The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-12-30
HOW THE BLUES ARE BUILDING
BUSINESS FOR THEIR RAILROAD
Establish Settlers In Successful Farming Industry and
Lead the Way With Experiments Made in Prac-
tical Way To Test Out the Land
(By BION H. BUTLER.)


Aberdeen, Dec. 27.-Among the
younger men of the State who are
doing things for North Carolina is
w. a. Blue, general superintendent OF
the Aberdeen and Rockfish railroad.
Will Blue was born in a little house
out along the line Of the road a few |
miles from Aberdeen, where his faith |
er was carrying on a lumber opera |
lion
He grew up with the mills and with |!
the railroad that John Blue, the faith |
er. built to bring in the lumber cut
at the mills. The young man took to
the business affairs of his father as
naturally as though he had been the
reincarnated spirit of Henry Fink,
Samuel Spencer, or some OF those old
time operators, and father and son
together have developed their road,
which is one Of the substantial little
roads of the State, and they are de-
veloping the country the road ira
verses.
John Blue is owner of much land.
Will Blue has likewise come into pos
session of considerable acreage. Will
Blue. being younger, is taking on his
shoulders many Of the responsibilities
that have rested on his father, but in
most respects their business affairs
are conducted. I imagine, much after
the results of tine deliberations and
joint plans Of the two Of them.
The Aberdeen and Rockfish road
was projected to haul the freight from
the lumber mills. AS the lumber was
removed men began to farm in Hoke,
Robeson and Scotland, and trains
that had been hauling logs found the
load changed to cotton and fertilizer
and from mill products to farm
ireights.
These men, father and son, per-
teived that to make the road do the
best business it was wise to encourage
the country through which 1t runs
20 make all possible advancement. Sc
father and son have been for years
y careful promoters of the progress OF
the line from Fayetteville and Wag
ram to Aberdeen.
An Irish Potato Project.
drop into the Aberdeen and Rock
Ash office and I find w. A. Blue IL
the midst Of q scheme to plant a 10
of early Irish potatoes in the countr!
his line traverSeS. He is in cOmmu
nication with a commission house II
Norfolk which proposes to provide
ton OF fertilizer to the acre, and stan'
some Of the other expenses for shar
Of the crop. This looks good to MI
Blue so ne takes up the matter wit
the farmers Of his territory, and a
the present time the plan is befor
his people for discussion. 1t is likei
that he will induce many OF the farm
Il
market the coming year, and In dom
it he will get several cars OF freigh
for his road. and bring money TO &c
of the farmers at a time when none
looks like a remembrance from hon'
For half dozen years Mr.. Blue ha
been encouraging the farmers 10 plai
NatermelonS and CantalOupeS, and IN
result is that in the early summer tn
Aberdeen and Rockfish railroad hau
out from Moore, Burke, Cumberlan
and Scotland Counties, lot of meiol
and cantaloupes and hauls back int
these counties a bunch OF money tn;
helps materially to buy shoes Tor II
children and clothes for the baby.
When the question of tobacco can
Op last spring the Blues were amor
the foremost men to try to awake
Interest out on the line of their roa
and without overlooking the helL tn
camel rom other men, the moveme
has reached such proportions that {
estimate is made OF nearly two thou
and acres Of tobacco on the Aberde'
and Rockfish road for the coming Sc
son
Not Simply Advising Farmers.
Will Blue is not simply an adVlso
farmer Neither is his father. IN
are among the biggest of the practiC
planters of the state. They have &C
ton gins of their own, yet they load
4. car OF cotton and send it to the g
at other places when their own cap
city is taxed, or when they want
distribute the product for various re
sons. They plant waternelons on
scale that enables them to proVi
freight by the car load for their o'
transportation. They try out n
things. and follow the inyariable r.
of endcayoring to know what In
recommend before they recommend
Sery highly.
While the Aberdeen and Rockf