Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-02-20
FROM THE SUNNY SOUTH.
The following interesting letter from
our townsman, DR.. +. p. Felch of the
Sanitarium, will be read with interest: I:

our tOWnsmdn, Df. II. +. relcn OF the
Sanitarium, will be read with interest I:
FAYETTEVILLE, TENN, LINCOLN, Co.
EDITOR ALMA RECORD, Alma Mich.
DEAR SIR:-Business called me here,
so / took advantage of the time allotted
to me for vacation. and left Alma Fri
day night. Being obliged to lay over at
several points did not reach here until
1870 on Monday, the nth, although the
trip can be made in SO hours.
wish could paint you a pen picture
of this land and its people, but my inabil-
ity to do so makes it necessary that con-
fine myself to few abbreviations.
believe the first thing which impresses
northerners at this time of the year, is the
change in climate. To be transported in
few hours from a land of snow, fur
robes, sleighs and sleigh bells, to coun-
try where grass is growing, buds are peep
ing forth, flowers are making ready to
bloom, and people sit bare-headed on
1
on which to siD is certainly contrast.
Snow is, in this country, almost lux
ury. Rarely does the mercury sink so
low as 10 degrees above, although resi-
dent of Nashville, told me yesterday,
that some years ago it dropped to 20 be-
low. Sleighs and sleds being of no use
the people must be content with the
monotany of wheeling.
About the second impression received
was the marked cordiality and hospitality
of the people. One will hardly have cross
ed the border before this feature will be
noticeable. Everybody greets strangers
with the most cordial spirit Conductors
of trains will shake hands with you.
Landlords of hotels will wait on you hand
and foot and private residents open their
doors wide to let you in. They. one and
all welcome you to their house and home
with freedom which certainly out-strips
the north.
Possibly the next impression one re-
ceives is the colored people, who of course
are here in great numbers. One meets
all grades and sizes, from the great
swarty black man and the much cherished
"Old Nanny" TO tiny bit of a being,
black as ebony and not much more than
ID inches long.
The colored population are character
study of themselves; and one must have
time in which to study them, before he
can draw any conclusions. Ones first
impressions is of an amusing nature.
Seemingly, a colored persons highest
idea is to dress and the more brilliant the
attire the more elated the colored man
becomes. A feather in the hat. a red
neck tie are colored mans delight. II
is common sight, to see anywhere from
l to colored people, each wearing some
fancy garment, riding after mule,
Whose name perhaps may be "Am-
ansly') hitched to a rickety wagon, by
ropes and the harness fastened with
strings.
think the traditions concerning the
Incidence of the colored man of the south,
to be we'll founded. II certainly seems
that the prevailing spirit is that of do
just as little as you can, and don't hurry
about doing that little"
The proverbial white trash" are here
and have much the same appearance as
the white trash of northern states.
The south is not ahead any on that line,
the impression to the contrary notwith-
standing. The language and manners Of
these people, both white and black, must
be heard and seen to be appreciated; and
shall make no attempt to illustrate them
on paper.
This country has great resources,
which l believe the people here do
not correctly estimate. This particular
part of this state has fine farming lands.
Cotton, grains. fruits of all kinds, pota-
toes of anv varieties can be raised here
in abundance. Some of the soil needs a
little fertilizing. which is true of northern
states. Sweet potatoes can be made to
yeild from 200 TO 400 bushels to the acre.
Corn from Is to 100 and other things in
like proportions.
There is an immense amount of lime
stone here which seems to be Of com
mercial value. Timber is here in large
amounts and many other resources too
numerous to mention. There are many
well educated, honest, industrious souls
here, who would do credit to any state
Educational advantages are increasing,
and l wish to mention one peculiar local
feature, which is that of transporting the
children by rail to the schools. The n.
{. x St. l.. makes special feature Of
this on one of its branches. A train
brings in the children in time for school
and returns them at night
But this note must be brought to close
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