The following column, which ran in the August 10th, 1902 publication of the Shreveport Times, page 6. Special to the Times.
Rayville – Glowing Description of the Town’s Prosperity
Rayville, La., Aug 9 – The enterprise of this thriving little town previously described in this paper continues with renewed activity. No better location can be found for investments; situated as it is on two trunk lines of railroads affording quick, comfortable and safe transportation of passengers and cheap delivery of freight from each point of compass and surrounded by one of the most fertile farming districts in the state. Larger towns there are, but none that can boast of more business to the square foot, or more up-to-date methods of transacting it, or more well-informed intelligent men to the number of inhabitants or greater profits realized on the amounts invested.
The Richland State Bank having purchased the best lot in town, the building of which is now in rapid process of construction, delegated to Mr. Charles Titche, a wealthy and prominent merchant and stockholder the honor of laying the first brick, which he did with appropriate ceremonies, as chairman of the building committee, and the second one was laid by its president, Judge C. J. Ellis, then the third by its vice-president W.N. Traylor and the fourth by Mr. J. W. Simms.
Mr. A.S. England one of the 4th directors has just left with his estimable wife for a tour of nothern cities where he will have all necessary bank stationery lithographed and the first class bank fixtures shipped without delay.
The new administration with Mr. George Wesley Smith, a prominent lawyer of this town as mayor, Messrs. James Rhymes and J. W. Simms in charge of a new improved road machine propelled by sis horses and piloted by three men, have succeeded in putting the the streets in good order, with sloping decents from the center each way, well draining the entire town.
Mr. James A. Mhoon, president of the police jury, and his colleagues believe in encouraging mew inventions and have placed in the hands of the clerk of the court, Mr. J. W. Summerlin, a book typewriter and he operates it in the manner of an expert and Richland will now have printed records, another link in the chain of prosperity.
Car load after car load of staves have been shipped from here this week by the representatives of persons to whom they will be received in Liverpool and although about thirty wagons have been engaged for two weeks in hauling them, they have not yet finished, as the number will reach about one hundred thousand.
Bountiful rains in time for cotton make the farmer smile and this fall when the bales of cotton begin to roll on the platform of the Iron Mountain and the V. S. & P. Railroad here we will have an unabated business bust and a land “flowing with milk and honey.” All good citizens are invited to come and share our good fortune.
Categories: 1900's, 20th century, Clear Lake, Clerks of Court, Mayors, POLITICS, Rayville, State Representatives