UNION COUNTY, NC - BOOKS - Sketches of Monroe and Union County, 1902 pt. 1 ======================================================================= USGenWeb Archives Notice: This document has been contributed to the USGenWeb Archives so that it can be shared with others. It remains the property of the contributor, but permanent publication rights have been given to the USGenWeb Archives, who will insure that this information will remain freely available to the public. No person or organization outside of the USGenWeb may use this document without the expressed written consent of the contributor. The document may be used by any activity or project within the USGenWeb so long as it contains the following statement: "Contributed to the USGenWeb Archives by: Valerie Crook vfcrook@trellis.net" ======================================================================= SKETCHES OF MONROE AND UNION COUNTY TOGETHER WITH GENERAL AND INDIVIDUAL CHARACTERISTICS OF THEIR PEOPLE AND A DESCRIPTION OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES AND BUSINESS ENTERPRISES BY STACK & BEASLEY Monroe, N. C., July, 1902 NEWS AND TIMES PRINT CHARLOTTE, N.C., 1902 PREFACE. The object of this publication is to tell, in a modest way, some of the many interesting truths about one of the best counties in the State, and to more fully illustrate the things said a good deal of personal matter is put in. We think the whole will be found interesting from cover to cover. The fine natural advantages of the county, the sturdy and upright character of the people and its rapid progress along all lines of development make it un- mistakably one of the best counties in the Old North State. The progressive spirit of Monroe is marked; for population, it has the finest churches, schools, and public institutions to be found anywhere, and the pure artesian water with which the town is supplied is incomparably healthful. A careful perusal of these pages will repay the reader. UNION COUNTY. Union county, of which Monroe is the capital, is what may be called a county of middle age in North Carolina, being more than half a century old as a distinct political organization. It contains 640 square miles, lies on the lower border of what is, known as the Piedmont region, and is bounded on two sides by the State of South Carolina. Its population by the last census was 27,156. The county has most of the many advantages so generously given the State of which it is a part, some of which it may be well to enumerate at some length. The county tax rate is 19 1-3 cents; special 39 1-3 and $1.18 on poll. There is practically no debt. POPULATION. The people are natives. While here and there may be found persons from other sections of the country, nowhere do foreigners abound. Indeed, a foreigner of any nationality is a great rarity. The white people are exceedingly thrifty and intelligent. We believe the average of intelligence is equal to that of any county in the State. Law-breaking by the white people is rare, and there has never been but one manifestation of mob violence in the long history of the county. That was for the nameless crime, some twenty years ago. Modest, unassuming people, we have; intelligent, brave, moral. In justice to the colored popu- lation a word should be spoken in their behalf. They are law- abiding as a race, and industrious. Certainly there is a great deal of petty crime committed among them, but there is a conspicuous absence of the graver offences. And while there are many shiftless ones about the towns, there are many faithful workers in both towns and country. OCCUPATION. The principal occupation of the people is agriculture. Stock raising, principally for home consumption; mining, lumbering, and wood chopping also receive attention. The towns and vil- lages of the county are of course turning their attention to manufacturing. Within the county there are two cotton mills, a cotton seed oil mill, several roller flour mills and a number of wood working plants and small canning plants. THE PROGRESSIVE SPIRIT. The Old North State is now a fairy land where the changes being wrought in the development and energizing of her advan- tages are as magical as some of the deeds fancifully attributed to the work of the fairy's wand. And in this wonderful progress the county of Union is fast forging to the front. The spirit of progress, of "noble restlessness" is upon her people. Everywhere is this manifest. In the splendid improvement of her roads. and in her educational work does this show with marked effect. But it is no less manifest in the broadening habits of thought, the lifting of ideals, the quiet but ever onward struggle for better things in both the material and moral worlds. The average of comfortable living is perhaps as high in this county as over any other section of similar size in the United States. With the painting of a church and the enlargement of a school house go the improvement in farm machinery and farming methods. At only one point in the county can whiskey be sold, and nowhere in the county is there a distillery. Put by the side of these facts the remark of a gentleman who has traveled extensively in almost every State in the Union—"I have," said he, "been all over the blue grass region of Kentucky and I can say that the live stock used by the people of Union county is better on the average than that found in similar use in that famous section"—and we have an idea of the hand to hand progress that the moral and material forces of Union county are making. There is an almost ideal blending of the conservative and the progressive ideas. The two meet in a fine composite—a guarantee that every stop made in the onward progress is a real one and shall not be lost. SOIL AND CLIMATE. Prosperity may be built upon different interests, but there are only two things, and they taken together, which guarantee beyond peradventure a lasting prosperity. These two are favor- able soil and climate. Towns are often made rich by the manu- facture of a single article—but the market may decline and the whole costly fabric of a profitable industry be rendered valueless. But an agricultural section with a soil easily adapted to an indefinite variety of crops, a climate alike suitable, with an equable rainfall, there is no possibility that the population will not always be happy and prosperous. Union county is free from excess of heat or cold. Spring and fall are ideal; in the summer the days are warm hut the nights pleasant. Winter brings no excessive cold, but there is enough to be bracing. On an average there are about two good snowfalls a year, scarcely ever over six or eight inches in depth. Rainfall is well distrib- uted so that every section of the county is well watered. The northwestern border of the county lies on the Rocky river, while the Catawba flows near its eastern border. Into these two courses flow numerous large and smal] creeks, traversing every section of the county, and furnishing many acres of "bottom land," upon which corn grows so vigorously. Much of the soil is naturally very fertile, all of it may be made so. The whole county is remarkable for its healthfulness. CROPS. The principal crops are corn and cotton and wheat and oats, supplemented by rye, clover, grasses, molasses, and a great variety of fruits and vegetables. Much fruit and vegetables are canned and preserved in different ways. As a rule the people make their own supplies. The county is well stocked with improved breeds of cattle and every family that cares to may have abun- dance of the richest, milk and butter at a trifling cost. Cattle may obtain good grazing for eight months in the year. Poultry can be raised at a nominal cost and the market is always good. The great number of poultry and eggs shipped always keep the local market well up. FARM, MINERAL AND TIMBER LANDS. Union county is rich in farm, mineral and timber lands. The soil has already been referred to; good farm lands can be bought for $5 to $20 per acre, and can be secured by renters at a very moderate cost. Almost anything known to the temperate zone of North America can be grown. Timber lands abound. The cutting of timber and wood is quite an industry. It is no unusual thing for a person to buy timber land, clear it, and secure enough profit from the sale of wood and timber to pay for the full purchase. Nineteen of the twenty-two species of oak found in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains grow in North Carolina and of these Union county has her share; also of pine, hickory, persimmon, walnut, elm, poplar, cedar, maple, dogwood, sycamore, cherry, ash. The county has unques- tioned wealth in her gold mines. Her mines have been worked since the beginning. There are a number of old mines whose richness have been demonstrated, waiting to be taken hold of by capital and experience. Before the war Commodore Stockton and others worked mines in the county on a large scale. Mr. J. C. Bates, an expert and wealthy miner, has operated mines here for twenty-five years. There are many shafts, no doubt leading to rich fields, that have been abandoned by their owners only because of lack of capital. Rich surface gold is often found, many times farmers pick up pure nuggets in the branches or on the hillsides. EDUCATION AND THE SPREAD OF INTELLIGENCE. The rapid advancement of the cause of education in the county for the past twelve or fifteen years has been marvelous. The educational revival in this county is far ahead of the general one in the State. Perhaps more boys and girls go to college from this county in proportion to population than from any other in the State. This is due to the presence of a large number of high schools. The academies at Marshville, Wingate, Waxhaw, Unionville, Weddington and Morgan are fine feeders, besides shedding an influence for progress upon the communities in which they are located. Six of the nine townships of the county have each one or more academies, and in another there has been an excel- lent one, while in another of these some of the public schools run from eight to ten months in the year. At the county seat, Monroe, there is a splendid graded school system for both white and colored. At Wesley Chapel, in Sandy Ridge township, the people have voted a special tax, erected a $1500 house, and will maintain a rural graded school—the first in the State. Marsh- ville and Waxhaw are also considering the question of establish- ing graded schools. All this is in addition to the public schools provided by the State. There are several small free libraries in the county. Four local newspapers are maintained and all have good patronage. Free rural mail routes are being opened up and the whole county is fast becoming a net-work of telephone wires. This is no small factor in the spread of intelligence. Telephone conections with his neighbors and the town is no small comfort and convenience to a farmer. The telephone, the daily mail, the improved school and church facilities are adding an attractiveness to farm life which was undreamed of a few years ago. All these unite in making Union far up to- wards the head in general intelligence and desirability as a place of residence. HISTORICAL. The territory now embraced by Union county has at different times been a part of New Hanover, Bladen, Anson and Meck- lenburg counties. The old line between Mecklenburg and Anson ran some two miles east of Monroe. Thus Union has a part in the history of each—the Anson Regulators and the Mecklenburg signers. At the centennial in Charlotte in 1875 there was pres- ent a citizen of Union county who was then considerably over one hundred years of age, and had as a lad been present at the signing of the famous Declaration on May 20th, 1775. This county has the honor of having given President Andrew Jackson to the nation. Where his parents lived, some miles west of Mon- roe, is well known, as is also the place of his birth in Jackson township—named for him—in this county. Union county was "erected," as the statute puts it, in 1842. The magistrates in the territory of the new county were instructed to meet and form a county government, which they did on the first Monday in April, 1843, at La Batt's crossroads (old Tindel place.) There being a dispute between the Whigs and Democrats as to whether the county should be named Clay or Jackson, the word Union was suggested and adopted as a compromise and because the new county was created from parts of two others. TOWNS. Monroe, the capital, is of course the largest town of the county, but there are two others of considerable importance. Marshville, situated, ten miles east of Monroe. is a thriving town of several hundred inhabitants and does a large mercantile busi- ness. It has a roller flour mill and a good local newspaper. Our Home, which has been run for about 8 years by Mr. J. Z. Greene. Waxhaw, ten miles southeast of Monroe, has a population of 800, and several large mercantile houses which do an extensive business in furnishing a large area of territory. It also has a cotton mill, owned by Rodman & Heath. A good local paper is also published at Waxhaw, edited by Mr. P. T. Way. Both Wax- haw and Marshville are fine cotton markets, and each has a flourishing school. Wingate, six miles east of Monroe, is a thriv- ing village with a splendid high school. THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT. The people of Union county wisely entrust their affairs only in the hands of honest, intelligent and faithful public ser- vants. It is a county in which the people themselves rule. Under the primary system for selecting candidates every suc- cessful candidate must run before the people twice before getting his office. And after he gets it he must prove himself honest, efficient and accommodating or his services are dispensed with at the first opportunity. The county officials of Union have always been men who have fully justified the confidence reposed in them by the people. THE BOARD OF COFNTY COMMISSIONERS. W. F. Morgan, the chairman of the board of county commissioners, is a native of Anson county but moved to Union many years ago. For the past several years he has resided in Monroe. He has served four years as alder-man of the city and did so very acceptably. In 1898 he was elected on the board of county commissioners and re-elected in 1900. Mr. Morgan is a Democrat in politics and is very popular with the people. As a commissioner, he is cautious and watchful of the people's interests. A. J. Brooks is 47 years old, a native of Union county, and a successful farmer. He has been called to fill several positions of honor and trust and always filled them acceptably. He was appointed a justice of the peace in 1885 and has held the office ever since. In 1896 he was elected county commissioner and was the only one of the Democratic candidates elected on the board. In 1899 he was appointed as a member of the board of education and circled its chairman. In December, 1900, he resigned that office to again take his place on the board of county commissioners, to which he was elected by the people in November. He has served as a member of the Democratic executive committee for 16 years and is a genuine, pure Democrat whose services have always been at the call of his party. S. E. Belk was born in Lancaster county, S. C., Dec. 8, 1847. He was raised on the farm and started out at 21 without a dollar. For ten years he worked at the mill-wright trade with the late William Crow. He is now engaged in farming and running a flouring mill, saw mill and cotton gin on Lane's Creek. Mr. Belk has been remarkably successful in life, and by industry and thrift he has accumulated a considerable estate. In 1898 he was elected a county commissioner and re-elected in 1900. In managing the affairs of the county, Mr. Belk exercises the same prudence and economy that he does in his own affairs. B. A. Horn, the popular sheriff of Union county, was born in Lane's Creek township in 1859 and is a son of ex-sheriff J. P. Horn. He was brought up on the farm and followed farming as an occupation until 1884. In that year he became deputy sheriff under his father and held the position for ten years. In 1892 he was elected chief of police of the city of Monroe and served in that capacity for a short time. So efficiently did he discharge his duties as an officer that, upon the voluntary retirement of his father as sheriff, in 1896, he was chosen by the people as their sheriff. In that year the county was carried by a good majority by the Populists, yet Sheriff Horn was elected as a Democrat by 123 majority. At the next election in 1898 he received a majority of over 1300 and in 1900 there was no candidate against him. He is popular with all classes of people and no county in the State ever had a better or more capable sheriff than B. A. Horn. He knows his duties and responsibilities and he goes right along attending strictly to his own business and letting every other person's alone. He is a man of few words and runs his office smoothly and without a jar. In the service of process and the conduct of his office he follows the requirements of the law strictly. He collects the taxes promptly and has always made his settlements at the times provided by law. Sheriff Horn resides in our splendid jail and the apartments occupied by the family are elegantly furnished, the parlor con- taining both a piano and an organ. The prisoners all speak in praise of their treatment and say they are well fed and neatly cared for. Our plucky young sheriff is altogether an ideal officer, a superb citizen and a noble hearted man. E. A. Armfield, clerk of the superior court, is one of our best known men, having been in business in the county for more than 30 years. He completed his education at Trinity College in 1858 and then taught school and worked in a bank at Greensboro until 1860, when he moved to Georgia and engaged in farming. He resided in Georgia for 10 years, barring the time he was following the Confederate flag in other States. In 1870 he returned to North Carolina and loca- ted in Monroe. He at once went into the mercantile business, in part- nership with Mr. A. A. Laney, and continued in that business until 1889. The firm of Armfield & Laney did an immense business and contributed much towards the growth of Monroe. In 1889 Mr. Armfield moved to the country and again engaged, in farming and dealing in stock. In 1898 Mr. Armfield was elected by a big majority and is making a fine clerk. John W. Townsend, deputy clerk of the Superior Court, is a native of Concord, N. C., and a graduate of Trinity College. He has resided in Monroe twenty-seven years. He was in the cotton buying business with J. M. Fairley, Esq., for nineteen years and book-keeper for the Heath Hardware Company five years. Mr. Townsend is an expert accountant and cotton buyer. He makes an excellent deputy clerk and is a most excellent gentleman. He is local industrial agent for the S. A. L. Railway and will give information to parties wishing it concerning Monroe. The compilers of these sketches are indebted to Mr. Townsend for valuable assistance and desire to acknowledge the obligation. J. Millen Stewart is the very courteous register of deeds. He was born in the Jackson township—the same in which Andrew Jackson was born—on October 28th, 1843. He posesses many of the admirable traits of character exemplified in the life of "Old Hickory." He has made Monroe his home for many years and has served ten or twelve years as alderman of the city. He has always led an active business life and enjoys the confidence of everybody who knows him. In 1898 he was elected as a Democrat to the office of register of deeds by nearly 1300 ma- jority, wresting the office from a Populist. He is serving his second term with great satisfaction to the people of the county. James H. Williams, treasurer of Union county, is a farmer by occupation. He was born about 5 miles east of Monroe, on the 7th of May, 1858, and staid on his farm until he was elected treasurer in 1900, when he moved to Monroe. Mr. Williams is a Democrat in politics, and has rendered long and faithful service to his party. His name is a synonym for honesty, and the people know their money is safe as long as he holds the public purse. Mr. Williams is a gentleman of courteous bearing and has given the people entire satisfaction. He is a member of the Royal Arcanum, a consistent member of the Baptist church and one of our very best men. J. H. Boyte is a native of Union county, born February 13th, 1860. He was, reared on the farm and for several years followed farming and teaching school. He received his education at the North Carolina Col- lege and at Concordia College, in Catawba county. Later he attended Scott's Woodlawn Business College. He came to Monroe in 1889 and in 1897 was appointed surveyor, on the death of the late M. D. L. Biggers. He was elected by the people in 1898 and re-elected in 1900, and Mr. Boyte has made an accurate and very satisfactory surveyor. ROAD IMPROVEMENT. One of the objects of pride with the people of this vicinity is the work which is being done for the improvement of the public- highways. For six years we have had a convict force, ranging from twenty to sixty hands, constantly at work in opening new roads or straightening old ones and grading, and to some extent rocking. All the main highways leading from the town are graded to a greater or less distance, and the total number of miles graded is now between thirty-five and forty. An immense amount of work has been done. It has been necessary to make a great many very large fills and deep cuts, and the grades now attained will be permanent. Soon there will be the finest op- portunity for macadamizing. Something has already been done in this line. It is the policy of the commissioners to improve the worst sections as they go along. It should be remembered that only about four months in the year is the weather such as to make roads bad, and with the leveling and grading that is be- ing done, we already have, for six to eight months in the year. as good roads as are to be found in the United States. The beds are constructed not less than twenty-four nor more than thirty- four feet in width, oval in shape and thoroughly packed, and so present a beautiful sight. Their width will allow plenty of room for two tracks, one the natural bed, which can be used from six to eight months in the year, and one for macadam, for bad weather, stock preferring to avoid macadam when the dirt sections of the road are good. The convicts, many of whom came from other counties with sentences from thirty days to five yearg, are well-kept, and their comforts amply looked after. They are only required to work faithfully and behave themselves. The system has not only been of vast benefit in road improvement but in the saving of costs in jail maintenance and in deterring criminals who have no dread of jail imprisonment. The commissioners personally direct the operations of the force, through their excellent superintendent, Mr. B. T. Fletcher. The origin and progress of the work may not be uninteresting: "It is ordered by the Board that Chapter 194, Acts of the Gen- eral Assembly of 1895, entitled 'an Act for the improvement of the public roads of North Carolina,' ratified the llth of March, 1895, be adopted and accepted for the county of Union, and all of its provisions made applicable to said county, and said chap- ter, with all its provisions are hereby ordered and declared to be of full force and authority in said county of Union from and after the date of its adoption. The Board finds as a fact that the revenue of the county for ordinary purposes, and within the limitations prescribed by the Constitution, is insufficient to meet the necessary expenses of constructing, repairing and improving the public roads of the county, and that to meet said tax it is necessary to levy a special tax for the purpose on the taxable polls and property of the county not exempt from taxation." This order established the chain-gang of Union county, and on the meeting in June when other taxes were levied a special tax of fifteen cents on the $100 worth of property and forty-five cents on polls was levied to support it. In the following August petitions were presented asking the Board to rescind its order levying the road taxes, but it refused, dismissed the petition, and ordered the tax collected. At this meeting, Mr. B. B. Redwine, who had done so much to bring about the result which had thus been accomplished, resigned, and Mr. J. M. Fairley, one of the present road commissioners, succeeded him. Mr. Fairiey lead- ing, the Board took up with much energy the work which has proven so satisfactory to the people of the county. A five ton reversible road roller, a Buckeye Reversible road machine, five scrapers, a road plow, and a rooter plow, were pur- chased. The convicts were put to work under the direction of Mr. Jos. Howie, and in September of the same year Capt. W. L. Howie was elected to the position of superintendent, and for several years gave the most faithful service. The legislature of 3897 passed a special act, drawn by Mr. R. B. Redwine, confining the operations of the chain gang to Mon- roe township and levying a tax in this township of 25 cents on property and 75 cents on poll. The same act ordered the county commissioners to levy 15 cents on property and 45 cents on poll in all the other townships, all funds to be kept separately and used by the township in which they were collected. This latter tax is in force today, but the Monroe township tax, which sup- ports the chain gang, is now $1.00 on polls and 33 1-3 cents on property. >From its incipiency, when all work was purely experimental, there has been steady progress inthe management and in the actual work of road building. One by one such changes in the law as were found to be necessary were made, till today the system is better organized than ever before. The Legisla- ture of 1901 passed an act creating the road commission for Monroe township and relieving the county commissioners of the onerous work of managing the convict force and of supervising the construction of roads. This commission consists of J. M. Fairley, chairman, Thos. E. Williams and John C. Sikes. These gentlemen make a fine working force. As a whole they are enterprising and progressive, of splendid judgment, great energy and much real fondness for the work. Mr. Fairley has for years been one of the most enterprising citizens of the town, and has worked for its upbuilding with a single-hearted devotion which nothing daunts. He has already done more than his share of the public spirited work, but he is yet in the harness, as vigorous as ever. He was one of the prime movers for road improvement, as in all other progressive movements, and his selection as chair- man of the road commission was eminently proper, and he throws into this work an interest, energy and devotion, which are not compensated for except in the pure enjoyment he finds in seeing the work of progress go forward. His associates on the board are likewise marked by a devotion to their work. Mr. Sikes is a man of ripe judgment, conservative habits of thought, unsurpassed honesty of purpose, and his long years of observation and study of the road problem help to qualify him for his present position. Mr. Thos. E. Williams is another member of fine qualities. He has made a splendid success as a farmer; he is intelligent, thoughtful, has hard horse-sense, and is a man of observant habits who thinks for himself. GOLD IN UNION COUNTY. BY JNO. C. BATES. Before the discovery of gold in California the Government obtained the yellow metal for coming purposes from the Southern States, and North Carolina produced its full proportion. Gold was discovered in these states at a very early date in our history, even before the Revolutionary war, and gold mining has been prosecuted with more or less energy for about 150 years. >From 1833 to 1837 there was quite a boom in mining in the Southern gold fields, and considerable capital from the North and from England was invested in mining enterprises south of the "Mason & Dixon Line." In 1857 there was another boom that continued up to the breaking out of the Civil War. Since the close of the war mining in the Southern States has been spasmodic, and the result generally has not been satisfactory. Mecklenburg county, of which Union was a part until 1843, has been known for more than a century to be rich in gold. The territory now within the limits of Union county has its full share of the precious metal, and will rank favorably with any county in the State for its mineral wealth. There are many mines in the county that with the improved methods of mining and for extracting the gold can be made to pay hand- somely on the capital necesary to develop them. The failures in mining in the South have not been because the gold is not here, but from a lack of improved methods and other causes understood by mining men. [Photo] RESIDENCE OF T. J. GORDON. The above is a country home of Union county, situated six miles west of town; the owner is Mr. T. J. Gordon. He began life fifteen years ago on twenty acres of land received from his father's estate. He now owns twelve hundred acres, runs fif- teen plows, and lives in comfort in the fine home pictured above. He has farmed exclusively, and his success shows what may be done on a Union county farm with brains and energy. He grows cotton, corn, grain and peas, and pays special attention to clover. He is public spirited, and a leader in anything beneficial to his community. DR. T. W. REDWINE. Among the honored citizens of Union county none stand higher than Dr. T. W. Redwine. Born in Davidson county, N. C., April 18th, 1827, he attended the best schools afforded bv that county. He read medicine at Mt. Pleasant, N. C., under Drs. Smith and Stedman. He located at Samuel Howie's, in the western part of the county, and began the practice of medicine in September, 1846, and was in active practice for 53 years. When the war broke out he volunteered and went to the front. In September, 1861, he was elected captain of Company F 35th Eegiment. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1875 and represented Union with great credit to himself and his constituents. In 1880 he was elected president of the Union County Medical Society. In 1848 he married Miss Mary A. Clark and they were blessed with several children, one of them being Mr. R. B. Redwine, of the Monroe bar. Dr. Redwine is a quiet, unassuming gentleman of the old school and his aim in life has been to make an honorable and useful physician and a good citizen. In that aim his every as- piration has been realized. In his declining years he has the conscious knowledge of a life well spent, and that he possesses the love and esteem of his neighbors. MONROE. In the steady progress of the New South the thriving town of Monroe, the county seat of Union county, is bearing its full part. The site for the town was selected in 1844. The commissioners to locate the county scat being instructed to find the centre of the county and to select a place for the court house within at least two miles of the central point, first chose High Hill, two miles north of here, but not being able to obtain land there, selected the point on which the town now stands. The name of President James Monroe was given to the new county seat. The growth of the town has never been by jerks; it has been slow, but what has been achieved is permanent and substantial. The population inside of the incorporate lines, which are not much extended, is 2,500, and that of the suburbs being added, the whole is about 4,000. BUSINESS AND ENTERPRISE. The town has never had any large capitalists to develop her resources and her achievements of a progressive nature have come by the united action of her citizens. In this way a foundry and machine shop were built a number of years ago; also a cotton mill, an oil mill and a roller flour mill have been erected the same way. The people are ready to unite in any promising enterprise with any parties who wish to cast their lots with them. Merchandising has been the principle occupation, owing to the large trade area which the town has been able to supply. For years a large wagon trade has come here, not only from this and surounding counties, but from South Carolina. With better railroad facilities the jobbing trade has been growing and Monroe is certain to become a fine distributing point in the near future. The people are also turning their attention to manufacturing, and with the beginning already made, are in a position to go forward. Splendid manufacturing sites may be had at very low figures, and the people and the municipality are ready to offer all inducements and co-operation to promoters of any manufacturing enterprises. Furniture manufacturing would be a fine business here, owing to the proximity of the hard wood. TRANSPORTATION. Monroe is finely situated on the Seaboard Air Line, at the junction of the Georgia, Carolina and Northern with the Carolina Central, thus having outlets in these directions. At no distant date another road will reach here. This is the one from McBee, S. C., to Jefferson. When this reaches Monroe, its objective point, another fine trade section will be opened up. HEALTH. There can possibly be no more healthful town than Monroe. Added to the attractions of climate, described elsewhere, is the wholesomeness of the artesian water, with which the town has supplied itself. The wells arc nearly one thousand feet deep. The water is pure, soft and delightful. This has had a marked effect upon the health of the people. Official statistics show that only eighteen deaths occurred in town from all causes in 1900, and only thirteen in 1901. This was among the whole population, white and colored, and from all causes, not even excepting old age and infantile diseases. There has not been a death from fever in three years, and none from consumption among whites in the same length of time. Can any other place show so fine a record? SCHOOL AND CHURCHES. The wisdom of the people in voting to establish a graded school is being amply demonstrated. Schools and churches go arm in arm in their influence for the upbuilding of communities. In the matter of churches, Monroe is far ahead of many larger towns. The Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Episcopal and Lutheran denominations all have nice church buildings. The now buildings of the Presbyterian and Methodist congregations are a credit, not only to these congregations, but to the whole town. They are models of modern church architecture. Monroe people are a church-going folk and they take great pride in their church work. FRATERNAL ORDERS. The Masons, Knights of Pythias, Woodmen of the World, Royal Arcanum, Odd Fellows and Heptasophs all have large organizations. TOWN OWNS WATER AND LIGHT PLANTS. Monroe owns its own water and light plants. Its water is spoken of at length elsewhere. Water and lights are furnished residents nt a minimum cost. The fine electric light plant, has given entire satisfaction since its inauguration, and the streets are thoroughly lighted. The power which runs the pumps in the wells and the force pumps which are used instead of a standing pipe also runs the dynamos. The fire department, though volunteer, is very efficient. In recent fires the men have done work that would have been creditable to city firemen. Dr. S. J. Welsh is chief of the department; Davis Armfield, assistant chief; Dr. W. B. Houston. foreman; J. F. Correll and A. W. Boyte, assistant foremen; John Fullenwider, secretary; J. S. B. Hart, treasurer; J. F. Correll and J. W. Davis, engineers. HOMES AND LIVING. A very large per cent of the residents of Monroe own their own homes. Home building is comparatively easy here. Lots are cheap, and men unable to build without aid can easily find help in the Monroe Building & Loan Association, spoken of elsewhere, or from other sources. What more does one of mod- erate income want than a home in such a town as Monroe? Healthfulness is incomparable; living is cheap; houses easily obtained; school and church facilities unsurpassed. There is no rowdyness nor law breaking. There are no saloons, and parents are assured that nowhere will they find more favorable sur- roundings amid which to locate their homes and rear their chil- dren. There are handsome, modern dwellings here, cozy homes and modest little cottages, and one can find something to suit both taste and purse, to buy, build or rent. SUMMARY. Summarizing the things that have been said, Monroe and Union county offer to the capitalist and manufacturer good opportunities for investment and development, cheap land, cheap labor, cheap material at first hand, and co-operation in enterprise; to home-seekers they offer an ideal situation; to the weak they offer healthful conditions; to farmers seeking better climate they offer soil and climate that produce anything known to the temperate zone; to all they offer a hearty welcome and a helping hand. In this book is told of many of the things we have here. Many of those who have helped to make the town and occupy places of trust, respect and usefulness, are also spoken of in these pages. CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. Monroe has an active Chamber of Commerce, of which Mr. W. S. Lee, one of our most enterprising business men, is president, Mr. J. E. Clark secretary, and Frank Armfield, Esq., secretary-treasurer. The officers will gladly furnish any information regarding the town or county. MONROE'S ARTESIAN WATER. Not the least among the attractions of Monroe is its unexcelled artesian water. It is not a panacea for every ill that afflicts humanity. It is not the "Fountain of Life" for which thousands have so eagerly sought for centuries—a certain shield for "all the evils that wait on mortal life, from pain and death forever;" but it is a most excellent remedy for indigestion, dyspepsia, all kinds of gastric and kidney troubles, rheumatism, lassitude, debility from overwork, that "tired feeling" that comes upon one when the season is changing from snow and ice into the balmy sunshine and gentle breezes of spring; in fact, were we to state in this article how many cures have been made by this water in the last two years, since it began to be used, it would sound like fiction or a tale from the Arabian Nights. Distilled and compounded in Nature's own laboratory, more than one thousand feet beneath the earth's surface, it is far beyond the reach of baccilli or fever germs, and there is no recorded case of typhoid fever in our city since this water came into general use, except in cases where they continued to use common well water. As it gurgles up from the fountain depths in two streams of 1028 and 968 feet deep, through solid slate rock, it bursts into the cistern and water mains, limpid and sparkling, clear as crystal and almost absolutely pure. The official analysis, made by the State Chemist, is as follows: Total solid matter in solution, 11.9 grains per U. S. gal. Total solids consist of: Calcium bicarbonate, 7.47 grains per U. S. gal; sodium chloride, 1.98 grains per U. S. gal; organic matter, soluble silica, magnesium sulphate, 2.45; iron bicar- bonate, free carbonic acid gas, .36 cubic inches per gal.; no sul- phur present as gas. By this analysis is shown that the Monroe Artesian water is unsurpassed by any other in North Carolina, or as to that, in the South. The city fathers have erected a nice pavilion, hard by the well, where all who choose can go at any time of the day or night and drink the water as it comes from the well, and thus obtain all the benefits that it gives. The water is better at the well than from the mains, as some of the healthful gases escape before it gets from the cistern into the water pipes and to the houses. Knowing the great value of this water, we cannot see any peculiar reason why parties from the malarial sections should go further up the country to spend the summer, and endure hard beds and rough fare of some watering places when they could come here and enjoy all the comforts of home in Monroe's excel- lent private houses and first class hotels. Monroe is high enough above the sea level to be free from malaria—the climate is delightful—very few sultry days in summer and not many ex- cessively cold ones in the winter—good graded roads running in various directions, affording lovely drives—splendid livery accommodations—fine churches—good music—hospitable and clever people, who will extend a genuine, old fashioned Southern hospitality to all who come in their midst. We might say much more in this article, but we do not consider it necessary, as we know if you come to Monroe once, you will be a constant visitor thereafter. We are willing to let the following testimonials concerning the water speak for themselves: DR. ASHCRAFT'S STATEMENT. Having practiced medicine in Monroe for a number of years, I have had ample opportunity to observe the health and pre- vailing diseases of the town. Prior to the use of the Monroe Artesian water, the town was visited almost every year by an epidemic of that dreaded disease, typhoid fever. Since the town has been supplied with this pure water, typhoid fever is unknown to us, except now and then an isolated case, where the water- has not been used. The Monroe Artesian wells range from 700 to 1000 feet deep and are cased from top to bottom, making it impossible for fever-producing germs to find their way into the water. Almost every epidemic of typhoid fever implies a contaminated water supply. Besides eliminating typhoid fever from the town, it exerts a most beneficial influence in uric acid diathesis. The Monroe Artesian water is a wonderful patent remedy in gouty and rheumatic conditions This water exerts a stimulant effect upon the kidneys, and thereby aids the swift removal of insoluble material from the system. The Monroe Artesian water corrects those digestive failures which are responsible for the production of so many topic materials of the body. J. E. ASHCRAFT. (Dr. Ashcraft is one of the most successful practitioners in North Carolina. He is now in New York doing special work.) PRAISE FROM A HIGH SOURCE. Southwestern Presbyterian University. Department of Chemistry, S. R. McKee, Ph. D. Clarksville, Tenn., January 15, 1902. Hon. R. L. Stevens, Mayor of Monroe, Dear Sir: While in North Carolina during the past summer I had the opportunity to use Monroe artesian water in my family. After a trial of nearly three months with members of the family of different ages, I pronounce it a most excellent water. Its action in cases of impaired digestion, I think, is very fine; and I predict for it a very extensive use when people become acquainted with its beneficial effects. Verv truly yours. S. R. MCKEE. FROM SOLICITOR ROBINSON. This is to certify that soon after becoming canvalescent from a ten weeks' confinement to my bed with inflammatory rheumatism, I drank the artesian water of Monroo, N. C., for one week and received great benefit from it. I cheerfully recommend it to all rheumatics. In my opinion it is very fine water. L. D. ROBINSON. FROM A WELL KNOWN INSURANCE MAN. Charlotte, N. C., June 16. Gentlemen: It gives me great pleasure to say a word in praise of your splendid water. I have been much benefitted by the use of same—not only in cases of general debility, but repeatedly in cases of indigestion. I have always gained in flesh after a stay of a few days in your pleasant town. The water is pure, soft and sweet. The "quaff" is heightened in pleasure because of the knowledge that good is to follow the drinking. Very truly, P. B. MAYS. ENTIRELY CURED MR. MORRIS. Raleigh, N. C., May 9, 1902. To Messrs. Stack & Beasley: I have been drinking Monroc artesian wafer about six week and it has entirely cured me of dyspepsia. I have been rail- roading in Kentucky, West Virginia, Virginia and North Car- olina for twenty-two years and I pronounce the Monroe artesian water the best that I have ever used and cheerfully recommend it to all who may be suffering from indigestion and kidney troubles. J. S. MORRIS, Engineer S. A. L. Railway. USES NO OTHER WATER. Charlotte, N. C., May 10, 1902. To whom it may concern: This is to state that I have been using the Monroc artesian water for more than two years and take pleasure in saying it is the finest water I have ever used. I use no other water for drinking purposes in my family except from the artesian well at Monroe and have not taken a half dozen drinks of any other kind in over two years. It is absolutely pure. H. T. ROLLINS. U. S. Ry. Postal Clerk from Monroe to Rutherfordton. TESTIMONIALS. Hon. O. H. Allen, Judge of Fifth Judicial District of North Carolina, Kinston, N. C., writes that he received substantial benefit from drinking the Monroe artesian water while holding two courts in this city. * * * * Rev. S. B. Turrentine, D. D., of the Western North Carolina Conference, testifies to its healthful properties and states that he considers it a most excellent water, especially adapted to persons who are run down and debilitated by overwork or who suffer with any kind of gastric troubles. * * * * Hon. T. A. McNeill, Judge of the Seventh Judicial District. of North Carolina, Lumberton, N. C., says: "The people of Monroe should get upon their knees every night and thank Almighty God for blessing them with such incomparably fine water," that no place he has visited has such pure and delightful, health-giving water. * * * * Mr. J. J. Moody, of this city, an ex-Confederate soldier, bearing in his body the baneful effects of exposure in camp and field during those dreadful years of war, also the numerous wounds received in battle, has for years been almost a physical wreck, unable to work, sometimes almost too feeble to walk around, and in consequence his digestive organs completely out of gear so that he could eat nothing, only the lightest kind of food, and then suffered almost death from indigestion and dyspepsia. About two years ago he began drinking the artesian water, drank it freely and daily. He soon began to grow stronger, his strength increased, his dyspepsia disappeared, he became able to eat any kind of food without detriment, his lassitude and debility left him and today he is strong and healthy as he was in the hey day of his young manhood and says that Monroe artesian water did it all. If any one doubts this state- ment, let him write J. J. Moody, Monroe, N. C., for verification of the same. * * * * A lady of Wilmington, N. C., was in an exceedingly bad state of health—could scarcely sit up and could eat nothing except the very lightest diet—was wasted away to almost a shadow. She came to Monroe, drank freely of the artesian water, and in a little over one month's time had gained about twenty pounds in flesh and was restored to her pristine health. * * * * We could give scores of cases similar to these, but do not deem it necessary—a trial of the water will convince the most skeptical of its merits. * * * * The State Sanitary Chemist, after an examination of water of various towns and cities says: "Monroe has the finest water in the State." A CARD FROM PROF. BLAIR. This is to state that I have been using the Monroe artesian. water for only three weeks, yet I feel like a new man. I have for a long time been troubled with costiveness and compelled to take pills regularly, but since I began to use thsi [sic] water I have had no further trouble. I am a native of Boston and have traveled over most of the Northern and Western States and I have never seen any water that could compare with the Monroe artesian water. Besides its curative properties, it is perfectly pure. It will compare with distilled water in purity. JOHN BLAIR, Music Director. CURED INDIGESTION. I hereby certify that I found the Monroe, N. C., mineral water very beneficial in a severe case of indigestion. MRS. W. H. SHAW, 322 N. 3rd St., Wilmington, N. C. USED IT FOUR YEARS. I gladly testify to the merits of the well of water known as "Artesian" water of Monroe, N. C., drinking it exclusively for four years. I have been suffering with indigestion and could not eat solid food and since using the water have been greatly benefited. I consider it the best water to be found anywhere. Respectfully. MRS. J. F. WHISHART. ACTS LIKE A TONIC. Charlotte, N. C., May 16, 1902. Messrs. Stack & Beasley: It gives me pleasure to say that I have been using the Monroe artesian water for some time and pronounce it a splendid water. It is good for the kidneys and for indigestion and acts like a tonic in building up the system. It only needs to be known in order to attract people to your splendid young city to live. GEO. G. SHANNONHOUSE, Conductor on Atlanta Special. 50 ANOTHER THING ABOUT MONROE LITHIA WATER The excellency of its purity and properties is already estab- lished. The sick and feeble the well and hearty are benefitted by its use. If sick it helps yon; if well it keeps you so. For dyspepsia and indigestion and all forms of kidney and liver ailments it is an invaluable remedy. Whether sick or well, you could not do a wiser thing than try it. We make a specialty of supplying this famous water, carbonated and plain, for drinking purposes. WE USE IT exclusively in everything we bottle. Our a1es and soda waters are as good as the very best, because we use only the best materials and are very particular that cleanliness is used extrav- agantly. They cost no more than the common kinds and are far superior. Our specialties are ginger ale and carbonated water. put up in 5-cent bottles. They are made to please the customer —in quality and in price—and they don't disappoint. For prices and further information, address MONKOE BOTTLING WORKS., Monroe, N. C, THE FOUNTAIN ON THE SQUARE. 'Tis but rarely in the hurry And the rivalry and worry 0; hard work that I may wander, seeking pure fresh woodland air, So when life brims o'er with trouble Or success seems but a bubble, Oft I ramble to the fountain that is gurgling on the square— To the calm and stately fountain, To the spirit-resting fountain, To the patience-teaching fountain that is gurgling on the square. When at night, sleep flies my pillow, Thought, upborne on every billow That comes surging, surging, surging, from a mighty sea of care With its helmsman, will, contending, Wildly roams till night's drear ending, If I do not seek the music of the fountain on the square- Seek the drowsy, soothing music, Seek the lulling, measured music, Seek the slumber-tempting music of the fountain on the square. When my soul lies sick with sorrow, And its grief seems but to borrow Vigor from the dragging moments, while approaching stalks despair >From Contrition's tear-stained ashes, >From Remorse's fearful lashes Flee I soon to hear the laughter of the fountain on the square Hear the calmly rippling laughter, Hear the softly gurgling laughter, Hear the gently-gloating laughter of the fountain on the square —FRANK ARMFIELD. THE GOVERNMENT OF THE TOWN. OFFICIALS. Alderman L. E. Helms is a member of the firm of L. K. Helms & Co., doing a general grocery busi- ness. He lived on his farm until 1884, when he began teaching school and taught for several years. In 1889 he engaged in the drug business in Monroe. In 1892 he began the present business, on the corner of Windsor and Lafayette streets and has built up a nice trade. He is attentive to business, public or private, and is as honest as Cato. Many matters of responsibility and trust have been committed to him and in every instance his conduct has been ac- cording to the letter of the law. In May, 1901, Mr. Helms was elected an alderman of the city and has made a conscientious public servant. He is the kind of man that elevates the public service. James B. McKae was born in Anson county, North Carolina, November sixteenth, 1858. He moved to Mon- roe in 1881 and has since made it his home. For several years he worked with the old and reliable house of A. H. Crowell & Son. In 1894 he engaged in the mercantile business with Mr. T. C. Collins and continued with him until September, 1901. That business was merged in the "McRae Mercantile Co." later on. Mr. McRae is serving his third term as city alderman. Twice before he was elected by large majorities and the last time all parties united on him and he was elected without opposition. Mr. McRae is a very successful businesman and a most agreeable gentleman. S. W. Parham was born in Henderson, N C., Jan. 13, 1856. He has been in the railroad service since 1875 and connected all that time with themS. A. L. and its predecessors. He has lost but one month's time during the 27 years. Capt. Parham came to Monroe in 1890, purchased property and will likely make his residence here permanent. He was first elected an alderman in 1894 and was re-elected and served until 1898. In 1901 he was persuaded to run again and was elected by the largest majority of anyone on the ticket except Mr. McRae, who had no opposition. Capt. Parham is on the board of trustees of the Graded School and an active church man, and his influence is always for the good of the community. George S. Lee is a South Carolinian by birth and was reared on the farm. He followed farming until he came to Monroe in 1880 to become a salesman for Marsh & Lee. He worked for that firm until 1886, when he opened up a clothing store. In 1896 he joined his brother, James H. Lee in the large dry goods house of Lee & Lee, mention of which will be found elsewhere in these sketches. In May, 1901, Mr. Lee was elected alderman from the fourth ward and is one of the most popular officials the city ever had. In his public and private life Mr. Lee is one of the purest and best of men. Dr. John M. Blair was born in Chesterfield county, S. C., April 3rd, 1864. He was educated at the South Carolina Mili- tary Academy, at Charleston, and the Greenville (S. C.) Mili- tary Institute. He read medicine at Charleston and graduated at the medical college in Louisville. He first located at Dudley, S. C., and after practicing there one year, located in Monroe. He is now county physician, local surgeon of the S. A. L. Railway, and enjoys a good practice. As a surgeon he stands very high. He is now serving his third term as alderman, having been elected in 1901 as alderman at large for the city. Dr. Blair is an attractive conversationalist, a most companionable gentleman and an all-round, jam-up, good fellow. SEABOARD AIR LINE. "THE CAPITAL CITY ROUTE." With double daily solid vestibuled trains between the North and South. Quickest and most convenient route to Florida. Also two splendid trains daily between Monroe, Atlanta, Char- lotte, Raleigh, Portsmouth, Richmond, Washington, Philadelphia and New York. ATLANTA SPECIAL, daily. Pullman sleeping cars between Portsmouth, Norfolk and Atlanta. SEABOARD FAST MAIL, daily. From New York, connecting with Federal Express from Boston. Another LIMITED TRAIN to Pinehurst, Camden, Florida, Cuba and Atlanta. SUMMER TOURISTS' TICKETS on sale at all coupon ticket offices, at low rates, and providing stop-over privileges not offered by any other line, with option of diverse route returning to Portsmouth, Norfolk or Richmond. SUMMER HOMES FOLDER and other attractive and useful illustrated literature, together with valuable information furnished free upon application. THE SCHEDULES are fine and time quick. A person, after taking supper in Monroe, can go to either Richmond, Portsmouth, Atlanta or Columbia and get there for breakfast the next morning. The service is fine, road bed smooth and train officials careful, polite and genteel, thus assuring to travelers pleasant journeys, assured of safety. H. S. LEARD, T. P. A., JAMES M. BARR, 1st Vice-Pres. & Gen. Mgr., Raleigh, N. C. Portsmouth, Va. General Offices are at Portsmouth. Va. THE S. A. L. ROUTES AND DESTINATIONS. The Seaboard Air Line passes through one of the most fertile- sections of the fair Southland, from Virginia through the two Carolinas and Georgia into Florida, the land of perpetual Spring. the Eldorado of the health and pleasure seekers. Along its borders are all kinds of climate, where grow the grains and fruits of the northern section, the golden tobacco, the waving fields of wheat and oats, the fleecy cotton, the luscious peach, the juicy apple, the seductive grape, and the toothsome "water- millyon," and further South the tropical fruits—the banana, pineapple, guava, and cocoanut. The section immediately around and adjacent to Monroe is very healthful, free from malaria and moderately fertile. The land produces wheat, oats, corn, peas and grasses in abundance. When well cultivated, cotton also yields gratifying harvests those who use freely of commercial fertilizers or stable manure. And the grade of the cotton is the finest of short staple cotton in the world—a great deal of it grading fair and middling fair. (Cotton men will understand what this is.) Fruits succeed well, especially apples, strawberries and grapes. It is a good section for raising stock, as clover and nutritious grasses grow luxuriantly when proper attention is paid to them. It is a good section for the erection of wood-working plants, for we have an abundance of the finest kind of hickory, oak and pine timber right at our doors; also a good deal of poplar and some walnut. Lands are cheap, and good farms near enough the city to be convenient, for market can be bought at from $6 to $20 per acre, the price ranging according to locality, amount of tim- ber, improvements, etc. The citizens of this section welcome all new comers who wish to settle in our midst for the purpose of making a living and helping to build, up and beautify this garden spot of the Pied- mont section. The city of Monroe is the healthiest place in the State and has the best water in the South, and offers induce- ments for capitalists who wish to erect industrial plants of any kind, and her citizens will not hesitate to put their capital into business with other parties from other sections. North, East or West, who wish to locate in her borders. Any further or specific information desired about the soil, climate, timbers, water- powers, minerals, lands, etc., will be cheerfully furnished by J. W. TOWNSEND, S. W. PARHAM, Local Industrial Agent, S. A. L. Station Agt. S. A. L. MONROE, N. C.