Cotton Picking Season

The Memphis Commercial Appeal Mid-South Memories Saturday October 22, 2011 reported 125 years ago October 22, 1886 the following: “Cottenmen are confident now that Memphis will receive more than 600,000 bales of cotton this season.”  On October 22, 1911 the Commercial Appeal reported, “Business was unusually heavy on the river front yesterday.  Cotton from the HARRY LEE, which arrived from Ashport (TN), was being unloaded and opposite the Lee Line Wharfboat the staple was piled high.  Inside the (wharf) boat, freight practically filled it with just enough passageway left for the mule teams to pass in and out.”