The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1905-06-01
A TRIP THROUGH THE DELTA

A TRIP THROUGH THE DELTA.
Brandon, Miss, May 27.-To Edi-
tor Of Brandon News-Dear sir: Hav-
ing been requested by you to write for
your interesting paper, write this
communication regarding my late
visit to the great delta, today. The
desire to see once more this remarkable
section Of our state, where had spent
thirty years Of my long life, was stim-
ulated by the reception Of many letters
from those hospitable, generous peo-
pie-my old friends and neighbors-
so about the middle Of April, I went
up, first to Leland. | would never
have recognized the town, so great has
been the Improvements. Where was
only cotton field three years ago, is
now covered with fine brick stores and
residences-some Of the latter very
handsome structures. They have as
phalt pavements, water works. elec-
trio lights and soon will have motor
cars running from Leland to Green
vile. ! visited my kinsman, Capt
Feltus, on whose plantation this
miniature city is built, and from him
cleaned much Of the information i'm
part to you of conditions in Washing.
ton county. It had rained almost IN
ceasingly for six weeks; the country
reminded an old resident Of the over
flows when subsiding. Field work
was greatly retarded; on many planta-
tions almost no plowing had been
done, cotton stalks still standing all
over extensive fields. Labor is scarce.
For the first time, saw many COM
Portable tenant houses unoccupied as
far up as Lula, in Tunica county.
Near Leland was my old home, and |
was at the houses Of some of the most
extensive planters on Dear Greek.
They told me the labor problem had
driven them to experiment with emf
grants from the province Of northern
Italy. Hundreds Of families had been
employed. The planters represent
these people healthy in this climate,
frugal, Industrious, and very skillful
in manipulating the soil. They will
lingly pay, in the delta, Sc to 81 per
acre rent, but as they generally come
provided with means Of subsistence for
two years, do not accept aid from the
land holder. "This is an objection, =
said gentleman to me, who Guilt
Yates thousand acres. 'How did
advancing negroes result with you last
year," inquired. 'The drop in
cotton caused me loss from this OF
$780," was the reply. The profit in
supplies is very great when a bale to
the acre can be made, selling for ten
cents per pound, but | have known
many fine estates lost at the venture.
From Leland went to Greenville
The same rapid development, on q
greater scale, saw in this, the queen
city Of the delta. New churches,
palatial homes, fine banks and chari
table institutions are in evidence
everywhere.
"The Kings Daughters Home
struck me as long stride towards the
perfection Of human charity. It's
cost is $40, 900 and has beel built by
the ladies Of Washington county. Ir
spite of continued rains, and back.
ward cultivation, all these people, sc
accustomed to vicissitudes, are happy.
I remained q week in the elegant home
Of my old friend, Mr.. James Robert.
shaw, president Of the Citizens bank.
where again I had every opportunity
to gain correct information from high.
" intelligent and cultivated people,
up to date in every sense Of the term.
Land is worth from $50 to 500 pei
acre, according to location.
After seeing all my dear friends in
Greenville, ! again boarded the |. q.
train for Helena, Ark. 1t still con-
tinued to rain, and observed from
the oar window all through Bolivar
and Cohoma counties, thousands Of
acres Of unoultivated land; in many
places covered with water.
II spite Of all obstacles, some pc.
culiarly energetic farmers had planted
both cotton and corn. About one.