Page:Eastern North Carolina Encyclopedia.djvu/37

 within the county to be reached by a short truck haul over improved sand-clay and hard-surface roads. Or if still larger markets are wanted railroads are equally convenient and eager to carry country produce to the big Eastern centers where they may be served to the consumer within eighteen hours from the time it leaves the farm. The tobacco farmer finds in Rocky Mount (half in Nash County) one of the best and biggest tobacco markets in the State. While it is not the largest market it always ranks either at the top or near the top in average price paid to the farmer. The cotton producer finds a ready market for his product in any of the several towns and cities in the county. Some of Nash's cotton is manufactured in the county, and this field of development is just being opened.

Tar River, winding down the full length of Nash County and up along its eastern border offers opportunities for water power that will soon be realized more fully by seekers of this form of power. Already there are several dams along this river, furnishing power for city lighting, flour mills, corn mills, cotton factories, and various electrical purposes. But there are many good dam sites still available to the investor that can be had at reasonable prices with a certain profit on the money expended.

The banking and general credit facilities of Nash are of the highest type, and are being developed by a splendid corps of men with a view towards service to the thrifty and needy citizen who will show himself to be worthy of trust and confidence. During the severe trials of the deflation period of 1920–21 when many good people were caught in the remorseless current of hard times, business failures and foreclosures were comparatively few in Nash County. And one of the big helps was the faith and confidence shown the people of Nash by the banks of the county. Many were the poor financial but good moral risks that the banks "Carried" through those trying years to finally rescue them from what would have been financial ruin had their bankers been of the "Shylock" variety. The bankers of Nash are ready and anxious to meet the homeseeker and the promoter who comes to them for aid and advice.

Here in Nash are to be found all the principal denominations of churches existing in the Southland. The newcomer is welcomed to all or any of them regardless of his creed. Sunday schools are numerous and well attended and are run along the most modern lines for this class of social and religious training.

In health work Nash is one of the pioneers of the State. It has enjoyed the benefits of a whole-time health officer, welfare officer, and a county nurse. A close watch is kept for epidemics, and an accurate record made of the vital statistics is available at all times to the public. For those unfortunate enough to be left destitute Nash has almost completed a County Home that can hardly be matched in the South. In architectural design, modernity of equipment, and comfort for the unfortunate Thirty-One