2
SANFORD.
Population Increased 30 Per Cent, New
Industries Established.
Sanford, X. <C„ Dee. 2S, iSOO.
To the Editor: In reply to your iv
tjricst, 1 submit the following:
Ijw there were seventy new
bouses Ibnilt in Sanford. One artesian
well has Itoen finished mol is furnishing
an atuide supply of water of the very
best quality for domestic purposes and
for steam.
We have completed a first class, mod
em system of water works.
We have organiized a part'/ paid and
partly volunteer tire company.
We have about finished the brick work
i>f our large new cotton mill, using in the
walls and foundations more than one
million brick.
Oar population has increased fully 30
per cent. Tin* .fins:ness of our bank has
tjj»>ro than doubled.
Every business in. town, both mercan
tile and manufacturing. has had a most
prosperous year, doing a largely increas
ed and profitable business.
The moral tone of the town is unsur
passed'; there is not a whiskey distillery
or a bar room within six miles.
For all purposes our town taxes are
only 25 cents on the SIOO.
There is not a vacant house in town, 1
-and fully twenty-five could be rented
within one week's time if wo had them.
We have made arrangements whereby we
are offering free sites and water and
exemption from municipal taxation to
any new manufacturing enterprise. |
Os greater importance than all the
above, the three great Southern systems,
of railway pass within our gates, a dis
tinction and advantage enjoyed by no
other town in the State. Sandford in
1000 will build more than three times
as many houses as have licon built in any i
previous year of her history. I
A large wholesale grocery business xvill ;
be established here.
A number of new manufacturing Urdus- (
tries will be inaugurated.
We will buy much more cotton and.
lumber than ever before.
Wo will thoroughly equip and train our
fire department. i
There will be a new classification of
the town for insurance and a substantial,
reduction in insurance rates. j
We will begin the permanent improve-,
incut of our streets.
We will plant several thousand shade
trees.
We will inaugurate a movement for the
establishment of a graded school.
We expect electric lights
and electric power to he conveyed front
Buck horn Falls on the Gape Fear 1 liver, ,
only ten miles distant.
Unless all signs fail we will hare a
large tobacco warehouse.
We will build a belt line of railway ;
partly around the town for the conven
ience and economy of manufacturers
and wholesale merchants, offering free
sites along the line.
Our postoffice will be in the president
ial class.
Our population will increase 100 per
cent in I£K*o.
Wo will extend a hearty welcome to
all good people who care to cast their lots
with us. We will pull together, attend
to our.own business, and lend a helping
'hand to every worthy industry coming
our way.
D. B. Melver.
MURFREESBORO.
Manufacturing Concerns Enlarge and
Schools Prosperous.
'Murfreesboro, X. C.. l>ec. 28. '
To the Editor; This is one of the old
towns of the State. But still it lives
and scenic* to prosj>er and improve, like
many other things, by age. It has long
been known in this State and Virginia
for its refinement and its schools. Here j
many a young idea has been taught to
shoot, and to shoot high. And many!
homes in the .State have reflected pride,
happiness and dignity by the polishing
and elevating influence of its schools.
and its society.
The building of new railroads within j
the last ten or twelve years had a de
pressing influence and effect upon the;
business interest of the town anil many
predicted that the- “Old own” was dead.!
But it s oirxe of the livest “Old Towns” I
you ever saw.
The Chowan Baptist' Institute, for
girls, has lieen better patronized, (taring
the year just passed than it has l>een
lor a ntrmlier of years.
The Methodist Seminary has Iteen IH>-
erally supported this year and .now seems
to lie on, a firm foundation and is doing
much good in the distribution of learning.
The mercantile business of tlio town,
which was at a low obb a few years ago,
but which for the last three years has
•been on the increased, in the year 1890
broke its former records and closes with
an increase of 40 per cent over last year.
It begins to remind one of former days
when she was the “glory of the east.”
The Hertford Machine Company has
enlarged and greatly improved its plant.
Here is made plows, harrows improved
seed planters, all kinds of wood work,
repairing engines, Ikwlctb, cotton gins,
and the making of many newly invested
implements useful to an agricultural
community. It is well equipped with ex
pensive machinery of the latest, inven
tions. This company has recently added
to its plant machinery for making all
kind of wire fencing.
The North Carolina Peanut Company
is also a new enterprise recently started
in our town. It is now in operation, us
ing the latest improved machinery for
cleaning and shelling peanuts. It buys
from the farmers their peanuts at full
market pries-, if they desire, to sell or it
will clean them, or shell them for toll.
Our neighboring farmers being engaged
•rgely in cultivating peanuts, this en
•muse is one from which the town and
murnity will received great benefits.
« paw mill and shingle mill, estab
iluring the year, is in the hands
vnsing men, and bids fair to be
' of the leading mills jn the
\\v stores and other buildings
•It during the year, old ones
he town generally kept in
lition.
did waiter i>ower suitable
and other factories,
lasily harnessed. This
iplendid water ]>ower of
owns of \\ eldon and
This invites a good
to engage in such en
•cr can lie secured
am and Sou are pre
ld increase, very
and buggy factory,
r another,
bought the much in
cry and is preparing to put in operation,
in the near future, a hoop factory.
Wo have daily connection, t»y steamer,
with the Atlantic Coast Line and the j
fctouthern Railway at Tunis, X. C.
Several families of prominence and of,
worth have Ikmmi added to the population
of our delightful ‘'Old Town.” Wo are
going ahead, but are making Jul little
noise about it.
B. B. WIN BORNE.
Mayor.
LENOIR.
Capital in Factories Increased From ;
$5,000 to $25,000.
la tioir. .X. (\. Dec. 27, 1899.
To the Editor: The year just closing
lias marked an era of growth and ma
terial advancement unparalellod in the
history of Ecuoir. Although there lias
been no boom, nor any effort made to
(•mute a boom, she lias gone forward at
a rate myqunled by any town in this
part of the country. Ami yet the future
is still brighter. The assurance of a
standard gauge railroad lias infused now
life in gill enterprises. In the year 1890;
less than $5,000 was invested in Lenoir
in manufacturing enterprises, today over
8250.000 is invested in the manufacture
of furniture and other woodworking es
tablishments. There is still room for
millions of capital, and raw material to
last for years. Within- the past year
the capacities of the factories have been
increased thirty per cent.
Among the new industries which will
begin business curly in the coming year
is the Commercial Bank, an institution
established by Messrs. Moore and Lutz.
Thesis young men are two of Lenoir's
youngest and most progressive business
men. having established and operated
the Lenoir mills, where they manufac
ture a high grade of patent Hour.
The new bank building will soon be
completed at a cost of about $3,000. It
is one of the handsomest bank buildings
in the State. The bank will begin busi
ness with a capital of $15,000.
Dr. A. F. Houeh, one of Lenoir's best
physicians, has about completed, and will
soon open a sanitarium for the treatment
of his patients, llis building is modern
in all its appointments and cost $12,000.
A building is now in course of construc
tion for a machine shop. Mr. Harring
ton. an experienced mwichinist, formerly
of Pennsylvania, is at the head of this
enterprise. During the year now com
ing to a close $10,500 was spent in build
ing and repairing buildings; the town
has purchased a complete stone crushing
plant and has macadamized several
streets. Davenport college has been re
opened and taken on new life; the Le
noir High school property secured at a
cost of $3,000. Every person who was
willing to work have had employment,
•and the demand for laborers is still not i
supplied.
There’s no better location in the conn-!
try for both capital and labor than in
this thriving and progressive town, and
such is invited and welcomed.
EDGAII A. POE.
Mayor.
ELIZABETH CITY.
New Cotton Mills, Oyster Canneries
and Lumber Mills.
Elizabeth City, Dec. 29.
To the Editor: Elizabeth City has
grown steadily the past twelve months.
It has two of the largest dry good stores
in the'South, not equalled in North Caro
lina. Its business has grown wonderfully
anil it is believed it dews the biggest
business of any city of 8,000 population
in North Carolina. Among the many im
provements let me mention a few:
The cotton factory, of which Dr. O.
MdMullan is president, is doubling its ca
pacity. It earned 20 per cent last. year.
Twi) companies have been organized,
one to establish a furniture and the oth
er a knitting factory. The money lias
been subscribed and both will eommenfee
operations in the Spring.
The Citizen’s Bank, a new institution,
which began business aliout five months
ago, is doing well, having deposits in the
neighborhood of $300,000. The business
of the First National Bank is large an<l
growing. Its stock is worth SL>O per
share of SIOO.
'Eight or ten new oyster factories are
in operation, provided with facilities for
canning as well as shipping and packing.
'The streets are (being greatiy improved.
$30,000 of bonds' have been issued and
the streets arc being put in excellent
•condition with belgian block a*ml oyster
shells.
The lumber Interests, are very large.
There are 5 saw mills, 3 planing mills
and 2 shingle mills in operation, all
pressed to their utmost capacity.
Fifteen elegant brick stores have been
erected during the year, and. more are
hiring built. Many new residences have
been completed and are in process of
erection.
The completion of the Dismal Swamp
Canal, with a depth sufficient to admit
vessels drawing ten feet of water, is an
event of great importance, insuring cheap
freight rates, so necessary for manufac
turing enterprises.
A large new rice raid has been com
pleted and put in operation.
The educational growth has been mark
ed. The Atlantic Collegiate Institute
has 200 students, gathered from all parts
of Eastern North Carolina and. Virginia.
The imblie schools are doing excellent
work.
The Baptists have built two neat chap
els during the year, and the Methodists
are preparing to build a handsome new
church.
The wholesale business of Elizabeth
City is reaching large proportions. There
are ten big wholesale houses here that
send out twenty drummers,
j Work will shortly commence on the
new Federal postoffiee and court house
building for which a $50,000 appropria
: tkm has been made.
| The purchase of the Norfolk and South
j ern by the Vanderbilts is believed to
■ mean that it will be completed from Bel 1
> Haven to Wilmington, giving a line
through the extreme portion, of Eastern
North Carolina.
8. L. SHEEP.
WILKESBORO.
Locust Pin and Canning Factories
Established.
To the Editor: Nothing invested in fac
tories in 1800.
About $2,000 today. There have been
some $5,000 invested in new manufactur
ing establishments and in enlarging old
ones during the year 1800.
‘ Daring the year 1800 there have been
NEWS AND OBSERVER. SUNDAY MORNING, DECEMBER 31, 1800.
spent from SO,OOO to SB,OOO mostly in
residences. The improvements in the
• style and finish of residences is noticea
: hie. K. A. Spainhour & Co. do an im
mense business i.u the manufacture and
!• shipment of locust pins, insulating pans,
etc.
Another industry that has been estn-le
lisheil in the present year is of canning
fruits. Smock and Son have done a
good and profitable business in this line
and it promises to grow largely in the
near future.
The business outlook for the town for
the next year is most hopeful. There is
considerable talk of a furniture /factory
‘aml if is to be hoped that a number of
like nature will soon go up here.
F. 11. HEaDREiN,
* Mayor.
LAURINBURG.
A SIOO,OOO Cotton Mill Soon to Begin
Operations.
To the Editor: In reply to your in
quiry concerning am /article with refer
ence to the industrial development of our
town (and section and the outlook for
1 900. would say, that 1 regret my inabil
ity to do justice to the subject owing
to a lack of sufficient time for its pre
paration besides other matters that do-,
maud ray attention at this time.
However, oven in a hurriedly written
sketch, some features of industrial prog- 1
ross may appear, showing the many read
ers of the News and Observer that our
town is not altogether asleep as the days
go by.
It will Ih* remembered that Laurinburg
was once the seat of the railroad com
pany's shops- In some respects the shops
were a valuable acquisition, especially in
a business and financial way. The com
pany, of course, paid its employes niontli
,ly. ami the cash, the pay-roll being prob
ably about $3,000 per month. Os course !
this money was turned over to the mer
chants for supplies and this monthly in
gathering of hard cash was necessarily a
stimulus to our business interests.
But even with these advantages, there
were corresponding disadvantages that
could tint be over looked. There was .al
ways much talk of tin* shops being re-:
moved: the air was full of such reports
a twi memos means who regarded the
shops as the hone and sinew of the place,
were slow to invest their money in any
enterprise as in, event of removal their
investments would tie that much dead ;
loss.
Well, the shops were finally removed
and as expected, a depressing effect was
the result for awhile. But. a,s wise men
had predicted, the town, being been sev
ered. from this source of revenue, was
thrown on its own resources. Confidence
was again restored and the people were
not slow to recognize the necessity as well
as the' wisdom of feeling back on their
own resources if they were to have any
part in the great industrial wave that
seems to have taken in so many Southern
cities and towns.
Perhaps 5 cent cottom. the panic of
1893, and general stagnation in business
circles, though sough experiences, were
helpful in laying the foundation for the
better times that followed.
They instituted a more economical and
diversified system of farming. The farm
ers reduced their cotton acreage and gave
more attention to the cultivation of grain
and other crops. Tobacco, a crop hither
to unknown, bias fair to replace a comrid
orable per cent of the cotton acreage.
The farmers have acquired valuable ex
perience and will plant more of the weed
the coming year. A convention of Soot
lanil’s tobacco growers will meet bore to
morrow for the purpose of electing dele
gates to the State convention which meets
in Raleigh .Tan. 17th. The idea seems
to be not only to raise those things neces
sary for home consumption, that can and
should be raised on the farm, but to raise
other crops that, can readily be converted
into cash and not rely on cotton as the
solo dependence.
From a business point, we don’t think
the town was ever in better shape. The
good prices prevailing this year have en
abled the merchants to make good col
lections and the average farmer has not
only paid out but has supplies at home
on which to start the new year’s business.
Sb far as town property is concerned,
building lots are not only im demand, but
come high. Handsome residences of
modern style have i>cen erected and arc
in process of erection; there has Iteen a
general advance in rents and withal,
there is not an unoccupied dwelling in
tlie town.
Os course, xve 'Scotchmen think that
our new county of Scotland has had
much to do with stimulating progression
along all lines. Our opponents used
to speak of us ns “threshing over the
same old straw,” but what does that mat
ter as long as xve succeeded in obtaining
the pure grain?
The people have also observed that the
rapid growth and development of other
towns, have in most instances, been
traceable to the attention given to man
ufacturing. As said by another, there
can be no doubt but that “manufactur
ing is the great pioneer of industrial de
velopment.”
We think we have made a fine start
uni this direction. The ‘Scotland cotton
mills, a 5,000 spindle mill, built almost
entirely by home capital, is one of the
best built mills in. the State and is fit
ted up throughout, at great expense,
xvith the latest and mast improved ma
chinery.
The plant cost SIOO,OOO and will Is*
ready for work in 8 or 10 days. The
product of the mill will be hosiery yarns,
from 24—40 and employment will be
given to about 100 hands. Although the
"mill hits not yet made a beginning, yet
the stockholders would not take par for
their stock today. Already rumors are
hiring circulated that this mill will be
followed by another one in the near fu
ture.
This is a brief and necessarily an im
perfect sketch of our present condition,
together with the outlook for future busi
ness. Had we the time anil space we
might make mention of other matters
along this line, but for the present, the
above will suffice.
.1. T. McEACIIIN.
Editor. Exchange.
GREENVILLE.
Buildings Destroyed By Fire Replaced
by Finer Structures.
Greenville. N. C., Dec. 27. 1899.
Greenville made more progress this
year than in any one year of its his
tory. More money has l>een expended
in the erection of buildings, the volume
of business lias !>een larger, the sales
of tobacco have greatly increased, more
people have lieen added to the imputa
tion, the municipal administration has
been more progressive, and alone all lines
there has hmi general advancement. j
A great fire visited the city in May,
but so indomitable was the pluck of the
people that not a trace of the conita-'
gration was dlseemablo six months tie re-,
after. Every spot was replaced with;
larger, better and handsomer buildings
than before. j
Tin' future of Greenville is bright.
There is not, a town in the State that
offers a better opening for factories.
D. .1. Will CHAIM*,
Editor Reflector.
SCOTLAND NECK.
Has $140,000 in Manufactories and a
Shirt Factory to Start.
Scotland Neck, X. C„ Dec. 27. 1899.
In 1890 there was practical!y no capi
tal unvested in Scotland Neck, except:
about $5,000 in saw mills. Now. tb
amount invested in the various enter
prises established since that time is
$140,000.
This includes about the same saw!
mill interest flint was here in 1890; the
two knitting mills which have been es
tablished; a. handsome hotel, a carriage;
and buggy manufactory, the Scotland ;
Neck bank and some miner industries
that have added materially to the hwlus-j
trial interests of the town.
Since 1890 the school interests of the
town have been grimily improved, aj
new and eonimdious brick building lit"-:
ing been built for the male school and
good repairs having been made oil the
female school. There have been some
changes and considerable growth in the,
two schools referred to, the principals!
of the male school bring Prof. I>. .'L
Prince and L. R. Wilson, and the prin
cipal of the female scho h being IT if. i
L. W. Bagley. Besides these. Vine Hill
Male Academy and Vine Hill Female
Academy, a new school. Cottage Home,
has 1m opened during the past year by i
Miss Lena Smith.
A tobacco market was opened here
August 4, 1898, and lias bad two sea
sons of successful sales.
The manufacturing and business out
look for 1900 is quite flattering indeed.
A new shirt factory for which machinery
i.s already in place, will start up the
first of January, employing When in
full operation, about one hundred opera
tives.
Early in 1900 there will be erected on
Main street two brick buildings tor
stores and offices, one costing $2,500
and the other SIO,OOO. In addition to
these, as many as forty dwelling houses
will lie built within the next four months;
and persons of ability to do the work
say that a pea,nut cleaner will be estab
lished hero by the peanut season in
11K *O.
Within the next' few days a new hard
ware business will be opened here by
gentlemen of means and experience, and
other new branches of business tire in
contemplation.
•Since 1890 the population of Scotland
Neck has increased about 50 ]>er cent.,
ami with the new industries now being
established and in prospect, there is rea
sonable expectation for a still larger in
crease in the near future. Business has
never been so 'good, in Scotland Neck as
now. The xveck ending December -•».
1899, was the greatest week ever known
in the business liistory of the town, and
it is the general opinion that Saturday,
December 23. xvas the biggest day for
actual business the town has ever seen.
From careful estimates by the busi
ness men here the volume of business
done in the town, outside of the manu
factories mentioned, is 59 per cent,
greater than it xvas in 1890.
The improvements in the various enter
prises here last year amounted to $15.-
000. and there is a good prospect for
still greater improvement and enlarge
ment in 1900.
It has never been claimed that the
town had experienced any phenomenal
growth during any year or term of years,
but its growth and improvement have
boon gradual and permanent, and the
outlook for manufacturing industries a twi
general business is brighter mow than
it ever has been. E. E. HILLIARD.
Editor Democrat, »
GASTONIA.
$200,000 Was Put in Factories and
$240,000 in Buildings.
Gastonia. N. C.» Dec. 28, 1899.
To the Editor: Complying xvith your
request to furnish you certain facts con
cerning tlie growth of Gastonia, and the
development of her resources, 1 would
say:
The amount of capital invested in man
ufacturing in 1899 was about $109,000.
Today the amount is about $750,000.
During the year 1599 the amount in
vested xvas about $200,090. of Which
$150,000 xvas used in building and
equipping the Ozark Mills, and the bal
ance, $50,000, xvas used in building and
equipping an addition to the Modena
Mills.
Tlie old mills here, having made such
large dividends for their stockholders,
have greatly aided the stockholders in
launi-hinig out into new* industries; and
then the two banks here have furnished
a good deal of money; while many of
flu* merchants and some of the farmers
and professional men have prospered to
such an extent as to enable them to own
good holdings in stocks in these enter
prises.
The amount of money spent in this
city for building and repairing in 1899
xvas alKHit $240,000. We have two
schools of high grade in the city. The
Oakland 'High School and The Gastonia
Institute. These schools Ihax-e had a
marvelous grovlh in usefulness and
popularity; and they are in all respwls
keeping pace xvith the wonderful growth
of the city. (The popularity of the city
in 1890 was 1,033. It is now nearly
5,000.)
The manufacturing anil business wit
look for 1900 is very bright. Our mil
lion dollar cotton mill xvill lie built and
another smaller miller has already or
ganized xvith a capital of $125,000.
Very truly,
WM. 11. LEWIS,
Mayor.
MARSHALL.
Manufacturing and Business Outlook
Bright.
Marshall. N. €., Dec. 27, 1899.
To the Editor: In answer to
your questions Nos. 1, 2. 3, 4 and
5, (I xvill say in answer to question
one. the amount of capital invested In
manufacturing in the town, of Marshall
at present is about $12,000 or $15,000,
invested in a first-class roller mjll and
li n the year 1890 -there was nothing in
! vested in such an enterprise, anil as to
I question No. 2. there has been no new
enterprises commenced within the town
this year. 3rd. There lias been spent
1 for building and repairs in the town in
1 the year 1899 about SO,OOO. Within the
last throe years, there has been a
splendid school building erected, and a
first class school started, which is still
doing splendid work in the line of edu
cation. 5. The manufacturing and
business outlook for the year I'.mmi is
hopeful, and bids fair to be better than
it was in the year 1899.
Very truly.
C. B. M ARSH BURN, Mayor.
ELON COLLEGE.
Has Grown From a Depot in 1890 to a
Thriving Town.
Klon College. X. C.. Dec. 2*.'. 1899.
To the Editor: Elen College is an edu
cational town. Tlie College is ’lie prop
erty of the Christian Church, South.
In 1890 there was only a small doped,
owned by individuals and a company
store. The amount of property did .not
exceed live hundred ($500.09) dollars.
' There are now two three-story brick
buildings for college purposes, xvorth
: SBO,OOO, a faculty of ten members, uver-
I age attendance, 111 per annum; 32 nice
! residences, 2 stores.
I Two papers are published here —The
: Christian Sun, organ of the Christian
Church, Souih, and El on (Nil lege Week
ly. two blacksmith and wood shops, six
daily passenger trains, four daily ma:k-.
Telegraph and telephone lines connect
l us with tlie business centres. It is also
' the shipping point for Altamaha ami
Osipie Cotton Mills.
The amount of shipping done in 1890
I was about SI,OOO per month. lii tlii
, month to date it amounts to more than
, $4,000.
j The Southern Railway has one of the
j nicest and most convenient depots that
'there is between Greensboro and Raleigh.
C. 11. ROWLAND,
Mayor.
ROCKY MOUNT.
Growth of Its Cotton, Wood and Ice
Factories, Tobacco Market.
Rocky Mount. N. C., Dec. 27, 1899.
To the Editor: Rocky Mo unit, though
the spot has borne that name since the
Wilmington ai d Weldon Railroad xvas
built, yet it only began its immense im
petus which has brought it to its high
state of progres.fi vi ness and marked it
as one of the leading towns in North
Carolina in the last fifteen years.
Fifteen years ago tlie population of the
town scarcely exceeded 500 inhabitants
with its tributaries. The town now
boasts at least 4,000 souls. Its growth
is monthly. Next to Greensboro it has
more railroad advantages than any town
in the State.
Lying equi-distant from Goldsboro
and Weldon, about 40 miles from eacli
place', surrounded by it fertile country
with farms in a high state of cultiva
tion, the center of the golden leaf tie
baeco district and with as productive
cotton fields as there are in the State,
the future of the town is well assured.
It is on tlie Atlantic Coast Line Rail
road xvith daily trains to Plymouth,
Washington, Springhope and Nash vibe
withiu four hours’ travel of Richmond
anti Norfolk. It lies in the counties of
Edgecombe and Nash.
The first tobacco market in Eastern
North Carolina xvas established at this
town for the sale of the loose leaf. It
met with almost insurmountable diffi
culties at the beginning, for the farmers
xvho had till their lives been raising cot
ton for their monied crop, had to be
persuaded that the culture of tobacco
would redound to their interest, and that
it could Is' produced more successfully
in the country surrounding than in the
original tobacco belt. From that begin
ning it lias plodded steadily along until
with its four warehouses, fifteen facto
ries and strong force of buyers xvell cs
tablisher there is no market in North
Carolina on a stronger basis or one that
gives more satisfaction to the sellers
of the xveed. What is unusual in to
bacco towns the market is so well en
trenched in the estimation of the public
that the men xvho conduct it do not
have to resort to boastfulness to main
tain it, but the facts stand out prom
inently for themselves*.
ROOKY MOUNT MILLS.
This is the site of the first cotton mill
built in North Carolina, and it is noxv
one of the largest and most prosperous
mills in the State. When the present
management took charge, it contained
4,000 spindles and now Contains 26,000.
Hie management and the stockholders
are all natix’o North Carolinians, xvhicli
increases the interest of the people in it.
There is no prettier or cleaner factory
village in the South.
As is necessary in all large properties,
improvements are constantly being
made. This fall two large horizontal
turbine wheels have been put in, so
that now the classic Tar River is very
effectively harnessed up. Arrangements
have been made to supply the whole
property xvith the new Rocky Mount
xvmter system, which xxill furnish be
yond question the purest xvater in North
Carolina. This xvill lie done without ex
pense to the ■operatives and shows lioxv
thoroughly their interests are earial for
by the x'ery progressive management. A
public school is maintained on the
grounds all the year, taught by a first
class lady teacher and is accomplishing
great good. The moral tone of the
community is of fin* very best, and it is
hard to find a better or healthier popu
lation.
Among the leading industries of
Rocky Mount the manufacture and sale
of ice is fast accupying a prominent,
position. The Southern Ice Company
and the Rocky Mount Ice Company are
both strong concerns, well intrenched in
the popular mind as having ample means
I'm* the development of their business,
and executive ability of the highest
kind in their management. The South
ern Ice Company is now preparing to
install the machinery to manufacture
50 tons per day, making the total out
put in both about 80 tons per day.
The Rocky Mount Ice Company has
under way a storage w arehouse of 2,00 P
tubs capacity.
The Tar River Lumber Company,
dealers in rough and dressed lumber, is
another concern that is doing an im
mense (business here, with a future full
of bright promise. Lumber is shipped
by them to all parts of the country. A
hnnd-saxv xvith a cutting capacity of 40,
000 feet is being put in. The tram road
to Littleton, in Halifax county, wilt
place xvithin: the reach of this mill the
large pine forests almost as yet untouch
ed by the wood man’s axe.
The great quantity of building always
going on here has produced another in
dustry, the Simmons Sash. Door and
Blind Factory, located in easy reach </f
the railroad. While yol in its infamy
the business done has far exceeded the
expectations of its owner, Mr. C. W.
Shin nous.
The amount of business done in this
town is best summarized by referring
to that of. tlie railroads centering here.
Their payroll for employees here
amounts to $20,000 per month: 005
solid car loads of freight xvere handled
here in the last month, to say nothing
of the immense quantity in mixed cars.
Their business lias been such as to til
sure as one of the things of the future
the connection xvith Raleigh, x*ia Spring
hope. A humanitarian feature of the
railroad xvork at South Rocky Mount
is their hospital. This institution is
thoroughly equipped and will be placed
in charge of Drs. W. 11. ami J. I’.
Whiti head.
These are some only of the enterprises,
mostly in their youth, but of liardy ami
vigorous growth, on xvliicli the town con
fidently relies for success and prosperi
ty in the coming years.
T. T. THORNE. Mayor.
CHAPEL HILL.
New Hotel, Bank, Cotton Mill and Iron
Mine Work in Progress.
Chapel Hill, X. C., Dec. 28.
To the Editor: For over one hundred
years Chapel Dill existed as a •depend
ent upon the University. Five or six
years ago the spirit of progress struck
our people, and, though not now on a
boom by any means, the plan has been
steadily growing until its population of
a fexv hundred has reached two thou
sand or more. Many liexx' and beau
tiful homes have been erected, others on
the xvay and many are contemplated
anil kept hack by the scarcity of build
ing material. Among tlie many and
valuable additions in the way of new
buildings and enterprises is the Chapel
Ilill hotel, an ornament so the town; a
block of brick buildings by Dr. A. A.
Khittz; two large framed store houses,
modern fronts, by J. I>. Webb and 11.
11. Patterson; a bank building, a large
sixteen-room building by Prof. J. W.
Canada, lor a high school; a two-story
cotton mill 75x235, by Thomas F. Lloyd,
with 4,000 spindles already in operation,
and xvliou fully equipped there xvill be
18.000; a shuttle block factory, by
Messrs. Rosemond & Reed, doing a
thriving business; a brick plant by
Messrs. Pearson '& Ashe; a stave-mak
ing industry by Mr. Tlieo. Tinmiu; a
dairy farm by Prof. 11. H. Williams,
xvith the largest herd of registered cattle
in the State.
We have twenty-one stores, three grist
mills, four cotton gins, electric lights and
soon xxill have water xvorks.
The Chapel Hill Iron M ne has been
opined and supplied xvith the most im
proved machinery, employing fifty hands
and working day and night and on the
lands of John T. Weaver, near the
iron mine, is found gold, iron and a
deposit of fine ochre. A few miles from
toxxn is the Snipes Gold M.ne xxitli
stamp-mills and nil the modern mining
machinery, and experts pronounce the
ore the richest yet found in tie State.
There is soon to lie erected a largj
roller mill and a prosperous future awaits
furniture factories and manufactories of
hardwood specialties. The large supply
of hardwood timber, tlie splendid facili
ties for low cost of manufacture and
transportation to the liost markets, es
pecially when this section is penetrated
by the Durham and 'Charlotte Railroad,
add force to the argument that this is
the favored region for this industry.
The beautiful and healthful locality,
cheap and good lands, high prices for
farm products and cheap farm labor are
potent reasons xvhy this is a section of
promise to the new home-seeker.
In the University the improvement the
past year has been the greatest since it
xvas established and the enrollment the
largest. Besides the two handsome
buildings 'being erected, the Alumni Ilall
and the Carr Building, there has been
improvements in the other buildings and
the grounds. No place in the United
States is more noted for the extent and
character of its institutions of learning,
both collegiate and preparatory, and the
beauty and Jiealthfulnoss of its location.
Chapel Ilill is a town noted for the
high tone of its society.
IV. 11. THOMPSON.
Editor News.
SHELBY.
The Year Brought a SIOO,OOO Cotton
Mill, 14 Miles of Railroad.
Shelby, N. C., Dec. 27, 1899.
To the Editor: The closing year of
1899 has marked the beginning of a nexv
era in the industrial progress of this
beautiful little city, always enterprising
and active. Shelby, the gem city ol’
the fertile and populous county of
Cleveland, has long been, noted for her
ideal location, her splendidly planned
streets, xxfide and shady; for her spark
ling, health-giving mineral xvator lloxv
ing from spring and fountain: for her
largo court square in the centre of tlie
toxxn—-one of nature's richest creations —
a veritable park; for her exceptionally
fine mountain) views, and her pure, balmy
air and her gorgeous mountain sunsets
and all of these have combined to at
tract xisitors from far and near all the
year round.
During tlie past year, however, Shelby
has taken on new life industrially, and
the volume of business lias been ma
terially increased. This year has xvituess
ed the erection of a SIOO,OOO cotton mill
■in the town, the building of a wholesale
warehouse, the construction of fourteen
miles of railroad from Shelby to Cleve
land Cotton Mills at Lawndale, the com
pletion of many nice new residences and
the beginning of many more, the estab
lishing of a large rock-crushing moun
zite plow—the only one of its kind in
the xvorbl —and the mining of monazite
and mica in various parts of the county
•surrounding here, besides the building of
cotton warehouses and many other minor
improvements. There are no vacant
houses or store rooms ini the toxxui ami
the merchants have had a good trade.
The 'Shelby Cotton Mills have given, the
contract for building thirty new four
and six-room cottages for operatives
and work has begun ou these. The
lumber mills throughout the county
have 'been taxed to their utmost capacity
to meet the demand for building mate
rial, xvliicli is all the time increasing.
The county lias an unlimited supply of
the finest timber and it as being freely