Clarksville Weekly Chronicle

While traveling over this property Judge Smith took us over a former land speculation of his in South Clarksville, near the Methodist Church there. Here we find a settlement in a more advanced stage. The lots are all taken up, and small but comfortable houses have filled up every nook and corner, and they are occupied by an industrious and thriving population. Only one thing is lacking for the complete prosperity of this village, and that is the final suppression of the neighboring negro graveyard, measures to which end were adopted at the last two meetings of the county court.

No one can doubt that by opening up this land for occupation, Messrs. Smith & Lurton have conferred an inestimable benefit upon the community by rendering possible the settlement among us of an industrious and enterprising population, which is what the community essentially needs for its future development. We have heard it said in a disparaging tone that the gentlemen have made money by it, much as Job's tempter and calumniator asked, "Doth Job serve God for nought?" We have no doubt that their investments have been and will be profitable, and so far from this detracting from the merit of the enterprise, we think that it is its most valuable feature, for it demonstrates that the enterprise which builds up a community is also profitable to him who originates it; and the proof of this, which is now open for all men to see, will influence other property holders to follow the example by opening to settlement tracts of land which to the public are now a mere waste, and to the owners a mere burden of taxation. To such proprietors the example of the Judges will be a healthy stimulus.