This text was obtained via automated optical character recognition.
It has not been edited and may therefore contain several errors.

---

:.3-
TJ
-.-ft
MEXICAN GULF COAST ILLUSTRATED.
41
Grove does not suffer in comparison with any other place on the Coast. Another thing-which deserves mention—and is remarkable—in the region between Mobile bay and the Pascagoula river, tornadoes, cyclones, or hurricanes and hail storms are unknown. Nor has the slightest tremor of a subterranean disturbance ever occurred. Such at least is the testimony of those born and reared there, some of whom have reached their three score years and ten. There are a goodly number of fruit farms and plantations around Orange Grove. Two of the well-known growers and shippers have given on preceding pages their testimony in relation to growing the products which flourish and are profitable in this favored locality. Mr. J. K. Murray, proprietor of the Gulf Coast Nursery at Orange Grove, is a very successful grower of fruit and vegetable products. Mr. J. H. Howland and Mr. W. J. Parker, have, in a marked degree, demonstrated the wonderful capacity of this section for this industry. Mr. W. E. Strock has a valuable fruit farm near by. A visit to his pear orchard, peach orchard, orange and pecan groves furnishes evidence of the most satisfactory character of the adaptation of land and climate to the growth of these and other vegetable products. One of the most active, energetic and progressive men there, or for that matter on the Coast, is Mr. Jesse H. Jackson, engaged in merchandising, to whom the writer hereof is under obligations for valuable information.
SCRANTON AND THE PASCAGOULAS
The thriving town of Scranton, the county seat of Jackson county, is one of a group of points within a radius of five or six miles, which embraces the most important plants for the manufacture of lumber in the Southern States. The mills are at Moss Point (where the greatest number are situated), Scranton and West Pascagoula. Most of them are of large capacity and the output annually, is immense. The product is sought, from every point of the compass. Orders are received from all parts of the United States east of the Rocky Mountains, from the West Indies, South America, Great Britain, France and Germany, from both shores of the Mediterranean Sea and far Natal. The rivers here reach the sea from the heart of the vast long-leaf pine region—a belt of timber from fifty to one hundred and fifty miles broad.
Scranton owes its origin to the location of the railroad line a mile or more from the margin of the sea. Population and business centered at the station and Scranton grew apace. Its court house is a fine brick building accounted one of the finest in Mississippi. In its vicinity are a number of
J: