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ALBERTVILLE AND SAND MOUNTAIN.
RICH IN RESOURCES
Its Wonderful Recent and Rapid Df
velopment.
THE MEN WHO HAVE MADE IT
Its Future is Full of Hopeful
Promise.
PEOPLE WHO HAVE BOUT HOMES
Health and Happiness Abound
in That Glorious Region.
AN ELEVATED, BREEZY PLATEAU.
Flev n Hundred Feet Above the Sea Level
is the Attractiye Site of the New
Alabama Metropolis.
Perhaps there are comparatively
few people following agricultural pur
suits who give close study to all the
conditions which relate to the pecu
liar adaptation of the soil to the
growing of the various crops.
As a rule the matter of alti
tude, when taken in connection
with a particular kin 1 of soil, is very
rarely considered by the ordinary
farmer, or at least not given that due
consideration which the case de
mands For instance, it is almost
universally believed by the northern
farmers who have particularly inves
tigated the matter, that by reason of
the South lying in a lower latitude
it is not susceptible of successful cul
tivation to anything but corn and
cotton, and that the fruits raised in
the North, as well as a number of the
cereals, wheit, oats, barley, etc., can
not be profitably grown here. Not
only is this a mistake with reference
to the South generally, but especially
so with regard to particular locations
—locations in which not only the
cereals do equally as well, but where
almost every kind of fruit reaches a
higher grade of perfection than in
the North. Os the many locations in
the South peculiarly favored in this
respect, there is one section lying in
northern Alabama to which the wri
ter wishes here to call special atten
tion. It is destined, in a very short
time to be considered, as it really is,
one of the garden spots of this south
ern land. It is what is known here as
Sand Mountain, yet its name gives
not only no idea of the country, but
to those at a distance might be mis
leading. Sand mountain is not, in
the strictest sense a mountain at all,
but is a broad beautiful plateau lying
in the north-eastern portion of Ala
bama, and ranging for something over
a hundred miles from north east to
south-west. It has an average width
of probably thirty miles. This broad
plateau lies at an altitude of about
1,100 feet above sealevel, and, taking
this into consideration in connection
with the character of the soil and cli
matic conditions, there is perhaps no
place in the entire South more highly
favored than this region. It is just
now that this particular section is
becoming known as it should be to
the outside world, and people are be
ginning to flock in here from all direc
tions to take advantage of its great
opportunities. Not only does its high
altitude give it a superb climate, both
for ‘healthfulness and comfort, but
- there is no section of the country,
either North or South, where a greater
variety of crops can be profitably
grown, or where they reach a higher
degree of perfection. The most flour
ishing town situated on this fine
plateau is the thrifty town of Albert
ville, now entering on a new and
prosperous growth, and destined to
become at no distant day, one of the
important cities of the South. It lies
in the very heart of this magnificent
farming region, and is now drawing a
a splendid trade fromithe surrounding
country for a distance of twenty-five
or thirty miles. Nowhere that the
writer has visited in the South are
the merchants prospering to a greater
degree than here, and every new in
dustry that has been established here
has entered on a profitable business
from the start.
Although Albertville has been a
good trading point for several years
past, it is just now entering on a
rapid and newer development, and
every evidence points to it as the com
ing town of this section. When the
visitor first steps off at the depot and
walks up its principal street, he gets
the impression at once that he is in a
new and growing town. He sees bran
new buildings on every side and sees
others under process of construction.
Everything has the appearance of
business activity.
The streets are full of farm wagons
loaded with cotton and other products
and on every side is the busy hum of
trade. The town now has a popula
tion of about 1,100. What popula
tion it may have in a. few years, judg
ing from its favored location and rich
country, it would be difficult to fore
see accurately, but that it is destined
to overshadow all its competitors in
this section no one has the slightest
doubt.
LOCATION AND SURROUNDINGS.
The town lies on a beautiful plateau
with easy undulations, and has splen
did natural drainage. Around its
suburbs are fine stretches of native
timber of different varieties, giving
the town a charming and cozy ap-
pearance. As it lies at an altitude o>
1,100 feet the air is exceedingly pur<
and bracing, and such as malaria and
kindred diseases are never known
here. In fact, fhis is a most beauti
ful and healthful climate, free entirely
from that oppressive and stifling
atmosphere which characterizes many
lower altitudes. The soil on which
the town stands is of a sandy consis
tency and mud here is never
known. Not only through the streets
of Albertville, but for many miles'
around one has the most delightful
driving grounds and buggy-riding is
a real luxury.
BUILDINGS AND INDUSTRIES.
Although this is comparatively a
new town, yet there are quite
a number of very creditable business
buildings here, and others are in
course of construction.
There is a very good hotel here, of
which mention is made in another
column.
Among the industries here there is
a grist mill, a cotton gin, a planing
mill and a tannery. All these insti
tutions are in a flourishing condition.
Albertville offers a splendid field for a
number of other manufacturing
industries.
NEW INDUSTRIES THAT WILL PAY.
A canning factory would be one of
the finest institutions which could be
established here and would be profit
able from the start. Parties at a dis
tance who may contemplate entering
into this business will be interested in
knowing why "a canning factory
would pay here. Let us explain.
There is certainly nowhere in the
South or in the North for that matter
where fruits and vegetables do bet
ter than right here on Sand moun
tain. There are as fine apples grown
on this plateau as can be raised in
Michigan or Wisconsin. The trees
not only do well here growing strong
and vigorous, but the fruit itself
shows an excellent flavor. This is
equally true also of peaches, plums,
pears and the other kinds of fruit.
As to strawberries, raspberries, black
berries and all the smaller fruits,
there is no section in the world where
these can be produced in greater
abundance or of a higher quality.
Blackberries grow wild here in
great■ abundance, and thousands of
of bushels are gathered each year
and made into the finest of wines.
The visitor here can get at a number
of business houses in Albertville the
very best blackberry wine at five
cents a glass, and this from the native
vines growing without cultivation.
In short, this is without question
one of the best fruit regions in the
United' States, but so far the fruit
business is yet in its infancy, owing
to the fact that there has been, as
yet no good , available market. Yet
there are already sufficient fruits and
vegetables raised to put a canning
factory on a good paying basis almost
from the start, and with such an in
stitution established it would imme
diately encourage the fruit growing
industry, and the canning factory
would be an immense success. Veg
etables of every description grow
proliflcally here, and of the finest
auality. It has been stated by good
reliable parties that a single tomato
vine here has produced no less than
three bushels of tomatoes. Cabbages
turnip?, rutabagas, onions, as well as
peas, beans, etc., do splendidly here.
Grapes of the very finest quality
are raised here, and are a never-fail
ing crop. In brief this is a splendid
fruit country, and those who are
thinking of establishing a canning
factory, or who desire to go into the
fruit-raising industry, can find no
place superior to this fine section
around Albertville.
WOOD-WORKING ESTABLISHMENTS.
Any institution inthe wood working
line would be very profitable here,
and why? Because within a few miles
of Albertville, the very best of timber
is found, in abundance, such as white
oak, hickory, ash, poplar and other
varieties. Among those which would
pay here, would be a furniture fac
tory,chair factory, carriage and buggy
works, spoke and handle factory; in
fact anything in the wood-working
line. Besides factories of different
descriptions there are other kinds of
business needed here. This town has
as yet no bank, and there is no better
place in the South to establish one
than right here. A good bank is
needed, as an immense amount of
business is transacted in this lively
town. Especially is this so in the c6t
ton business, farmers bringing their
cotton here from a distance of thirty
miles, or more.
It would be impossible to enumerate
all the various industries which would
pay here, because with the natural
advantages which this town possesses,
coupled with its new development,
there is scarcely any kind of business
which could not be made profitable
here from the beginning.
CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
The town of Albertville is not be
hind other places of its size in the
matter of church privileges. A num
ber of the leading denominations are
represented here and the church build
ings, while not costly, are very com
modious and comfortable temples of
worship. They are well attended
also, as the people of Albertville are
not only moral and law abiding, but
are generally a church going people.
Albertville is particularly famed in
the matter of schools, for besides a
good free public school, the North-
East Alabama Agricultural College is
located here. This is an institution
which is not only of great material
benefit to Albertville, but which is
destined to be of great value to the
state at large. Although it has ac
complished much good already, yet it
has been established only two years
and has not received that full encour
agement by the state appropriation
which its now growing importance
demands. However, with the manner
in which it has been conducted under
the limited means at command, it has
fully demonstrated its usefulness, and
will not fail to receive from the state
that encouragement which it de
serves. ,
From a catalogue recently published
TRADE EDITION— ROME TRIBUNE. DECI MBEB. 1895,
some extracts are here given, from
which the reader can get a pretty fair
idea of the status and purpose of this
institution.
“The Alabama. Agricultural School 1
of the Seventh Congressional district, 1
is located at Albertville, Marshall'
county, Alabama, on the Nashville j
Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad, ,
between Guntersville and Gadsden, a|
section of country celebrated for its
healthfullness and beauty. No col
lege could have better natural sur
roundings—situated on a broad plat
form which on the north slopes to
the beautiful Tennessee; on the
east to the valley of the Coosa; on the
south to the headwaters of the War
rior, and on the west to Brown’s val
ley. This college was established by
the legislature, and is managed by a
board of control appointed by the
governor. The buildings are new and
splendidly ventilated. Located in the
middle of a campus of fifty acres,
filled with luxuriant trees and en
coached upon by no neighboring nuis
ance or crowded habitation, the air
comes to it pure and healthful The
sanitary surroundings cannot be ex
celled.”
The board of control is as follows:
H. D. Dane, of Montgomery, (commis
sioner of agriculture, ex-officio) J. L.
Paden, Gadsden, Sam Henry, Gun
tersville, W. H. McCord, Albertville,
H. 8. Simmons, Albertville, W. W.
Curry, Jr., Albertville, L. S. Emmett,
secretary, Albertville, Geo. M Raines,
treasurer, Albertville.
The above named gentlemen are all
men of influence and high standing.
The faculty consists of W V. Henry,
president, professor of physics and
political economy, W. F. Feagan, M.
E., professor of mathematics and di
rector of experiment station W. R.
Hanserd, A. 8.. professor of ancient
languagesand English; Miss Fannie
Cochran, A. M., principal of interme
diate department: Miss Morgan Bland,
B. S. principal of primary depart
ment; Miss Ida Henry, teacher of elo
cution; Miss Ella Jones, teacher of
art; Miss Louisa Hanserd, teacher of
music.
“the purpose of this institutiod is to
furnish young men and young women
such facilities as will; enable them to
make self-helpful and helping citi
zens. The course of study has been
carefully arranged to meet the de
mands for thorough and practical in
struction in every department. As
Prof. Henry has been engaged in edu
cational work in this country for sev
eral years, we can confidently trust
that his large experience may be a
sure guarantee of the value of his
methods and the efficiency of his
work.”
The work of this institution is di
vided into four departments—pri
mary, intermediate, preparatory and
collegiate, making in all ten grades,
two in each of the primary, interme
diate and preparatory, and four in the
collegiate department.”
In addition to the regular course of
study, elocution music and art are
also taught.
It will not be necessary to mention in
detail the full course of instruction in
the several departments It is enough
to state that the curriculum is exten
sive and those entering this institution
may obtain a good sound education,
fitting them thoroughly for the prac
tical duties and responsibilities of life.
The experimental station in connec
tion with the college is destined to
be of great value, giving to the
young men a practical training in
the broad fields of agriculture.
Under the able supervision of Prof.
Henry the college is reaching a high
state of efficiency and is rapidly grow
ing in patronage. The enrollment
the past season was 295, representing
eight counties. Those who are seek
ing to locate where their children
may receive the best of educational
advantages will Anti no place in the
south more highly famed in this res
pect than Albertville.
To those wishing to locate in a
new section and establish a home, one
of the first questions of importance is
that regarding its society. The very
fact that Albertville is favored in its
schools and churches, would be suf
ficient to give a fair index into the
character of her people. Th“ society
here is entirely free from any lawless
element. The citizens are law-abiding
and industrious and always give a
stranger to their little city a cordial
welcome.
CITY PROPERTY AND PRICES OF LAND.
Prices of land as well as city prop
erty are Still very reasonable, but
this city and section of county are
rapidly improving, and property, of
course is going up in value. Now is
the time to come to Albertville and
take advantage of the golden oppor
tunities offered.
Some portions of the county are
rich in minerals, especially coal. In
this connection mention should be
made of the fine coal mines just six
miles from Albertville near the Ten
nessee river owned by Mr. T. McCord
and W. N. Knight. These mines em
brace a body of land of 2240 acres,
and are in some respects exceptionally
favored, having a drift giving the
most excellent natural drainage. The
coal is easily worked, having a sand
stone top and soft bottom. It is of
excellent quality, being not only a
high grade steam and coking coal but
also burns finely in the grate for do
mestic purposes. The analysis shows
the highest grade in “fixed carbon” of
any coal mined in the state. It is all
down grade from the mines to the
river, thus giving it an easy and in
expensive outlet. This company also
owns several hundred acres of fine
farm lands close to the mines, con
sisting mainly of bottom lands. It is
hightly productive and will grow 60
bushels to the acre of corn.
The government has recently
opened up the river, makiqg it navi
gable to these mines all the year
round. These mines, in connection
with the excellent body of farmlands
attached, will, when fully developed,
be one of the most valuable properties
in Alabama.
Mr. T. McCord who is a prominent
business man of Albertville and now
mayor of the city, owns a great deal
of other valuable property. This is
the second term that he has occupied
the position of mayor, and he has
many friends and admirers in the city
and county. He is also proprietor of
the Marshall County News published
here, a bright, newsy sheet, which
gives its weekly budget of news to the
people of Albertville and community.
Mr. L. McCord a young man of prom
ise and ability gives close personal
supervision to the affairs of the paper.
The writer wishes to acknowledge
his debt of gratitude to both Mr. L.
and Mr. T. McCord for kind atten
tions shown him while in their little
city.
To the home seeker, the writer feels
that he is fully justified in saying that
for all its combined advantages,
there is certainly no newly develop
ing city or section of county in the
south, which will surpass the bright,
thriving little city of Albertville or
this magnificent portion of Sand
Mountain which lies tributary.
In a little while with the progress
now going on, this rich section, —rich
in all the natural advantages.—will be
made “to bloom and blossom as the
rose.”
In giving this description of Albert
ville, it may be of some interest to
those who may think of coming here,
to .learn something of the leading
men who first sought out this new
section and who now occupy the fore
most position toward the up-building
of this city and the advancement of
the interests of this community.
First among these may be men
tioned
MR. L. S. EMMET
who was in fact the actual founder
of Albertville. Mr. Emmet was born
in Hall county, Ga., in 1841. His
father who was formerlv from New
York, emigrated southward at an
early day and married a southern,
lady. Mr. Emmet received bis early
training in the common schools of his
native county, but his best education
was obtained in the practical affairs
of a business life. He was engaged
for a time in agricultural pursuits,
still later located at Gadsden, Ala.,
and from there removed to Marshall
county and located in what is now
the site of Albertville. This section
was then practically unsettled, and
then perhaps, to an ordinary ob
server, gave no evidences of its actual
possibilities on the rich future await
ing it. But Mr. Emmet, with an un
erring judgment and a remarkable
foresight as to what was to be its des
tiny, cut loose bis moorings from the
city of Gadsden and taking with him
his little family and his then humble
belongings, he made bis way to this
new section, and bravely began the
struggle of life under his newer condi
tions. But his judgment was not
mistaken. With plenty of pluck and
energy, and sustained by a devoted
wife and loving children, he set to
work to build for himself and them a
home. Need the stranger ask whe her
he succeeded? Go up into the business
portion of the ’town and in the busy
pare of the day, note where most
of the carriages and wagons are
standing and where the greatest stir
and bustle exist. Here you will find
the establishments of L. S. Emmet.
Enter his store, either the grocery or
dry goods department and you will
find it literally crowded with custo
mers. People came here from a dis
tance of thirty five miles to do their
trading with him. It is not only his
fine stock of goods, which brings 1 i n
patronage on so large a scale, but
also the character of Mr. Emmet as a
man of honor and strict integrity.
His word is his bond. This, combined
with industry, energy and good judg
ment has brought the success which
he now enjoys. Outside of his fine
store, he has also a cotton weighing
establishment and furniture store,
and owns very valuable property both
inthe city and country. He has a
very fine home here besides several
dwelling houses. In any movement
looking to the advancement of the
city or this section, Mr. Emmett takes
a foremost place and always aids with
a liberal hand. He has a very estima
ble family, standing high socially in
this town and community. To Mr.
Emmet’s foresight, his indomitable
energy, together with high public
spirit, much of the success and pros
perity of Albertville must be attrib
uted.
W. M. COLEMAN.
Mr. W. M. Coleman is another
prominent citizen of Albertville and
occupies the honorable position of
representative from Marshall county,
He is a native of this county, having
been born here in 1860. Mr, Coleman
had few advantages of education and
can be said to be a self-made man. He
had, however, some training in the
common schools, and combined with
close study on his own part, he has
gained that sound and practical edu
cation which best fits a man for the
actual battles of life.
Mr. Coleman was first chosen as rep
resentative from this county in 1892,
and was re-elected in 1894, thus show
ing the confidence placed in him by
the people. He was the author of the
bill providing for the establishment
01 the East Alabama Agricultural
school, now located here and of which
mention has been made in another
column. In 1881 he was connected in
marriage with Miss Bailey, daughter
of Hiram Bailey, a prominent planter
of this county. She is a lady of cul
ture, and both Mr. and Mrs. Coleman
stand high socially. Mr. Coleman
owns some very fine property here
and takes an active part in any en
terprise having for its object the up
building of this town or county. He
has given entire satisfaction in the
capacity of representative and his
name has been spoken of for the sen
ate.
PARKER & Co. I
This house is one of the leading
mercantile establishment of Albert
ville.
The firm carries a very full and
complete stock of general merchan
dise and is doing an extensive busi
ness. The firm of Parker & Co., has the
reputation of dealing squarely with
the public and the trade of the house
is constantly in the increase.
Mr. C. C. Parker, senior member.isa
ua.'iveof St. Rose.Florida.born in 1872
He received his early training party
in ills native state, but was brought
by his parents when young to Ala
bama and finished his education in
this State. His father, who was one
of the prosperous farmers of South
Alabama, died in 1882, when Mr.
Parker was but a boy of ren years old,
leaving him to make his way in life
through his own unaided efforts. He
entered his present business here in
1895, although this house has been es
tablished here for something like
twelve years.
Mr. Parker is one of Albertville’s
most public-spirited citizens and gives
liberally to enterprises of merit.
T. McCord.
Mr. McCord, present mayor of Al
bertville is among the town’s most
wide awake citizens a sketch of whom
appears in another column.
GOODWIN BROS.
This is one of Albertville’s enter
prising firms, and although the estab
lishment is not a large one, yet it is
receiving a very creditable patronage
and the prospects for the future are
exceedingly bright. They carry a
nice line of groceries, as also shoes,
stoves, lime, Christmas toys etc. The
personnel of the firm consists of J. L
and L. H. Goodwin.
They are both native sons, born in
this county and receiving the advan
tages of a good common school educa
tion. Mr. J. L. Goodwin is happily
married, and has been blessed with
two bright children.
He owns valuable property here,
and both himself and brother are lib
eral and enterprising.
w. w. CURRY.
Mr. W. W. Curry, is the proprietor
of the grist mill, gin and planing mill
here, and has been conducting his
present business here for the past
four years. This institution has been
of considerable Albertville
and the surrounding county.
Mr. Curry has been a resident of
JOHN H. REYNOLDS, President. B. I. HUGHES, Cashier
P. H. HARDIN, Vice-President.
FIRST NATIONAL BANK
ROME Gt-A.-
«-> A-PT'TAT, ATVTI SURFIjUS 0300,000
All Accommodations Consistent With. Safe Bankin? Ex
tended to Our Customers.
ZD- ZHZIZE-iL-
REAL ESTATEAGENT
230 BROAD ST.
Renting a Specialty and Prompt Settlement the Rule
R l . T3ZA.2STSOJST,
Plumbing, Ventilation, Steam, Hot Water I Gas Fitting
TINNING AND CORNICE WORK.
325 Broad Street, Rome, Georgia.
All work done under my personal supervision and satisfaction guw
an teed. Telephone No. 32.
FIVE YEAR LOANS
negotiated
On Choice Improved Farm Property,
AT REASONABLE BATE OF INTEREST.
For Terms apply to I. W. BAXTER CO.,
210 Norcross Building, Atlanta, Ga. , x
this county for fifteen years, having
corne here from Fayette county. Ga.
He is married, has a nice family and
owns a good farm eight miles from
town.
J. B. SMITH.
Mr J. B. Smith is conducting a
very creditable mercantile house in
Albertville, but owing to the pressure
of business the writer regret to say
that he was unable to secure data
which would give a clear idea of the
business interest of Mr. Smith How
ever, it can be said that he is one of
the town’s prominent merchants and
is liberal and enterprising.
ALBERTVILLE HOTEL.
The above named hotel is one which
does great credit to the town of Al
bertville. It is the only hotel in the
city and is a good two story building
of modern architecture, located in the
best business portion of the town. It
is conducted by Mr. Tom McNaron,
and is now in first class style. The
rooms are all comfortably, large and
well furnished and are kept scrupu
lously neat and clean. The dining
room is also commodious and light
and everything has a cleanly and
tasteful appearance.
It is not overstating the fact to say
that this hotel furnishes as fine a ta
ble as can be found in any two dollars
a day house in the State. Mrs. Mc-
Naron gives close personal attention
to the affairs of the house and every
convenience and comfort are provided
the guests.
Those who visit the town will find
this hotel an excellent place at which
to stop.
Mr. McNaron, in addition to conduct
ing the hotel, is connected as book
keeper, with the large mercantile
house of L S. Emmet of this town.
He has occupied this position credita
bly for the past four yeais. Mr. Mc-
Naron comes from Collinsville, Ala.
He received the advantages of a good
common school education and after
wards attended the Kentucky Uni
versity of Lexington, Kentucky, from
the business department of which he
graduated with honor.
Mrs. McNaron to whom be was mar
ried in 1892, was formerly Miss Lula
Emmet, daughter of L. S. Emmet, of
Albertville. She is a lady of culture,
having received a liberal education.
She attended the Centenary of Cleve
land, Tennessee, taking a two years
course in the department of art, and
became an adept in the field. Some of
her drawings show very high talent,
and one which was exhibited to the
writer is especially fine, being esti
mated by expert artists to be worth at
least SSOO.
Mr. and Mrs. McNaron have had
their union blessed with a bright little
baby girl just five months old. It is
the boss of the McNaron’s family and
makes its wants known sometimes in
a manner to convince the stranger of
the growing importance of Albert
ville.
The prospects of Mr. McNaron and
little family are bright for the future.
In concluding this account of Al
bertville and her hospitable people, it
may be said that not only does this
rich section of Sand Mountain offer
fine inducements to the home-seeker,
but the bright town of Albertville,
now entering on a new and rapid
growth, holds out equal inducement
to those who would establish for
themselves a beautiful and prosperous
home. Ritt.