Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1913-09-06
BOOSTING SOUTH GEORGIA

boosting South Georgia. Every county
of the southern part OF the state isl
represented. The following account
about Americas and Sumter county is
the work of J. w Furlow, city editor
of the Times Recorder
During no other year within de-
cade has greater progress along lines
material been made in Americas and
Sumter county than during 1913, AMI
this, too, despite adverse conditions
during the spring Recommendations
which threatened the great staple !
crop, cotton and the period of financ-
ial stringency generally prevalent ov-
er the country following the change
/ in national administration and uncer-
tainty for the time existing.
1t has been said in all truth that
Sumter county has never experienced
a crop failure, and while the prospect
for a time was rather foreboding, con-
ditions improved, as they do, always
at the right time; uncertainty vanish
ed and just now the usual abundant
harvest in Sumter is assured. 1t cost
little more for the farmers to make
this crop by reason of numerous
paintings and costly cultivation, but
the result will be satisfactory if only
a fair price for the staple is paid.
Americas will receive $4,000 bales
cotton this fall, this being the guam
tity receiver annually, and upon the
basis of good crops and the prosperity
prevailing generally. Americas mer
chants are optimistic regarding bust
mess conditions and all look forward
to prosperous and remunerative
fall and holiday trade, and are max
ing purchases in the East accordingly.
Throughout Middle Georgia.
Conditions prevailing in Sumter
county obtairf very generally in neigh
boring counties, though hardly to as
great extent, as no other county in
this section approaches Sumter in
fertility of SOIL agricultural progress
and general commercial prosperity
Sumter county is one vast garden
seemingly 1t is cut up into small and
highly productice farms, worth FROM
$25 to 500 per acre, according to To-
cation, while 1900 miles of good pub
lie roads and splendid graded high
ways permeate every nook and local
ity, making every farm accessible TO-
Americas as a market.
Sumter county works eighty coh-
victs on its public roads the year
round and spends 100000 annually in
building graded roads and improving
others. Consequently no other county
in the South has such good roads. This
work has been carried on during six
years, and without a bond issue The
money for the work is raised by di-
dect taxation, but the rate is 81
small as not to prove arduous to any
extent.
Within the last two years South
Caroliaians removing to Sumter coul-
ty have invested nearly $1,000,000 ii
farming lands here Every settler is
pleased, and could today sell his farm
here at handsome profit over cost
price if he so desired Not one has
returned to the Palmetto state after
having settled in Sumter.
Sumter's Taxable Property.
The taxable property values in
Sumter county are very near $4,000,
600, as shown by the tax digest for
the current year. The tax rate is only
.01.40, or $14 per $1,000 of value as re-
turned by the property owner
During the current year, 1918, more
than 100000 has been invested in
new enterprises and new buildings in
Americas. This amount does not in
clude $4,000 recently voted for
three new school buildings for the
city public school system, which has