Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 39

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020

USA > Mississippi > Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II > Part 39

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Washington sent an envoy to Spain to seek a settlement of navigation and limits in 1790, and the aid of France was solicited, but the European situation was not favorable. About the close of 1791 Spain gave notice of readiness for negotiation, and in January, 1792, William Carmichael and William Short, charges des affaires at Madrid and Paris, were commissioned, and given elaborate instructions by Thomas Jefferson.

Jefferson's instructions covered the arguments from the Amer- ican point of view. He also asked a commercial treaty. As a last resort of argument he suggested that the turmoil of affairs in Europe must before long present an opportunity for the United States to resume "an occasion for resuming our territory and nav- igation and of carving for ourselves those conveniences on the shores which may facilitate and protect the latter effectually and permanently."

But Spain had lately fortified the Walnut Hills, and showed no signs of yielding. Gardoqui proposed to the commissioners that American vessels unload cargoes on American soil [possibly thinking of Cairo] and Spanish vessels carry the cargoes to New Orleans. He would not dare permit American vessels to enter the mouth of the river, free, for fear England would claim the same privilege. He was afraid of smuggling, and attempts to incite the French to independence. Spain did not need the United States, commercially, he said, but "the United States, having no mines of gold or silver, could not do without Spain."

Before these negotiations, however, could be got into train, the new troubles which had arisen in Europe had produced new com- binations among the powers there. In the meantime the nego- tiations were complicated by the discussion of the restitution of fugitive slave property, the treatment of fugitives from justice, and the Indian relations. Washington declared he had the best reason to believe Spanish agents incited the Indians to hostilities, and the Spaniards coolly retorted with similar charges. As Wash- ington said: "A claim of patronage and protection of these In- dians was asserted; a mediation between them and us by that sovereign assumed; their boundaries with us made a subject of interference; and at length, at the very moment when these sav-

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ages were committing daily inroads upon our frontier, we were informed by them (the Spanish) that 'the continuation of the peace, good harmony and perfect friendship of the two nations, was very problematical for the future, unless the United States should take more convenient measures and a greater energy than those adopted for a long time past.'" This meant that if the United States did not vigorously protect the Creeks and Cherokees from the Georgians and East Tennesseans, Spain might be com- pelled to. Col. Humphreys was sent to Madrid, then, to ascertain if Spain proposed to maintain such an Indian policy, and to insist on "immediate and full enjoyment" of the river navigation, with a free port to New Orleans or near there, and relinquishment of all pretensions above 31°, with the suggestion to Spain that the western people were impatient, and whatever they might do the United States would never abandon them.

Humphreys discovered that Spain was satisfied to stand by its Indian policy, without any yielding. Godoy, favorite of the queen, duke of Alcudia, later entitled "the prince of the peace," was then in charge of foreign affairs, and in December, 1794, he promised to proceed with a treaty "with the utmost dispatch."

Upon a suggestion from Madrid, Thomas Pinckney, minister at London, was sent to take up the negotiations as envoy extraordi- nary. Reaching Madrid about July 1, 1795, he was met with various pretexts for delay, leading up to a proposition of triple alliance, including France. He replied that a recognition of our rights would be the basis of a friendship as valuable as an alliance. He also refused to promise an alliance for the protection of Louis- iana. Godoy was offended and negotiations stopped. Meanwhile the duke made peace with France, giving up part of San Domingo, but refusing the demand for Louisiana. It was also known that Jay had negotiated a treaty with England, which might be a step toward invasion of the Spanish possessions. It seems that Monroe, doing his best at Paris, managed to make it appear that a treaty between France and the United States was probable. France was strengthened by alliance with Prussia. Pinckney threatened to take his departure; Godoy decided to yield, hoping American friendship would protect Louisiana, and in September submitted a form of treaty. Pinckney proposed many changes and insisted on a depot at New Orleans, and a free hand with the Indians within the limits of the United States.

Finally the treaty was agreed upon and signed at San Lorenzo, October 27, 1795. Next day Pinckney was informed that the king had sent orders to the governor of Natchez, who "had advanced to occupy the post of the Barrancas of Margot (Memphis) compre- hended within our ancient limits," to suspend all hostility with any forces from Kentucky that might advance against him. But it was not until three years later that Wayne's veterans of the Maumee campaign went into camp at Davion's rock.

It will throw some light on the situation to recall that in the year this treaty was made the United States was unable to borrow

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money in Holland to free the American citizens held as slaves in Algiers, and Portugal was protecting American shipping from the Mediterranean pirates.

More than once, during this long negotiation, the government considered the proposition of admitting the English of Canada to a port on the upper Mississippi, in consideration of aid against Spain. But the Washington policy of avoiding entangling alli- ances was held to, despite the periods of doubt. Alexander Ham- liton, in 1792, when the war between the Chickasaws and Creeks promised to involve Spain and the United States, proposed to ask England to become an ally of the United States, and prevent war, on the promise of admitting her to some navigable part of the river in the Northwest and giving her joint freedom in naviga- tion. Washington replied to this that "the remedy would be worse than the disease." England, however, was always guaranteed by the United States the free exercise of her rights of navigation under the treaty of 1763, and this was definitely renewed in Jay's treaty with England, in 1794. In the treaty of 1795 with the United States, Spain asserted the right to exclude any nation but the United States, to which she yielded equal rights of navigation and a depot for transfer of goods at New Orleans. Following this, on demand of England, the United States renewed the guarantee to England of her old right under the treaty of 1763, against which Spain protested, made war on England, and blocked the carrying out of the treaty of 1795. (See Louisiana Relations.)

Navina, a postoffice of Kemper county.

Nearby, a postoffice of Neshoba county, on the Pearl river, 7 miles northwest of Philadelphia, the county seat.

Needmore, a postoffice of Tallahatchie county, 10 miles south- west of Charleston, the county seat.

Neels Ferry, a postoffice of Quitman county, situated on the Cold" water river, 9 miles north of Belen, the county seat.

Nesbitt, an incorporated post-town of about 200 people in De Soto county, situated eighteen miles south of Memphis, on the Illi- nois Central railroad, and six miles north of Hernando, the county seat. By reason of its proximity to Memphis, the country about it is especially favorable for the introduction of Dairy farming and the growing of fruits and vegetables for the Memphis market. The soil, however, needs the application of fertilizers in order to render it highly productive. It has an academy, 2 churches and a saw- mill.

Neshoba County is one of the more sparsely settled counties, a little east of the central part of the State. The county has a land surface of 543 square miles. It was formed December 23rd, 1833, from the territory ceded by the Choctaw Nation three years earlier, and a desirable class of emigrants from the older States and the other parts of Mississippi came into the region at an early day. The name "Neshoba" is an Indian word meaning "grey wolf." .The county is in the form of a square, containing sixteen townships, and is bounded on the north by Winston county, on the east by

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Kemper county, on the south by Newton county and on the west by Leake county. It originally embraced the townships numbered 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12, of ranges 10, 11, 12 and 13. February 5, 1836, townships 5, 6, 7 and 8 were taken from it to form the pres- ent county of Newton. (q. v.). Its interests are almost exclusively agricultural. It has one railroad the Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City, which has recently been completed, and now traverses the county from north to south. It is a county of farms and small settlements. The county seat is Philadelphia which is located on a picturesque site, near the center of the county. It is an incor- porated town of 700 inhabitants. A few of the other villages are Dixon, Emmet, Centralia, Trussell, Waneta, Northbend, Neshoba, Cushtusa, McDonald, Burnside and Pilgrim. The county is well watered by the Pearl River and the numerous tributary creeks which form its head streams. It is an undulating and hilly region with level reaches along the river and creek bottoms. The soil varies a good deal in composition ; it is fertile on the bottoms, fairly good on the rolling lands and sandy and light in the hills, with a clay subsoil. The timber growth consists of oaks, pine, hickory, black walnut, beech and cypress. The products are those com- mon to the central parts of Mississippi ; corn, cotton, oats, wheat, peas, sweet and Irish potatoes, sorghum, and a large quantity of fruits and vegetables raised for home consumption. Large beds of green sand marls have been found in the county and there are numerous "reed brakes." Considerable attention of late years has been given to raising live stock and the industry has assumed con- siderable proportions. The value of the live stock in 1900 was con- siderably over $400,000. Since the advent of the new railroad the county has developed rapidly.

The following statistics, taken from the twelfth United States census for 1900, relate to farms, manufactures and population :- Number of farms 2,256, acreage of farms 266,491, acres improved 74,470, value of lands exclusive of buildings $702,680, value of buildings $353,120, value of the live stock $439,445, total value of products not fed $817,228. Number of manufacturing establish- ments 28, capital invested $31,740, wages paid $3,662, cost of mate- rials $10,674, total value of products $27,573. The population in 1900 consisted of whites 9, 874, colored 2,852, a total of 12,726 and an increase of 1,580 over the year 1890. The manufactories in the county have increased fully 50 per cent. since 1900, and real estate values have increased four-fold during the same period. New set- tlers are rapidly coming in and in 1906 the population of the county was estimated at 15,000. The total assessed valuation of real and personal property in Neshoba county in 1905 was $1,355,398 and in 1906 it was $2,767,769, which shows an increase of $1,412,371 during the year.

Nettleton, a thriving station on the St. Louis & San Francisco R. R., located on the southern line of Lee county, about 13 miles south of Tupelo. It was named for a former vice-president of the above railroad. It is an incorporated post-town and has several

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stores, a brick plant, a cotton gin, 2 banks, 4 churches and a fine graded school. The Bank of Nettleton was established in 1904, and is a branch of The Bank of Tupelo. The Peoples Bank & Trust Co. of Tupelo have also a branch bank located here estab- lished in 1904. The population in 1906 was estimated at 600. It is surrounded by a fine farming district.

Nevada, a hamlet in the northwestern part of Hinds county, near the left bank of the Big Black river, about 22 miles northwest of Jackson. Population in 1900, 30.

New, a postoffice of Jasper county.

New Albany, the capital of Union county, is a prosperous incor- porated town, situated on the Tallahatchie river, 34 miles southeast of Holly Springs, and 79 miles from Memphis. It is at the junction of the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham, and the Mobile, Jack- son & Kansas City Railroads, which provide it with excellent ship- ping facilities in every direction. It is in a good agricultural section and there is an abundance of fine timber in the surrounding region, while the Tallahatchie river affords it ample water power for mills and factories. It is the market town for a large section of the sur- rounding country, and its shipping and manufacturing interests are developing at a rapid rate. Among the manufacturing enterprises now in the town, are the New Albany Clothing Mf'g. Co., a cotton compress, a planing mill, iron works, a cotton-seed oil mill. pressed brick and tile works, a soft mud brick plant-capacity 32,000 bricks a day, an ice and cold storage plant, the New Albany Furniture Mfg. Co., three saw mills, two Munger System gins, an ax-handle factory, also a spade, shovel and hoe-handle factory, a box factory, an electric light and water plant owned and operated by the town, and tombstone and marble works. There are two wholesale gro- cery houses, three hotels, and one livery barn. It has express, telegraph and banking facilities, good schools and several churches. The Bank of New Albany was established in 1896, present capital $60,000; the Merchants & Farmers Bank was established in 1903, present capital $75,000; The Citizens Bank and Trust Co. was established in 1905, capital $65,000. The Gazette, a Democratic daily newspaper, was established in 1890; The Vidette, a Demo- cratic weekly, was established in 1904.

The population of New Albany doubled in the decade, 1890-1900, and continues to increase at a rapid rate; in 1900 it was 1,033; in 1906 it was estimated at 3,000. The following fraternities have lodges here viz :- Masons, including Blue Lodge, Chapter and Council; Odd Fellows : Knights of Pythias; Knights of Honor and Woodmen of the world. The M. J. & K. C. R. R. shops are located here; also a large canning factory. The total capital invested in manufacturing here in 1906 amounted to $525,000 which is $435,- 224 more than the total capital invested in the whole county in 1900.

New Augusta, county seat of Perry county, two miles south of Augusta, the old county seat. It is the railroad station for Au- gusta, on the Mobile, Jackson & Kansas City R. R. It has two

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large saw mills, a cotton gin and grist mill combined and a tur- pentine distillery, a bank and a population in 1906 of about 250.

Newbell, or Newmans Station, a hamlet of Warren county, on the Alabama & Vicksburg, R. R., 8 miles east of Vicksburg. The postoffice here was discontinued in 1905, and mail now goes to Bovina.

Newhebron, an incorporated post-town in the northern part of Lawrence county, on the Columbia branch of the Gulf & Ship Island R. R., one and a half miles west of old Hebron. It has several stores, and a bank. The Bank of Hebron was established here in 1904. In the vicinity are several saw mills, and the town is growing rapidly. The population in 1906 was estimated at 500.

Newit, a postoffice of Lawrence county, 7 miles southwest of Monticello, the county seat, on Halls creek. Booneville, one mile south, is the nearest railroad station.

Newman, a post-hamlet in the western part of Hinds county, situated on the Big Black river, 18 miles west of Raymond, the county seat. Population in 1900, 67.

New Orleans Exposition, 1885. Major S. A. Jonas was ap- pointed commissioner of the World's Industrial and Cotton expo- sition, for the State by the president of the United States, upon the nomination of Governor Lowry, and an Exposition board was appointed under a State law, which made an appropriation. Ram- sey Wharton was acting commissioner in charge of exhibits. Dr. H. E. Mckay was chief of the State department. The expenditure was about $14,000. Of the exhibit, Governor Lowry said: "The people from other States were not more surprised at the extent of Mississippi's exhibit than were her own citizens. The peoples of the world assembled in the gigantic structures composed of pine and cypress drawn from the forests of Mississippi. Her corn was not excelled by any made in the United States; oats, wheat, barley, rice, were most creditable; the hay exhibit compared favor- ably with Kentucky and Missouri. The wine exhibit demonstrated that Mississippi was almost equal to the valley of the Rhine for pure sparkling wine. Honey, sugar, molasses, fish, fruit, vegetables and dairy products of superior quality were found; cotton, wool and tobacco were conspicuous for quantity and quality." The timber exhibit, particularly that part showing the wealth of the State in hard woods, was astonishing, and doubtless led to heavy investments in the State. The same might be said of the hay and clover exhibit. A similar exhibit was made at the North, South and Central American exposition at New Orleans in the following year.

The wine exhibit included three or four hundred bottles, rep- resenting twenty counties and thirty-one vineyards, and the scup- pernong, muscadine, catawba, concord, and other varieties of grapes. It was revealed that Winston county had 400 or 500 acres in vineyards. Twenty-eight counties were represented in the wool exhibit. It was also revealed that tobacco culture had not been abandoned altogether for cotton, and that the product would grade

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well in any market. The fruit exhibit was the most extensive of its class at the exhibition. Among the premiums taken in this class was the great sweepstakes prize and gold medal for the best collection from any State or country. A peach weighing 161/2 ounces was shown. J. H. Odeneal, of Hinds county, won the sweepstakes premium for the best fifty pounds of butter from the Southern and Southwestern States.

The Woman's Work exhibit was regarded as the best ever made at a great exposition. The commissioner acknowledged great in- debtedness to Mrs. Kate S. Minor, of Natchez, in this department.

In 1885 a Colored State fair was held at Jackson, and the ex- hibits, to which Tougaloo university made a creditable contribu- tion, were sent to the exposition.

Newport, a post-hamlet in the southwestern part of Attala coun- ty, about 15 miles southwest of Kosciusko, the county seat, and nearest banking, telegraph and express town. Population in 1900, 70.

New Prospect, a postoffice of Choctaw county. Population in 1900, 18.

New Site, a postoffice of Prentiss county, 12 miles southeast of Booneville, the county seat. Population in 1900, 21.

Newspapers. Upon his arrival at Natchez in the summer of 1798, Governor Sargent wrote to the Secretary of State: "We have no printing offices in this country, we are remote from all others, and under such circumstances I shall find it impracticable to diffuse a knowledge of the laws and other useful matter without the aid of government. A small traveling press, sufficient for half a sheet of post paper, which would give four pages, would be a blessing to the people of the territory, and I would myself contrive to manage it if we may through your goodness be indulged."- (Sargent's Journal.) The settlement was twenty-five years old, at least, but had been under Spanish control nearly twenty years. Only one printing press was allowed at New Orleans and that was made use of by the government only. No bills were allowed to be posted in that city without official permit .- (Bailey's Journal, 1797.)

Andrew Marschalk, an officer of the United States army, was the first printer. (See Marschalk and Sargent Adm.) It is told that Marschalk brought a small press with him in 1797, and printed a song, as his first work, at Vicksburg; that he used the press at Natchez in printing the territorial laws, and afterward sold it to B. M. Stokes, who commenced printing on a foolscap sheet the first newspaper in Mississippi. This paper was the Mississippi Gazette, and it was started at Natchez in 1799. Gov. Sargent wrote to the Secretary of State February 10, 1800: "I take leave to send you the Mississippi Gazette, and shall so continue to do."

In February, 1802, from Governor Claiborne's letters, it appears there was only one printer in the territory, and he a novice, work- ing for high wages in printing the acts of the general assembly. For the "want of types and a good press" the work was expected

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to occupy several months. James Ferrall was the name of this public printer. He was specially exhorted by the governor to "all possible dispatch."

The Mississippi Gazette was a success, but a paper started soon after by Robert Green was short-lived. Marschalk again entered the field, and with largely increased facilities, began the publica- tion in 1802 or 1803 at Natchez of the Mississippi Herald. The Halcyon, Messenger and other papers were soon after started, but not long continued.

The Natchez Chronicle was established July 6, 1808, by John A. Winn, a man of education and business energy. In this year there were four papers in the State, all at Natchez. A year later another paper was started at Natchez by Peter Isler, and The Natchez soon after appeared at the same place. The Ariel was established about 1825; P. F. Merrick, owner, and James K. Cook editor. It was a creditable literary publication. Papers were also established in towns in the adjacent counties. The Woodville Republican, which still exists, was started about 1812. From the early Natchez papers one may obtain the details of the Napoleonic wars and pol- itics, and very little local news. Gradually they became champions of one or the other political parties in the United States, and de- fended or attacked ferociously the local champions of party. Par- tisanship has never been more fierce and intolerant than it was in the Territorial days.

The Natchez, which was published by James H. Cook, became a power in the politics of the State, both as an opponent of An- drew Jackson, and representative in this State of the Whig party. The Statesman, published by Marshall, appeared as the exponent of the Jackson party. It was edited by distinguished and able men, among them Col. J. F. H. Claiborne and Robert J. Walker.

Richard C. Langdon, of the Mississippi Republican, was elected public printer, over Marschalk and Isler, in January, 1820, but he was called before the House early in February on motion of Mr. Runnells to answer for a charge of contempt in publishing "two pieces highly defamatory on the members thereof, and calculated to disturb the coolness and deliberation of this body." Langdon was defended in the House by Joseph E. Davis, but his dismissal from office was voted, 17 to 10.

In 1822 Langdon, in connection with Francis Baker, started the Mississippian at Natchez. The Southern Galaxy was established May 22, 1828 by Wm. C. Grissam & Co.

Between 1820 and 1830 a number of papers were started in the interior counties, which region was rapidly settled by intelligent and wealthy people from the older States, especially from Vir- ginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee. These papers were, without exception, political papers. They were in- tensely partisan, either Whig or Democratic.

The Mississippi Free Trader, edited at different times by Clai- borne, Forbes and other able men, was the leading Democratic paper. It was started August 4, 1835, with L. A. Besançon as ed-

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itor. Besançon was one of the most noted newspaper men of his day. He was editor of the Natchez Free Trader in 1838, and was the publisher of an Annual Register. The Courier and Journal published at the same place was the leading Whig paper. In 1837 this paper was published weekly, tri-weekly and daily. Both of these papers were powers in politics until about 1860. Among the bright, influential and forcible editors in Mississippi at the period of the early conflicts between the Whigs and Democrats were: Black, Melen, Van Winkle, Baldwin, Risk, Duffield, Prewett and Hillyer.

The Republican, the Advocate, the Mississippian, the Sentinel, the Register and the Sun, with such editors as Fall, Hagan, Green, Jenkins, Jones, Roy, Wood and McCallum, were the Vicksburg papers of this period that led the Jackson or Democratic forces.

There were a number of able Whig papers published at Vicks- burg at different times. The most influential of these was the Whig. It was founded by Shannon and Henderson, and was from 1840 to 1860 a daily paper. Among the able men who edited it at different times were Griffin, Tyler, McCardle, Hammet, A. H. Arthur, R. Arthur, Carnes, Brooks and Partridge. These names are among the most brilliant of the Southwest at that time, and the influence of the paper was very great. The Sentinel and Expositor was started at Vicksburg December 27, 1836.

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Encyclopedia of Mississippi History Comprising Sketches of Counties, Towns, Events, Institutions and Persons, Vol. II, Part 39

Author: Dunbar Rowland Publication date: 1907 Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant Number of Pages: 1020

Author: Dunbar Rowland
Publication date: 1907
Publisher: Madison, Wis. : S.A. Brant
Number of Pages: 1020