turnips and hay came from
Crystal Springs, and the best Irish po-
tatoes, beets and radishes came from
C~entreville, in Wilkinson county.
Prentiss county was represented with
a huge watermelon, while Monroe cap
tured honors on fine corn and other
products. P%oplarville made the larg-
est and best display of cane syrup.
while Crystal Springs walked Off with
the hOnors on flowers. Columbus was
given the grand prize on dollhouse
flowers for commercial uses, and Ran
kin county was the winner for dairy
products. The live stock exhibit and
fowls were from the near vicinity Of
Jackson. and while it was greatly ad-
mired and highly creditable. did not
represent what the State could pro-
duCe. as well as in other lines noted.
Foreign manufacturers of wagons,
buggies. farming implements, road
working machinery, etc. were we'll
represented. Take it all in all, it was
a fair representation of what the State
al do, and highly successful in every
respect. The exhibits from different
sections of the State will be noticed
briefly in the first few weeks after
Christmas. the writer believing that
all will be interested therein. Ar
rangement for a larger and more COM
plete fair are being made for next
year. and every community in this
great State of Mississippi is notified
to begin right to grow or prepare
something to show at the time to be
selected later on, presumably about
the last week in October or the first
week in November. 1t will be the
means of bringing u State to the no.
tice of those seeking homes, and at
the same time stimulate our own peo-
pie to greater efforts.
There are opportunities for all
who desire to W homes and
sup under their own vine and
fig three right here in Missis-
sippi, and if the facts were known to
thousands of people in the crowded
sections of the North and East. would
bring them here as soon as they could
arrange to come. We need more good
people who want to own homes and
make an honest living. A small
amount of money properly spent
would bring large returns as the best
investment that could be made. The
Legislature might set a little aside for
this purpose and not be mobbed by
their constituents when they returned
home. Think about 1t in the mean
time.
Speak a good word for your State,
county or community every day and
witness the result. If an opportunity
does not present itself with sufficient
frequency, make the opportunity.
x s. Il
AS a result of a long and active
campaign, the Daughters of the Con-
federacy have secured a magnificent
picture Of Jefferson Davis, painted by
a noted Washington artist. 1t will
be hung in the hall of fame in the
new capitol as the browning piece of
love n esteem by loyal Mississip-
plans. The presentation exercises
will be held on January 10. Miss
Kate Porter, who spent many hours
and days Of hard work in raising the
money for purchasing the portrait,
will speak in behalf of the Daughters,
and present it to Gov. Vardaman as
the representative of the great State
of Mississippi. Gov. Vardaman will
present it to Hon. Dunbar Rowland as
keeper of the department of archives
and history. Mrs. o. M. Gregory,
who has been very active in securing
the picture. will unveil it, and it will
be given the place Of honor, that all
see it in the beautiful hall of
fame. This is a just and fitting trib-
ute to the honored dead of our be-
loved Southland, and the good ladies
cured, have the heartfelt gratitude of
all loyal and true Mississippians.
The Edward Hines Lumber COM
pany, of Chicago, has bought 10000
acres Of pine lands in Pearl River
county and will erect large mills
thereon at an early date. These mills
will give employment to a great num-
Der of people for a considerable time
and prove a benefit, but how much
better would it have been if all this
vast quantity of timber was to be
worked into the finished article here?