USA > Mississippi > Newton County > History of Newton County, Mississippi from 1834 to 1894 > Part 15
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
January, 1875, the County Grange convened, and the following officers were elected: M. W. Stamper, Worthy Master ; S. B. Gilbert, Overseer ; Dr. J. S. Par- ker, Lecturer ; H. C. McMullen, Steward; Sim Perry,
1
.
;: 3
1099
1
212
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
Assistant Steward ; Wm. Graham, Chaplain ; E. Carle- ton, Secretary ; T. J. McMullen, G. K .; Mrs. S. C. Allen, Ceres ; Mrs. McMullen, Pomona ; Mrs. M. E. Hardy, Flora ; Mrs. C. C. Stamper, L. A. S.
The County Grange elected as principal officers in the year 1876, S. B. Gilbert, Worthy Master; George Todd, Secretary. In the year 1877, Dr. J. B. Bailey was elected Worthy Master ; S. B. Gilbert, Overseer ; T. J. Reynolds, Secretary. Election of officers for 1878 : Dr. J. B. Bailey, Worthy Master; Thos. Keith, Overseer ; and H. Cooper, Secretary. The year 1882, Dr. J. B. Bailey was elected Worthy Master ; Wm. Price, Over- seer; and Mrs. Joe Bailey, Secretary. Jnc. F. Dear- ing served from 1884 to 1890 as Worthy Master; A. M. Monroe, as Overseer, and W. C. Thornton, Secre- tary for the same time. M. W. Stamper was elected Worthy Master in the year 1890; A. M. Monroe, Over. seer; and J. W. Thrash, Secretary; and these con- tinued in office up to and including the present year of 1894.
It will be seen from the above named officers, ladies and gentlemen, that some of the best citizens of the county have given their time and attention to this order, and many of them, with others whose names are not recorded, have faithfully labored to elevate the order and better the condition of the working classes of the county.
The names of the Granges that have been organized in Newton county, are as follows : Bethel, Pinkney, Mt. Hebron, Centreville, New Ireland, Oakland, Spring Hill, New Hope, Pine, Forest, Evergreen, Spencer, Poplar Springs, Cedar Creek, Tallahatta and Lake- total sixteen.
Newton, in Grange matters as well as fertilizers, has been the leader, and is called the banner county in
..
F
1.
٠٠٤٠
213
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
this order. Her citizens have held responsible and respectable positions in the State Grange. Dr. J. B. Bailey has served on Executive Committee, as Lecturer, Overseer, and Master of the State Grange ; Mrs. Joe Bailey, wife of Dr. Bailey, as Treasurer six years, and as Flora of the National Grange. John. F. Dearing, as one of the Executive Committee, and Lecturer two years ; A. M. Monroe as Steward a long time, and as Secretary of the Darden Monumental Committee. The monument was erected at the A. & M. College in the year 1891, and is a lasting memorial to the memory of the lamented Grand Worthy Master of the State and National Grange-Capt. Put Darden:
THE GOOD RESULTS OF THE GRANGE.
The effect on society and the morals of the county, has been very marked. There are several reasons for this, and prominently among them is the Grange, and the admission of women to the order. The refining influence of woman is ever potent in any circle of society into which she enters. To know that she is expected to be present always incites to a greater de- gree of morality, as it is known that no deviation from this rule will be tolerated where she is expected to appear and participate. It is not only so where the sexes are associated together in the transaction of the business of the order, but her gentle, kind and moral influence prevails, and dominates the same society when met outside the order. The Grange and the female contingent in it has no doubt largely encour- aged the temperance movement and given strength in that direction which has proved of great benefit to · temperance workers.
The educational interest has particularly received substantial benefit from the order. It not only advo-
-
..
,
.1
T
214
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
cates schools in all parts of the country, but is a school within itself ; to educate, not only the young, whose minds are bright and susceptible of good impressions, but it has enabled the old men of the country and the middle aged, who had no early advantages, by associ- ation and by active work, to learn and investigate many things of which they knew nothing before; to read for themselves and become more independent than they were before they became members of the order, It has encouraged education in a way that both men and women have learned to express themselves more freely and fluently and more intelligently, orally and through the press and in general conversation, than before. Its social relations are wonderful. Here in the Grange it is where men and women that differ widely upon politics and religious doctrines may come together and call each other brother and sister, and have a kind and loving feeling, that have been heretofore regarded as having no congeniality. as having no joint interests; they have been stran- gers, though being acquainted; they now feel a close tie that binds, and that is for the good of the whole country. It serves to obliterate all distinctions in society ; to take all who are deserving and educate them up to a higher plane and to better acts and aims in life ; to imitate the qualities of better and more in- telligent men and women, and seek such relations that would add much to their standing in society, that would inspire to greater success in life, making better citizens, better husbands and wives, raising the stand- ard of citizenship in the country.
The general interest and benefit for the farming classes have been great. The mass of farmers, before this organization was introduced, had no idea of any improved methods ; no access to any kind of agricul-
٢٠٠٫٠٦
٢٠
2 1
215
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
tural literature; nothing but what by careless obser. vation (many times) had been handed down from father to son, and often a retrograde movement was made instead of an advance. The ever severe teacher, experience, and the often repeated failures of the far- mer, had not taught him the knowledge so much re- quired for his advancement in this direction.
A system of intelligent farming is now introduced, an interchange of opinion, a personal experience, a trial of various modes of doing the same work, are now canvassed and discussed, and the adoption of one most successful is the result. No man who wishes to learn and is inclined to do anything on his farm, can fail to improve his stock of agri- cultural knowledge if he will attend regularly upon the meetings of this order, and listen to those who, from practical experience, have succeeded, by pursu- ing certain methods known to the most intelligent far- mers of the country. The use of fertilizers in an intel- ligent way claims as its authors the best farmers and Grangers of this country. To take a view of the fig- ures of the relative production of the county for the ten years embraced between the years of 1880 and 1890 will show what an intelligent use of fertilizers will do under Grange farming and improved methods.
The product of cotton in Newton county for the year 1880, was : bales of cotton 6541, bushels of corn 261,207, estimated value of products sold and on hand in the county, $634,264. The product of the county for the year 1890 was 13,097 bales of cotton, 392,619 bush- els of corn ; estimated value of products sold and on hand, $919,330. If the crops of 1892 could be shown it would probably run to 15,000 bales of cotton, with a corresponding increase in all other products, and an estimated value of all sold and on hand would run
;;
1
6
0
216
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
largely over a million dollars. This is good proof of the advantages of fertilizers used by the farmers, most of whom belong to the Grange, and who have- had the advantages of close intercourse with the best informed lecturers on these subjects, and small ex- perimental stations at the grounds of the Patrons' Union, and the advantages of our A. and M. College, which yearly send a deputation of its faculty to talk to and inform our people upon the best methods of farming and applying fertilizers. Various speak- ers have honored the County Grange. Distinguished men from other States have come to our county to enlighten our people, of which more will be said in another place, all of which has been at the instance of the Granges of Newton county.
The State Grange met in December, 1889, in the Col- lege Hall, in the town of Newton, and was presided over by Dr. J. B. Bailey, Master of the State Grange. This meeting was one of interest to the order, and had some distinguished visitors as attendants. Judge H. F. Simrall reprepresented his section of the State, and S. L. Wilson, State Lecturer, from Chickasaw county, and afterwards Master of the State Grange, was pres- ent. Quite a number of delegates from various por- tions of the State were present. It was the first meet- ing of this body after the death of Captain Put. Dar- den, Master of the State and National Grange, and the chair and stand were appropriately draped in mourning. Upon this occasion the writer was re- quested to make the address of welcome to the assem- blage of delegates at this meeting of the State Grange, and upon being introduced said :
"Ladies and Gentlemen and Delegates of Mississippi Siate Grange :
" It is my pleasant duty to welcome you to our town, and in doing so we are not unmindful of the distin-
--------
07
:
-
٢٠.
217
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
guished honor you have conferred upon us in selecting this point as a suitable place for the holding of your deliberations. Especially is this so when so many places in the State making more pretentions than we, and who might bave entertained you better than we. are able, have cordially invited ycu. Yet we hope as you have made this selection to make your stay both pleasant and profitable. I have never had the honor conferred upon me of being a member of your order, my lot in life having been thrown in a different chan- nel. Yet I have observed the progress of your order from its earliest incipiency and have noted with pecu- liar certainty the steps of advancement made by it in the twenty years of its existence in our county. An organization having inscribed upon its banner, Religion, Temperance, Progress and Reform, I can bid Godspeed. Yea, I can do more than that. I feel that I can take each member by the hand, and say, my broth- er or my sister. I have observed the improvements of your order at your homes, around your firesides ; in your social relations and friendly intercourse with your neighbors. I have seen the great improvement made in your farms, more system, order, better price, greater yield, more brought to market and crops more diversified than ever before.
"I have observed that you have taken the lead in education, have done more for your children and society at large. You have admitted your women to your order, which is a step in the right direction. When I come to eulogize or pass any encomiums upon women, I feel inadequate to the task. Suffice it to say, that woman is a prime factor connected with any- thing relating to us, and that her admission into your order is eminently right. She is always willing to lend her aid, which is one of the greatest incentives for
.5.00
2.
218
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
man's accomplishing a higher destiny in life. I ob- serve that you have not only been progressive but ag- gressive. You have looked to the interests of your order, which has benefitted the country at large. You have corrected abuses in legislation and asserted and enforced your rights in State and Federal relations.
"It is a well understood fact that no State is ever fully developed unless its lands are owned and tilled by the persons who live upon them, if engaged in agri- cultural pursuits. It is not my purpose to give you a dissertation upon agriculture, or dictate a course of farming, yet it is well understood that it is not the greatest number of acres under cultivation that always pays the best, but small areas well cultivated bring the best results to a country. I would like to impress upon you that I consider it your highest duty and one of the surest to success, that you cultivate the friend- liest relations with all classes not engaged in agricul- ture. It is a great tribute to the producing class to say that they feed and clothe the world; and the greater the number who are dependent upon them for support, the greater will be the demand for their pro- ducts, and consequent enhancement of value. Antag- onize no interest. The professional men must exist, the citizen, the mechanic, the merchant, the architect, the sculptor, the painter, the manufacturer and the railroader. In fact every trade must live from your labor. Encourage large urban population and the increase of consumers if you wish the farm to thrive.
.
"In all the great events of life, whenever there is a - necessity for a great man to carry out a certain great. purpose, he has been found. In the dark days of the inquisition, when men's consciences were called in question; when not only their political, social and re- ligious rights were proscribed; their social standing
.い
..
AT
:
219
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
ostracized, their property confiscated, but their lives were taken in the most tortuous methods-in those days there arose a man that not only defied the Feder- ative Diet at Worms, but defied the world and pro. claimed a freedom of thought and a liberty of con. science that has spread itself to all the enlightened nations and of which we are to-day the favored bene- ficiaries.
"There was a time when our forefathers considered they were oppressed, when the mother country im- posed upon the colonies. There was a time when brave men dared to oppose these wrongs, and formed a declaration of principles, declaring all men free and equal ; in support of which they pledged themselves in solid compact to support it with 'their lives, their property and their sacred honor.' In this dark hour there was a man found who was willing and able to take control of the military forces, which he led to glorious victory, establishing a country "without a model and without a shadow ;" a country from which the whole world is expected to be christianized, and of which we to day are the prosperous people and fa- vored recipients. When it became necessary that one . man should rule the whole of Europe, Napoleon Bona- parte was found equal and willing to undertake the task. And as an example of his courage and military genius, when at the bridge at Lodi men who were vet- erans, who had made many a charge and who had ac- complished many a daring feat, were commanded to cross the bridge. In vain did they essay to do it, and at last returned and said : "Sire, it is impossible." The laconic but characteristic reply was: "Follow your general." The bridge was crossed, the Austrians were conquered, and the world knows the result.
"For centuries the farming classes have considered
.. :名
٢
-
:
220
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
themselves oppressed. For ages have they been the dupes of monopolies, living in a country whose taxes they have paid without representation ; whose laws " they obey and have no hand in making ; who bear the heat and the burden of the day, and only get the wages of those who come in at the eleventh hour ; who feed and clothe the world without being able to name the price of their production, or raise their wages. Will it be saying too much to assert that this and kindred organizations will be the agents to remedy all these things ? That if they progress at the ratio that they have in the last twenty years, that wonders will be performed ? Legislation will be changed ; laws that govern commerce will be altered; much of the systems of finance and even political economy will be so amended as to fit themselves to the great wants of the masses, and not have dictated the unjust and unequal terms which are now foisted upon them. If this or- ganization should bring this order out of chaos; if it should prove the great remedial agent for the distribu tion of justice and equality ; if its working should reach a higher plane in the administration of the laws of the land, in giving to each the benefits to be de- rived from a prosperous and well-governed country, favor and uphold justice, strike down monopolies, an- archists and communism, with all their kindred evils, it would be a 'consummation most devoutly to be wished.' This order has the probability of a great future, if it can accomplish its end. In union there is strength ; in co-operation there is success. Well or- ganized numbers will insure you achievements. Then come from the hill-tops and the vales; come from the mountains and the plains. Let no sectional or politi- cal prejudice hinder your success.
"Come as the leaves come when the forest is rended ; Come as the waves come when navies are stranded ; Come as the autumnal leaves fall in the vale of Valambrosia ;"
.it
221
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
and with a united purpose and trust in God the victory will be yours.
In the progress of these great events, a thorough union of all the planting classes will give them con- trol of the government and the making of the laws, and the responsibility of governing the country. Under these circumstances the hand of justice and wisdom, tempered with mercy and an honest administration and enforcement of the laws, it would make our country the admiration and wonder of the world.
" What means these weeds of mourning that I see before me-this empty chair and other indications of grief ? The mute response of every member of your order is that our leader is gone-our chief is not here. No more will we see his genial smile ; no more will we hear his cheerful voice or listen to his words of wise counsel ; no more will we feel the warm grasp of his hand, for all that is mortal of Capt. Darden is depos- ited in the grave.
"The next pertinent enquiry is, who will take his place ? Who will be our leader? Who will be our chief ? Grief-stricken hearts at this moment of great calamity will say his place cannot be filled.
" The preachers, when they write of the death of one of their fallen brethren, engaged in the work of the Lord, sometimes say that 'God destroys his best work- man and carries on his work.' Why not this apply to your departed chief ? His place will be filled. Those of you who were engaged in the last war, and that understand military tactics, will remember that when a brigade or regiment was ordered to charge a given point-when the command is given the troops go for- ward, and, coming near the place to be taken, the mis- siles of death fly thick and; fast ; the grape-shot and cannister cut great swaths out of the advancing columns,
::
222
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
but the order 'close up' comes from the well known voice of the commander, and mechanically and invol- untarily the breach is closed and the 'solid wall of human wood' rush on to victory, carnage and death. Any order having on its banner Progress and Reform,. cannot afford to stop even though it has lost a valued leader.
"When the lamented Gen. Warren, one of the most distinguished military men, fell at Bunker Hill, in the prime of his manhood - yea, in his 'glorious youth' -it would appear that the brightest star in the great cause of freedom was blotted out and all hope of that . day was lost. But the heroic valor of Israel Putnam won the day and crowned the American arms with suc- cess. The grateful remembrance of this great sacrifice Warren and his comrades in arms, caused an imposing monument to be raised to their memory. A superb obelisk of gray granite, whose lofty spire pierces the blue ether which, Mr. Webster said was a 'plain shaft, that there it stood and there it will stand forever.' This monument is a fitting reminder of the great deeds of those heroes. But the remembrance of those great men whose names are inscribed on that marble shaft, were enshrined in the hearts of the people of that, and the present day, and will be in the hearts of their countrymen for ages to come.
"So it is with your departed hero. A monument by his people will be erected ; upon it will be inscribed the name of one whose memory will still linger like a sweet fragrance from a broken vase, to remind you of the sterling qualities of head and heart which he pos- sessed, and the unselfish interest which he manifested for the working classes. We drop a tear with the bereaved and lament the death of one so highly gifted and so much needed; but humbly bow to God's will,
Ja die Yan
i:
od ine elgong aid
223
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY."
and devoutly pray that his successor may be worthy of the position, and able to accept the responsibility that devolves upon him. Again I welcome and thrice welcome you to our town."
THE ALLIANCE.
The Alliance movement came years after the Grange, and it was very popular for a time, and quite a number of Alliances were organized in Newton county. It was thought that organizations so nearly alike, having for their aims the same ends, should unite in one grand brotherhood. Some overtures from the Alliance were made to the Grange, but no union was ever effected. It appears that the Alliance, from the beginning, had more of a political element in it than the Grange. The people of the country had plenty of political agi- tation outside their orders, and to inaugurate a policy to still further augment this feeling and possibly divide the interest manifested in the Grange, did not appear expedient. The two bodies did not unite and the Alliance has but little following in Newton county as far as organization is concerned. About thirty Alliances were organized, with a total membership of twelve hundred.
10
---
160
CHAPTER XXIV.
PATRONS' UNION-ITS BENEFITS AS AN EDUCATOR- IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIAL, LITERARY AND DOMESTIC RELATIONS.
THE Patrons' Union is situated on the eastern bound- ary of Newton county, two miles north of the town of Lake, and forms one of the principal attractions for entertainment and education in the county. It was organized in the year 1883, and has. held annual ses sions since that time without missing a single one. The idea was conceived by the Grange element of the county and put in operation by them, and has been largely sustained by them and brought to its greatest usefulness by their patronage and energy. It was an experiment at first by a few persons feeling that something of this kind was needed to more closely unite the people and give them a place of resort that they might have a common cause and individual in- terests.
The first year they met under a rude bush arbor, almost in the woods, and formed an organization and elected officers. The first officers were: Dr. J. B. Bailey, president ; A. C. Farmer, vice-president ; J. S. Scott, secretary. The organization included the coun- ties of Newton, Scott, Lauderdale, Neshoba, Jasper, Smith and Leake, and from time to time the adjoining counties and those from distant parts of the State. After the first and second years of meeting, it was seen
-
٠٠٠
.13
· :
20 07
ww.my bro. patio
1.
....
...
--
BENEDICT S/o. (A/
DR. J. B. BAILEY.
.
15
227 .
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
that the organization was a success, and the bush arbor gave place to a very comfortable and commodi- ous pavilion, which, with its various attachments, will comfortably seat one thousand or more persons.
Mr. M. L. Hand, one of the directors, and among the first originators of the Patrons' Union, kindly fur- nishes the following information of the value of the property, number of houses, and other matters of interest :
" We have at the Patrons' Union 90 acres of land outside of the guards (a wire fence); forty acres in cultivation, six in an experimental ground in cotton and grasses, thirty acres inside the wire fence, fifty cottages, some of them two-stories; large three-story hotel, furnished, value $2233 ; pavilion, worth $200; exhibition hall, $150; refreshment stands, $100; the 120 acres of land, worth $1250; a circular speeding track on which to try stock brought for exhibition and prizes, with suitable stalls for their accommoda- tion, all well watered."
Mr. Hand claims that this part of the State needs a normal school to train teachers, and that the Patrons' Union offers a suitable place for their accommodation, and hopes our worthy State Superintendent will aid in this good work. He also claims that the origin of the Patrons' Union was the suggestion of some good old women belonging to the Grange, in the year 1882.
Following this will be found valuable information, very kindly furnished by Dr. J. B. Bailey, the present presiding officer, and one who has presided over every meeting since its organization. He says :
" The Patrons' Union was organized in 1883, under the auspices of the Granges of Newton, Scott, Lauder- dale, Neshoba, Jasper Smith, Leake and adjoining counties. Its objects-the promotion of fraternal
٠
٠
..
se bus
12
228
HISTORY OF NEWTON COUNTY.
unity and educational, agricultural and social advance- ment. It is a delegated body, composed of five mem- bers elected from each subordinate and county Grange. Its officers are elected annually, and consist of presi- dent, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, chaplain and seven directors, each of whom shall be a member of - the Order of the Patrons of Husbandry in good stand- ing. Its first officers were J. B. Bailey, President ; A. C. Farmer, vice-president ; J. S. Scott, secretary. The present officers are ; J. B. Bailey, president ; T. J. Hamilton, vice-president ; Floyd Loper, secretary ; M. J. Chandler, treasurer; Rev. Irvin Miller, chaplain. Directors, M. W. Stamper, C. B. Haddon, G. A. McIl- hany, J. R. Pace, M. L. Hand, T. I. Doolittle and Thos. Faucett.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.