A BUGGY RIDE FROM OZARK TO DOTHAN IN THE SUMMER OF 1888 BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE RAILROAD  https://independentmonitor.blogspot.com/

 from the June 13, 1888 SOUTHERN STAR

Written for the Star. . A TRIP TO DOTHAN. . .

It was with anticipation of the most pleasant kind that we a drove out of the city on a sunny morning, the first of June, behind, not a pair of spanking boys either, but one that "got there, Eli, all the same." "On to Dothan," was the cry, and swiftly the miles rolled away. A score or more miles through the heart of the country on a bright morning and afternoon it was a tonic that, could it be bottled, would drive from the market the most skillfully prepared panaceas of the chemist's laboratory. Low ridges and sloping valleys, rising and falling in billowy beauty, clad in the soft tinted livery of the May queen, fields of tender corn, rustling and nodding in the coquetting breezes and ridgy patches of ground broadening out until kissed by the misty horizon line where the young King Cotton reigns. The late rains have wrought a wonderful improvement in the prospects of things. Corn is, as the rustics express it, "Jest everlastingly a tryin' itself." Should the season hold good for a few weeks longer the success of this crop is assured. It takes cotton about half the season to decide whether it is going to do anything or not. It has not reached a decision up to this writing. I can only say the outlook is fair, and further developments are awaited with much anxiety. The oat fields now, to the impractical eye is the most beautiful thing to behold ; great stretches of deep sea-green, brightening the landscape, their whitish green heads looking like splashes of foam on the shining expanse. With the rippling motion of the breeze to complete the simile, they are most restful to the eye. However, I believe the major part are fully ripe enough to cut, and are now being rapidly harvested. If I am allowed to pass a decision, I pronounce the oat crop excellent.

 But this piece of philosophizing has brought us to and past the town of Newton, beautifully situated; as everybody knows, just across the Choctawhatchee river. But if there is nothing particularly attractive about Newton, there is, at the same time, nothing emoltrative (ed. note:?). and I would have to draw straws to determine whether it was good, bad, or indifferent. I have learned one thing. There are a lot of the nicest sort of people who live just outside of Newton, and you don't have far to go to get outside so I will merely hint that probably it suggests all. So I guess it must be a charming little Alabama village as they all are.

Leaving this village, we strike a beautiful, level country, over which we go spinning right merrily. The farms are well tilled, and the fences are very much like the high, well-made, jolly old acquaintances that I used to scramble over in my youth, the halcyon days of my youth, when I used to go in search of dew berries and find black snakes. These woods are magnificent. The farm houses are generally well built, particularly those built within the past year or two, of which there is not a few, and there is a family air of comfort about them most inviting to those who know as much about the hospitable nature of the inhabitants as I believe I know. I notice one thing about these people that live in this section, the southern and along on the border lands of Dale and confines of Henry. Their cribs and barns and out-houses are well built and kept in good repair, and there is no surer indications of the prosperity of a country than this, a big handsome, white painted mansion, linked by a tumble down crib and a stable which sets in a crouching attitude, with one stable pointing skyward and the other in the dust of humiliation, means that "there is something rotten in Denmark." You can't always tell a man by the clothes he wears, but you can make a pretty good guess at a farmer, if you observe the houses he builds. At Brannan Stand we wheel to the left, and descending a long stout at a merry speed we enter a shady dell, where the flowerets flourish, and a long stretch of heavily timbered woods, where the lonely cry of the horn owl is heard, and rare birds with shining eyes flit about from tree branch, gathering insects from beneath the low lying shrubs and musty banks. 

It is only four miles to Dothan and we are soon in sight of this lovely burg. Here we meet old acquaintances and make new ones, and pass off the evening very pleasantly chatting, occasionally touching upon the Senatorial question, I must say that I was not a little surprised to find so many there favoring Dr. Steagall. From what I gathered I think Steagall will get a very respectable support, to say the least from Henry, while the southern part of Dale is solid for him. Late in the day the Senatorial discussion waxed warm, in so much that two or three mounted the top of a barrel (I won't say what kind) making short speeches in behalf of the men of their choice. 

But I must be off to the entertainment as the boys have gotten up one and I've promised to attend, so after supper we wound our way to the residence of Mr. D. where I spend a most pleasant evening. But for modesty I would like to pay the young ladies a compliment and will merely say that Dothan is certainly proud of them, or at least she should be. It is useless to say that I shall remember Dothan as a land of pure delight and, oh, well, I guess you've been to places before now, that when you left, you had rather not leave, but was inclined to linger because of the friends you left behind. Ere long I hope the Midland R. R. will be built along the route I have described and Dothan no doubt will be a station, and when it is completed, I am going again. Meantime we bid adieu to the beauties of the fair little town, having scored another day of rare enjoyment. J. O. C.

from the February 23, 1889 EUFAULA DAILY TIMES

 DOWN AT DOTHAN

Assuming the Airs of a City--An Interesting Letter.

 EDITOR TIMES: -Your correspondent is now in the Queen City, (Dothan). I have never seen a town building faster the South than Dothan. Men of means from everywhere are here buying property. Dothan will not only be a city but from the present outlook will be a wealthy one. The Alabama Midland is rashing with all possible speed. The city fathers seem to be aware of their duties and are discharging them with zeal.

New streets are opening, new houses building, and in fact everything is being done to make this place a city in the near future.

I have visited every place along the Midland road and Dothan is sure to outstrip any place on this road unless it is Troy. Dothan has a large territory which no other town can possibly interfere with, and this vast area of land is very fertile and a good portion of it in cultivation. Here is the place for a guano manufactory. Dothan has a fine spring which will supply the entire city with good free stone water as healthful as can be, and it can be easily utilized. Having these natural and geographical advantages I cannot see why Dothan is not the place. The country, by which Dothan is surrounded is the best adapted to fertilization of any country in the South and is capable of being raised to the very highest standard of cultivation. Your scribe is of the opinion that several of the domestic grasses can be grown here with success and that this country can be easily made a stock country and the lands which now sell for five to eight dollars per acre can soon be made worth one hundred. I do uot only think it can be done but it will be done. Will write you more soon. 

X.

from the October 17, 1889 DAILY DEMOCRAT (Beatrice, Nebraska)