The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1905-01-05
COTTON BURNED IN SOUTH.
Georgia Growers Start Movement to
Destroy 100000 Bales,
Fad Break In the Market-It Follows ia
emit Esport That ~11.s4s.1I3
Bales Had Been Ginned,

Atlanta, Ga.-Fearing bankruptcy be-
cause of the tremendous slump in cot
ton. the farmers and merchants began
taking a heroic measure to prevent a
further fall and to advance the price.
This measure is no\ess than the burn
ing of a portion of the cotton which
has.not been marketed. 1t was pro-
posed that 1000, 900 bales be destroyed.
each State to burn its proper proper
ton.
The burning began in Georgia, and
it was estimated that several thousand
bales of cotton We're ablaze in the
southern section Of the State. AT Fort
Gaines alone e 5000 bales We're
burned, and other towns report similar
bOnires.
burning the cotton. AT Fort Gaines
farmers came from ali over Clay Coun-
ty to join with the merchants. The
cotton was rolled into the Court House
Square, and after the merchants and
farmers had marched around it III pro-
cession the torch was applied.
In several other towns scenes similar
to those in Fort Gaines were enacted.
It is estimated that more than 500, 600
worth of cotton was destroyed.
1t is said that the example set by
Georgia will be generally followed
throughout the cotton-producing States.
The farmers and merchants have de-
cided to set the pace and began NOV
inGtdeterminedly.
Fear of Il decline in the price of cot-
ton that will put it below the cost OF
production has caused the movement
to burn the surplus of~about 100000
bales above any crop heretofore grown
jill the South. Even at the low prices
prevailing the realization of this plan
would result in the destruction of up
ward of $50, 000, 900 worth of the sta
pie. January cotton sold in New Or
leans at $40 cents, which, with the av-
erage bale weighing Over 500 pounds.
would make each bale worth upward
of $50.
Those who have worked up the cot
ton-burning plan do not propose that
all the burning be done in a few days.
They proposed to have the cotton de-
stroyed gradually in order to show the
~world hat they are in earnest.
The planters and many of the mer-
chants in the smaller towns Of Georgia
and the other cotton-growing States
have been rendered well nigh desper-
ate by the slump, and they felt that
they must resort to desperate measures
to cause an advance.
Dispatches from Fort Gaines and
other places where the cotton was
burned lay stress on the seriousness
with which the deed was done.
Those taking part went about it as
solemnly as if engaged in a religious
ceremony. At Fort Gaines hymns were
sung and prayers said. There was
nothing riotous about the proceedings.
The farmers and merchants seemed to
feel that they had been driven to the
wall and were making a last effort to
saw themselves from ruin.
James Is. Harrison. one Of Georgia's
leading cotton buyers, killed himself
at Gainesville. Harrison had 1900
bales Of cotton which he purchased
during the season. He frequently said
that he expected to hold the cotton IN
til he got twenty cents. When lie
learned of the break in New York he
purchased a pistol. went to his room,
and shot himself through the head.