The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-18
NEW RAILROAD |S , MAKING PROGRESS Final Survey Is Being Made and Work Will Begin Soon IS IN VIRGIN TERRITORY Between Meridian and Natchez is the Finest Yellow Pine Region in
 Mississippi and it is
 Undeveloped.
IS IN VIRGIN TERRITORY

Jackson, Miss, September 17.-(Special) Secretary schofield of the Mississippi River and Western Railroad company, with headquarters at Hazelhurst, was among the visitors to Jackson today, and in conversation with the reporter stated that everything is moving along nicely so far as the new railroad is concerned, and that the prospects are really bright.
 The final survey and the estimates are Tow being made by a large force and 1t Is expected that work on construction will begin in the very near future The money to build the road has been se- cured from Philadelphia capitalists, and there is no longer the slightest doubt of the construction of the road
 This new railroad will penetrate what has heretofore been looked upon as a pine wilderness-and wilderness of pines in these days means a fortune per acre of pine timber lands. The route is from the Queen City of the east, Meridian, to Natchez, one of the most prosperous cities on the Mississippi river, and that gives Meridian and intermediate points the benefits of river rivalry in the way of freights, and means great things for the people all along the line.
 Between Meridian and Natchez is the finest yellow pine region in the state There are sections of 40 miles into which the railroad has never penetrated, and these are filled with the finest virgin pine forests on earth.
 The Mississippi Western Town Site odi ,1ff rai1 had been organized and has recorded its char ter with the secretary of state. This company is going to locate and assist in the building of towns along the line of the new railroad, and has several of the best men and largest capitalists of the state interested. Union Church, a pros porous community in the wilds of Jef- ferson county, is to be the site of the rail- road shops, and that means there is to be at least one good town on the line. At least that is the report here, and spec ulators might just as well stick a couple of pins to this announcement.
 Secretary Schofield is feeling some in- terest in the Pascagoula Northern, also and called at the office of the secretary of state today to find out just what is the route proposed by that line This road has been built some 25 or 30 miles, as a lumber road, but charter has been granted extending the line on to Meridian, and that is of interest to the Mississippi Western which goes on from Meridian to Natchez and the Mississippi river.
 Splendid College Prospects.
 Governor Noel returned this morning
 
 he had been, accompanied by Mrs. Noel, to attend the opening of the A. and M college, the greatest educational fnstitu- tion in which the state is directly in- terested, save, perhaps, the Industrial h. stitute and College devoted to the educa- ton of the girls of the state, and which has accomplished great purpose.
 Governor Noel was delighted with the prospect. He is convinced that the pres ent is going to be the best and the most successful year in the history of the college. He believes that the attendance will be the largest in the history of the college. and that more good will be ac- compished than at any session hereto fore.
 In view of the fact that there have been all kinds of kicks and Knocks against the management of the institution, the prospect for the coming year Is very flat tering It shows that in spite of pro- tests the A. and M. college of the state of Mississippi is moving steadily along and approaching a great end-the better ment of the agricultural conditions of the state The young men of Mississippi are being drilled into the habit of thinking that the farmer is just as good, if not a little better than the man who hops around the counters of the city stores at $40 per month, and that he is en- titled to more consideration in every re- spect.
 There was a time in the history of the state of Mississippi when the farm hand was looked down on as an object of pity. if of concern at all, but that time is fast getting away. The farmer boy. the man who owns a few acres of land in his own name. is now more to be considered than the little sflk-cravatted fellow who hops around the store counter lt so much per week. generally about BIO, or perhaps g per day for six days in the week. and who never amounts to anything. The A. and M. College has had great deal to do with having oblterated old lines and is due the thanks of the public generally, especially of the fathers of the boys of the state.
 Governor Noel found that there were great many more applicants thap could be accommodated. About TOO had asked for admission up to the time the governor left for Jackson. and every train was bringing more to town. At least 1000 vis- itors and students were in attendance on the opening exercises. and the prospect Is for the fullest session the college has ever seen.