The Forrest City times., 1913-06-20
OPTIMISM AT WlDENER
\ Times Man Visits the FlOurishing Town and Finds Everybody Full of Energy and HOpe-Business is
 Good and Prospects Bright

A representative of The Times made a little business trip down to Widener on Monday, where we had the pleasure of meeting quite a number of the good citizens of that section, and where we were most cordially treated by all. It was, indeed, a source of wonder for US to note how quickly this favored section has recovered from the effects of the spring flood, and the generally prosperous outlook for the people.
 Among the prosp porous farmers whom we met was our old-time friend, MT. George Bowman, who now holds the ribbon as the champion poultry-raiser of the St. Francis valley. On Monday MT. Bowman shipped two coops of choice Light Brahma hens to the market in Memphis, and informed us that he and Mrs. Bowman now had 580 young chicks in their yards. In addition to his successful operations with poultry, MT. Bowman is also one of the most successful growers of corn and cotton, and while he farms on a small scale, always endeavors to plant the very best of everything. His cot ton crop this year consists of thirteen acres of the very best long-staple that he could procure, and he reports that the plant is looking fine and that he has it clean and up to good stand, Forty bales of the cotton which Mr. Bowman is growing this year sold last l fall or the Memphis market at 2 cents a pound, and if he has the success with this variety that his present prospects would indicate, we would not be surprised to hear of Mir. Bow man organizing bank at Nidener 1 this fall
 Much of the cotton crop in and around Widener is small, but as gen. eral rule the fields have been worked out nicely and the plant has a good l color. There iSnothing more important, however, than that the plant is quite healthy and seems ready to make rapid growth under the sustained warm nights and days. Another good feature is noted from the fact that the farmers have had another good week, which has enabled a majority of them to get their lands in perfect state Of cultivation, and the crop will improve and respond quickly to a warm rain in obtaining larger growth.
 1 Among those merchants at Widener with whom we talked were MT. c. c. Fogg. who now has associated with him in the conduct of one of the best appointed country stores in the state MesSrs. Tom and Geo. Tarver, and while these gentlemen report very little money in circulation, their busi ness is holding up most satisfactorily Ten-cent cotton this fall will put everything on the double-quick, anG will find the firm of c. c. Fogg & Co ready to handle all the business tha, such good times is sure to bring.
 The Hall Brothers also have pretty store, and we found them all in theil usual good spirits. Squire John w is talking strong for Hays, while his brother, Sam, is talking equally strong for Brundidge. The attitude of these two brothers may be taken as 8 pretty clear indication of how the entire community stands on the gov ernor's race, and, while the followers of both candidates claim victory fol their favorite, it is very likely the count of the vote in Griggs will resul, in "dogfall' between Brudidge and | Hays.
 The firm of Sweet Brothers con tinues to conduct most successful business at Widener, while the ''colonel' has joined the ice trust anc Walter is the outside rustler anC riding boss" All the Sweets are fol Brundidge, and they say there neve was time within the past four O