The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-05-28
FUTURE AGLEAM
FOR WILMINGTON
Hugh MacRae Has Plans
of Magnitude.
HE SMILES, is MUTE
Over 100000 Acres Have Recently
Been Bought to Garry Out CoIoni-
zation Plans. "0ur Population
Will Increase 100 Per Cent
in Five Years."
(stan Correspondence

ed here within short time. Winning
ton is to make a great stride forward
that will probably not be equalled by
any other city and section in the
South. Hugh MacRae, who is inter-
ested in the industrial development OF
this community and of the South gen.
orally. stated some months ago that
the population of Wilmington during
the next five years will increase 1Oe
per cent He offered to bet that tins
prophecy would come true, and now
there are outsiders, who are in total
ignorance of Mr.. MacRae's plans, who
will back him III q wager of this
character.
Everybody has heard of the "Atlan-
ia spirit" the clement that has done
so much to make a great city at the
capitaI of Georgia. Wilmington has
really caught that fever.
Only a few years ago one of the
wealthiest manufacturers in Whining
ton was in Greensboro, negotiating
for the sale of his large plant in Will
mington. Seated in the Benbow Hotel,
he gave me his reasons for desiring
to sell out his Wilmington interests.
Every undertaking that is for the
city's progress, that is proposed by
those who have money, is discouraged
by an idle set of well known people
whose families have been prominent
in the city's past history" said this
manufacturer. "They have nothing
and appear not to wish others to
make the city go forward and for the
reason that no appreciation is shown
for the efforts of public spirited men,
l, among Others have determined to
invest my capital elsewhere.
That manufacturer did not sell his
plant. [ asked about him this week
and | find that he not only did not
sell, but he has doubled his capacity,
until his Wilmington industry is the
largest of its kind in the entire South.
He is today hurrahing for Wilmington
and putting his money there and aid
ing jim every way within his power to
make the progress of the community
phenomenal The idlerS, who cried
down progressive undertakings of 9th
ers a few years ago, are lending their
efforts to aid in the forward move
ment and where they have only talk,
their former wagging tongues are now
turned to good purpose instead OF as
in the past.
What Hugh MacRae's great under
taking is few know. No one is in po-
sitionto speak authoritatively and every
member of the firm is out of the city.
Prosperous looking strangers are
seen here and there, but their bust
ness is not stated and they are con-
Quoting Investigations along their own
lines quietly. 1t is known that about
200,0 acres of land have already
been bought up in this section, that
n large force of surveyors are busy
working on the newly bought prop
erty that soil experts are Analysing
samples from practically every acre
of soil in four counties, and that a
great colonization scheme which will
bring thousands of new families into
this section is being perfected.
The colonsts will be brought, it Is
said, from Michigan and then addi-
tional forces vii be brought from
Italy 1t is believed that arrange
ments have been almost perfected for
the locating here of the very best
class of Italian immigrants ever
brought to this country.
Hugh MacRae & Co. have an en-
tire floor of Wilmington's newest Of
flee building, and here a large force
is busily engaged on work about
which they will not talk even among
themselves. When the subject is
mentioned they cannot refrain from
smiling and almost saying aloud Il
wish j could tell you how big this
scheme is
Hugh MacRae is having many kind
WORDS Sal0 ttDOuC mere IlOW. L he
people are beginning to believe in his
undertakings and their confidence has
grown TO such an extent that they
talk of if as our" movement.
In every line of industry Whining
ton is pushing forward and that Will
mingtcn spirit" is proving a great
helper. AS a resort the city is going
TO make a record breaking season this
year. The Consolidated Railways and
49,, u
take care of the traffic for Wrignts-
willie and Wrightsville Beach as it has
never been done before. While ex-
cellent schedules were maintained
last year, even better schedules, bet
ter equipment and more of it, will be
ready for this summer The encamp-
ment of the two regiments of State
guard is looked forward To here with
unusual interest and plans are being
made already for q great entertain<
ment of the soldier boys and the Off
GERS of the State gadrd
The Hotel barrymore is about
completed on Wrightsville Beach. Mr..
w. j. Moore, the proprietor, has per-
sonally superintendent the construc-
ton and the building is almost ready
for occupancy 1t will be ready for
the reception of guests in two or
three days. BY carrying out an un-
usual oIHSiiiS, MI VhOOIe mas d.
ranged his building so that the ocean
is within view of every room in the
hotel Every room is an outside
room. Hundreds of electric lights
will make the place attractive at
night and the dining room and ball
room are two large and airy apart
ments that viii make the hotel popu-
lar.
The rates via all Railroads.&c. to Will
mington will be as low as ever before
and already about twenty excursions
to the City by the Sea have been
booked. Altogether this summer
promises to be most successful for all
resorts, but Wilmington has reason
to expect the greatest record in its
brilliant history. w. II. b.
The Boy In Patches.