Roanoke Beacon Newspaper

Washington County, N. C.

Vol. No. 1 - Issue No. 14

August 9, 1889 (Part 1)

Abstracted / Transcribed by Linda Haas Davenport

When the print is so faded that it cannot be read <.....> will be used . All transcription will be as found in the paper, misspellings and all

Page 1 - Preprinted

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THE ARTESIAN WELL.
     We spoke a few weeks ago in our local columns about an Artesian well, and since that time we have consulted with several of our citizens upon this important subject, and are glad to note that our views have met with the hearty approval of many. Of course there are some men in Plymouth, as well as all other towns, who do not care to make any improvements in the old way of living. They have managed to stay here without the aid of artesian water and do not seem to be inclined to try to avoid the malaria, drank daily, from the old fashion well.
     This is a new age, and with it comes many improvements, for our people in accomplishing labor and improving the health, and it is our duty as citizens to strive to place around our town all things that will be for the promotion of the present and coming generations.
     There is no question about the beneficial value of an artesian well. To prove our <...> we will refer you to the low <...> lands of Georgia and other Southern States where the people of those towns had to go North in summer to avoid the ever lurking fever. But now many of the towns and cities of which we speak have artesian water to drink and instead of leaving home in summer they stay, and in perfect safety.
     The cost of boring a well in this town will not exceed five hundred dollars and will be of invaluable worth to the citizens for years to come.
     Water is not only craved by the appetite but is a constant necessity, and it is too often the case that when the supply is ample the quality is not questioned. The saying that "Ignorance is bliss" is very true in this case, but that "Tis folly to be wise" may be questioned, for this same blissful ignorance is dangerous and often fatal.
     Clear cold water is what we think about and long for, but we often make a mistake when we go to the farm well and draw from it a bucket of "pure well water" and drink our fill, we look upon it as one of the chief pleasures of country life and one the main sources of country health. At the bottom of that clear cold water may be a foot or two of filthy stinking mud. Behind those moss-covered stones or curb are dead insects and other reptiles whose bodies are leaching into the well every rain or splash of the bucket.
     Typhoid fever is a disease perculiar to our community and when traced, if traced at all, goes to the water supply; and many physicians have been made rich and many lives sacrificed by the hideous poison at the bottom of our wells.
     The desire for very cold water is more of a habit than anything else. People who get accustomed to water at the natural temperature of ponds and streams are more independent and can satisfy their thirst with less danger of unfavorable effects than those who are need to cold water just from the well.
     The cistern is a great benefit to a community, but nothing to compare with the clear, pure mountain water that comes from the artesian wells.
     We have written to several parties to get an estimate of the cost of boring a well in this town, and as soon as possible we will give our readers the particulars; in the mean time we ask the citizens of the town to give this subject their earnest attention and be prepared to aid in the accomplishment of this much need addition of our town. Do not say it is impossible or that we can do without it, but say that our position needs it, (as it does), and that you will do all in your power to secure an artesian well for the benefit of the town in which you live.

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"HONOR TO WHOM HONOR IS DUE."
     Our esteemed contemporary, the Economist, in its recent issue describing the Reunion of the Confederate Veterans in Elizabeth City has this to say in reference to one of the speakers who appeared on that occasion - Col. Wm. F. Beasley:
     "And here by way of episode we will say that Col. Beasley is a native of our section and was reared in this town."
     The first part of our friend's assertion is correct, but the latter is a total mistake; for not only was Col. Beasley a native of this historic old town of Plymouth, but here too he was reared, until the war, which compelled so many of our people through the destruction of our town to find homes elsewhere, caused him to leave us.
     His people for many years were among the most prominent and influential of our citizens; in the Episcopal church yard of our city many of those who have gone before of his family are resting, and the old Academy, gone in the wreck of the war, gave him his educational training for many years.
     No, Bro. Greecy, Will Beasley is a Plymouth boy, "native here and to the manner born," and whilst we rejoice to see that the entire section of his nativity is proud to claim him, still, by old Roanoke water, and not Pasquotank, was he reared, and his splendid record is a part of the glory belonging to this ancient town.

The grading on the road from Williamston to Plymouth has been completed and track laying is being done as rapidly as possible. All the trestles have not yet been built, but it is thought that the road will be finished and trains will be running on it before October. The terminus of this road will be at Roper City, six or eight miles below Plymouth, where there is plenty of water front, and it is generally believed that a line of steamers will be put on from this point direct to Baltimore. It is thought that trains will be run direct from Weldon to Plymouth and Roper City in connection with the steamers to Baltimore. It is also reported that a road will be built from Roper City to some point on Pamlico Sound. - Roanoke News
     The above paragraph from the News is right so far as it speaks of the Railroad being pushed forward to completion, but, it must be wrong when it says that the terminus will be at Roper City eight miles below Plymouth. In the first place there is no water front at said town. It being situated on the McKensey creek, one of the most crooked streams we ever saw, and is not navigable only by small boats.
     The terminus of this road will undoubtedly be Plymouth as the company is now at work building the depot, elevators, etc. After the road is completed to this point, it may then run a branch road to Pungo river, unless Mr. Roper can be persuaded to connect his road at this place, which it is quite likely he will do.
     The R. R. R & L. Company will run their road to Washington, making this the northern terminus. As to water front, no town can offer better.

Theodore Council, the young man who killed his wife with "Rough on Rats" near Robersonville, Martin county, about two weeks ago, was arrested near his home on Friday last and committed to jail at Williamston to await trial. He is trying to get acquitted on a plea of insanity, but if guilty of the crime he should be given the full penalty.

In our last issue we mentioned the killing of an Editor, Roger J. Page, of Marion, N. C. A late dispatch from Marion, tells us that one Edwin brown, charged with the homicide, went to the Sheriff's office voluntarily and surrendered. He waived examination and was committed to await his trail at the October term of the Superior Court.

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Cabarrus county will have a fair this fall.

Newton is having her streets macadamized and sidewalks curbed and paved.

The next session of the Western Baptist Association will be held at Asheville October 28th.

A large amount has been subscribed to build a cotton factory at New Berne on the co-operative plan.

A patent has been granted Rev. C. L. Arnold, of Wilmington, on a new and useful improvement in cars.

Charlotte is said to manufacture more paper for the country than perhaps any other place of equal size.

A meeting has been held at Asheville looking to the establishment of a wood-working establishment there.

The headquarters of the Inter-State Immigration Bureau, which embraces all the Southern States, will be located at Raleigh.

The Battery Park Hotel at Asheville, which is one of finest in the state, is soon to have one hundred more rooms added.

The Warrenton Gazette has entered upon its eighteenth year under the same management. Few papers in the State have done so well.

Morganton Star: We understand that the Morganton Land and Improvement company will positively open a bank in Morganton on or before the 1st of October next.

Governor Fowle thinks the celebration of the 400th anniversary of the discovery of America should be held at Washington and the expenses be paid by the general government.

The Southern Cotton Exchange rates North Carolina fourth as a cotton producing State, and makes the statement that no Southern State ranks it flunucially [?], as is evidenced by the great increase in manufacturing industries and in railway development.

There will be eight or ten fairs in this State this year. The first will be August 6th at Mount Holly. The list will close with the Fayetteville Fair in November, with the Centennial Celebration, where Jefferson Davis and Senator Ransom will speak. - Democrat.

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