Fine Springs, Rudy Township
The following article was transcribed and donated
by Fran Warren
June 21, 1890
RUDY TOWNSHIP
Fine Springs, June 16, 1890
Editor of Press:
A few days sojourn in this elevated region, renowned for its salubrious
climate, magnificent scenery, fine health and splendid springs,
have a
tendency to awaken a disposition to share with others the interest
thus
awakened, hence these few thoughts:
Fine Springs-so called from a numerous family named Fine residing
in the
vicinity-are situated in Section 18, Township 10, North of Range
30 West, 5
miles north of Alma and 2 ½ miles N. E. of Rudy Station
on the Frisco. The
soil though poor seems to return to the husbandman a fair yield
for the
outlay of labor and money. The residents all seem to be in good
living
circumstances with a cash balance in their favor. The products
are corn,
cotton, wheat and oats. People are beginning to turn their attention
to the
strawberry crop and to stock raising. Such a diversity will undoubtedly
add
to the farmer's hoard, increasing his prosperity. Mr. William
JAMES is one
of the thrifty, well-to-do farmers, and a stockman. He has recently
erected
a residence- a very imposing structure- of 8 rooms and a basement
story.
This residence is splendidly ventilated and constructed with a
view to
comfort and convenience. Mr. JAMES is the architect, and did much
of the
stone work with his own hands. He is a Democrat "from who
laid the ralis"
as the boys say. Upon one occasion a stranger came into the country
on a
tour of inspection; after interrogation Mr. JAMES to his satisfaction
he
started on, when he was arrested by Bill's piping tones, "Say,
stranger, I
don't know what your politics is, but if you ain't a Democrat
you had better
be in H-than to come here." That, of course, stamps Bill
as an Orthodox
Democrat. Long may he wave.
I have also had the pleasure of meeting and forming the acquaintance
of
another of nature's noblemen, that staunch old Democrat and brave
old
soldier of the Confederacy, Capt. Jack WINFREY. Though somewhat
bent with
age and infirm from exposure, his mind and memory are good, and
he can
entertain you for hours with hair-raising stories of his own exploits
during
the war. There is not the slightest suggestion of the braggart
about him,
but his manner and style impress you with the idea that every
word he utters
is true, and also that he was one of the bravest and most enthusiastic
of
patriotic spirits who followed the fortunes of the "Lost
Cause". His time is
now taken up watching his son Eddie, who had been quite ill for
the past two
weeks, but I am happy to say is now convalescent. I have known
Capt.
WINFREY, from reputation, for 25 or 30 years, but never had the
pleasure of
meeting him before; I regret that I did not meet him earlier.
There is a
great many old land-marks in this country of whom honorable mention
might be
made, but time and space forbid. A recent acquisition to the neighborhood
is
Dr. James H. SPENCER. He was reared at Charleston, Franklin County,
and is a
graduate of the University of Louisville, Ky. Endowed with a good
natural
sense, a collegiate education, sober and industrious in his habits,
he will
be an accession that any neighborhood might be proud of. Pioneer.