HOLLY SPRINGS

holly springs, a city and the county-seat of marshall county, mississippi, u.s.a., in the n. part of the state, 45 m. s.e. of memphis. pop. (1890) 2246; (1900) 2815 (1559 negroes); (1910) 2192. holly springs is served by the illinois central and the kansas city, memphis & birmingham (frisco system) railways. the city has broad and well-shaded streets, and a fine court-house and court-house square. it is the seat of rust university (opened in 1867), a methodist episcopal institution for negroes; of the mississippi synodical college (1905; presbyterian), for white girls; and of the north mississippi agricultural experiment station. the principal industries are the ginning, compressing and shipping of cotton, and the manufacture of cotton-seed oil, but the city also manufactures pottery and brick from clay obtained in the vicinity, and has an ice factory, bottling works and marble works. the municipality owns and operates its water-works and electric-lighting plant. holly springs was founded in 1837 and was chartered as a city in 1896. early in december 1862 general grant established here a large depot of supplies designed for the use of the federal army while on its march toward vicksburg, but general earl van dorn, with a brigade of cavalry, surprised the post at daylight on the 20th of this month, burned the supplies and took 1500 prisoners. holly springs was the home and is the burial-place of edward cary walthall (1831-1898), a democratic member of the united states senate in 1885-1894 and in 1895-1898.