Merit
ORDER OF, instituted in London, Jan. 26, 1902, by King Edward VII. to confer distinction on persons who have won prominence in science, army and navy, art, literature, and professional services, excepting political. The order consists of the sovereign and members, and initials, after the Bath, have precedence over all other knightly orders. Among distinguished men on whom the order was conferred were Lord Kitchener, Male College, Lincoln School, Meridian Admirals Seymour, Wilson, and Lord Female College, the Meridian Academy, Fisher, representing the navy. Sir Wilelectric lights, National and savings banks, and daily and weekly newspapers.
Meridian is in the heart of a rich lumber region which accounts for its large trade.
It has machine shops, cotton mills, and other manufactories. It was here, on Feb. 16, 1864, that General Sherman made "the most complete destruction of railways ever held." Pop. (1910) 23,- 385; (1920) 23,399.