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ROME, METROPOLIS OF THE MOUNTAINS.
Triumphantly Reclines ’Mid Its
Beautiful Hills.
GEMOF COMMERCIAL WORTH.
The Sun of Its Prosperity Is Advancing But
Still Far From Zenith.
THE HOME OF THRIFT AND PROGRESS.
The Centre of A Rich Agricultural and Mineral Country of
Untold Resources.
“Land of the South, imperial land,
How proud thy mountains rise!
How sweet the scenes on every hand! r
How fair thy evening sky!
But not for this, oh, not for these
I love thy field to roam.
Thou hast a dearer spell to me,
Thou art my native home.”
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It is not the intention of this article
to embellish with words, painting a pic
ture of a modern garden of Eden, to
■depict extravagantly the beauties of a
fairy land, that those at a distance who
may read these pages, may dream of a
paradise to which they are invited to
come and cast their lot. The day of
“boom editions” as well as of fairy
tales, is past, and what the people rs to
day want, is a plain statement of facts
and figures. These they should have,
and it is the purpose of this edition of
The Tribune to furnish just such
data.
For a number of years past, the atten
tion of the East and North, and of re
cent date, the West-, has been attracted
to the rapid development that has been
going on in the Empire State of the
South, and not a few communities at a
distance hpve beard of Rome and its
choice location in the galaxy of conn
ties that make up this commonwealth.
It is of almost daily occurrence that let
ters of inquiry concerning Rome and
Floyd county are received. The man
agement has endeavored to present in
these columns just such information as
is sought or could be desired by people
from every section of the country, and ’
at the same time disseminate among our
own people much valuable and interest
ing reading.
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Rome—the Hill City—is indisputably
one of the prettiest and most progres
sive cities of the South. The charming
scenes that are unfolded to the eye of
the visitor, are indellibly impressed
upon the memory, and being described
to friends in their distant homes, give a
wide notoriety to the city which is
modestly personified in the matter of
literature daily issued by the press.
Rome is a city that has never sought,
and in fact never had any but a legiti
mate growth, the outcome of the pro
duction of the surrounding country and
its unsurpassed natural advantages.
The city stands without a peer in
North Georgia ;the centre of trade and
commerce for a section unrivaled un
der the blue canopy of heaven. Daily
does it increase in wealth and ma
terial prosperity, and advances in
beauty and culture.
By the might of brain and brawn ,
by the energy of its public spirited
citizens; by trade; by study, is it
moving steadily onward; soon shall it
stand in a class with the largest cities of
the South and be known as a mam
facturing and trading city unsur
passed—a seat of learning, of art.
Already its workshops redound
with the cheerful sounds of industry;
its streets and suburbs are filled with
the work of rising houses; its schools
and colleges are crowded; its homes
and churches filled. The sun of its
prosperity is advancing, but still far
from the zenith. Its enterprises is
planning new forms of labor, and
new institutions of learning and
charity. Every appearance of modern
art and science is being brought into
use to the development of the surpass
ing resources, and it is looking for
ward, like an eagle pluming her
wings, for a higher flight, and a nob
ler career and a prouder station than
it has yet achieved.
Rome Up to Date.
Located in a land of productiveness,
whose flowers and plant flourish and
whose trees acquire the richest ver
dure, Rome is a place destined to be
come a great manufacturing and
wholesale city. It is a modern and
well governed municipality of 15,000
inhabitants.
While its people are principally of
Southern extraction, it is by no mean
a typical Southern city with its show
and go easy ways. It is a city of bus
tle and hustle, and in this respect more
nearly resembles Chicago than any
city of equal size in the South.
The improvement, that have been
inaugurated during the past decade
have placed the city in the front tier
of progressive American cities.
Rome is a commercial city built up
mainly by its trade in surrounding
counties and its rapidly developing
manufacturing interests. It is the
la’gest and healthiest city in this sec
tion of the state and possess more
wealth than any city of equal size in
Georgia.
Location.
The city of Rome is located in the
Northwestern part of Georgia, and is
the capital of Floyd county. It is most
advantageously located at the con
junction of the Oostanaula and Eto
wah rivers which at this point form
the Coosa, a fair size river navigable
for 250 miles below, and which at no
distant period will be open to the gult,
thus connecting Mobile and Rome by
water, adding much of advantage to
the city in the way of competing rates
between rail and water.
Rome is situated 73 miles northwest
of Atlanta, the capital of the state;
73 miles almost due south of Chatta
nooga, Tenn., and 197 miles Northeast
of Montgomery Ala. Being thus most
favorably located in Georgia, in the
very heart of the mineral wealth of
the state,-a state unsurpassed for
agricultural pursuits, whose, soils
yield abundant crops of cereals, cot
ton, fruits, and all other products pe
culiar to latitudes both North and
South, and whose mineral deposits are
richer in formation and more varied
in charactar than can be found in any
other state in the South—its future
growth and development cannot be
doubted.
Rome’s geographical position is such
that a more desirable situation for mer
cantile and manufacturing pursuits
could not, with reason, be asked.
Look to the vast territory tributary
to it—all rich in mineral wealth of un
told and inestimable value, its vast
fields of granite, marble, limestone in
inexhaustible quantities, its fields of
fine slate, deposits of iron, manganese
and bauxite, the latter especially which
are the largest in the world, and with
the development of the use of aluminum
will be the foundation of a great indus
try, of which Rome is certain to reap
the benefit.
The entire trade territory of the city
is teeming in rich and well cultivated
farms, and peopled by thousands whose
multifarious wants must be supplid, and '
whose products must be made available
for their needs through the most con
venient channels and the most profita
ble medium. Is it then wonderful that
Rome is destined to future greatness;
that it should advance steadily onward,
developing through the influences of its I
resources into the flower of perfect ma- j
turity and making complete its proud
destiny as a grandly proportion city, J
reflecting immeasurable credit upon its
own energetic and thoroughly progress- 1
ive people, and upon the entire state,
that will be shared in with pride by
every true public spirited citizen within
its boundaries?
But there are other features nec< 8-
sary to make assured the success of a
great city besides those mentioned.
Though its location be geographically
correct, and its resources as bounte
ful as the most exacting could wish,
of what avail would be its efforts to
reach an important place in the history
of commerce if it lacked the facilities
for
Transportation?
Happily for Rome it has no reason
to lament on this scorce. ‘‘All roads
lead to Rome,” and every point in the
THE ROME TRIBUNE, SOUVENIR AND TRADE EDITION.
great planting regions of Georgia,
Alabama, Tennessee North and So'uth
( Carolina are easily accessible by a
complete net work of railroads, aug
mented by boat transportation faci
lities on the rivers, thus bringing the
products of a vast area within the
trade territory of the city.
True, there is not an overproduc
tion of railways entering the citv,
but those that do, as can be seen by
the following, operate into all the
large cities of the South, North and
East,and traverse as fine and produc
tive lands as ever sun shined upon.
The roads entering the city are:
The Southern Railway, one of the
largest system of railways in the
world, and which penetrates every
southern state east of the Mississippi,
operating in nearly every large city of
tbeeouth: The Nashville; Chattanooga
and St. Louis railway, and the Chatta
nooga, Rome and Southern.
Financial Institutions.
Rome’s banking business is a strong
support of the mercantile and manu
facturing interests of the city, and
working in harmony with these inter
ests, in all their legitimate phases, each
appreciably influences at d pai takes of
the tone and methods of the other
Hence the banks of the city, like its
business enterprises, are noted for their
sound, energetic, yet conservative man
agement; command the confidence of
business men and capitalists, and hold
a high rank among like institutions of
the South.
Rome’s banks are: First Nat onal
Bank, capital and surplus $300,000;
Exchange Bank of Rome, capital SIOO
- and the Citizens’ Bank, capital
$50,000. The latter named bank was
recently organized, and will shortly
open its doors for business. In addition
to the capital paid in, the banks have
substantial funds in surplus and undi
vided profits.
A Trade Centre.
The city of Rome is most admirably
located for a trade centre. The sur
roundingcountry for a radius of fifty
miles, and including a number of towns
and villages of more or less note, is al
most exclusively tributary to the city in
most of the lines of retail business. Be
sides this, Rome as the chief city of this
section of the state is, of course, the
natural market for the principal part of
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GOVERNMENT BUILDING, POSTOFFICE,
the product of this region; thus a lane
amount of custom is drawn here to
swell the general aggregate of its an
nual retail business. Especially is this
applicable to the greatest staple of the
South—cotton—the city annually re
ceiving from 80,000 to 100,000 bales,
varying in value from $2,5000,000 to
$3,500,000.
Wholesale Trade,
The wholesale trade of Rome has
every necessary facility for doing busi
ness, having rail connections with all
parts, giving the city every advantage
in competition in freight. It also has
river transportation for many miles
above and below the city.
The enterprising merchants of the
south have not been slow to see the
advantages of Rome as a distributing
point. For groceries, hardware, dry
goods, notions, drugs, clothing and
shoes there is no better market in the
country than Rome. A large number
of commercial travelers are regularly
on the road representing Rome’s
wholesale houses, in sharp competi
tion with more popular and preten
tions cities, and they meet the prices
and hold the trade against all com
petitors. The wholesale trade now
occupies all the territory to which it is
rightfully entitled and in addition is
seeking new fields to conquor, and is
considerably encroaching on terri-
tory formerly controlled by other
centres.
Manufactures
It is an axiom, tribe but true, that
no city oau be permently prosperous
nor obtain a healthy growth without
manufactories. A city which de
pends upon any one or more of the
great agricultural staples for support
business and growth, is liab'e to be
come paraljz-*d in its energies and in
terest not only by failure in the pro
duction of such staples but from their
diversion t >other points where eligi
bility gives them the advantage and
preference,
Rome has and is making rapid pro
gress as a manufacturing city and
now has over thirty different manu
facturing industries, the most impor
tant of which are the cotton mills,cot
ton seed oil mill, planing mills and
sash, doorand blind factories, buggy
and wagon factories, compress, brick
works, furnance and iron works, tan
nery, scale works, packing manu
facturing establishments, furniture
and plow factories and stove works,
all of which are in a most, healthy
condition and doing a prosperous
bus’ness.
Health And Climate
The climate of Rome is all that
could be asked Situated as it is
among the mountains of Northwest
Georgia, a part of the famous Blue
Ridge range, the air ia more or less
of a mountainous nature, pure ?nd
embracing and free from im| urities,
thus enhancing Rome as a place of
residence, for health and climate.
The South is not a “hot country
with a sieklv climate,” as many north
ra peo. le have become egregiously
impressed.
True the summers are warm, but
they are warm elsewhere. Let a com
parison be made between the climate
of this section of Georgia and that of
the middle western statesand it will
be seen that the thermometer will
average from 5 to 10 degrees cooler
here than there. Sunstrokes in the
north are of daily occurrence during
the summer month. Here the doctors
would hardly know how to treat a I
like case from the lack of practice. |
Are not these self evident facts of J
the advan age of this climate, '
aside from the fact that the winter
months are of short duration and sel
dom does the thermometer go far be
low the freezing point except at ex
cel tlcnal periods.
No matter ho w hot the day generally
in the evening springs up a refresh
ing mountainous breeze which makes
the nights delightful and renders
sleep pleasant and refreshing.
‘‘Healtn is wealth,” and happily
for the people the many scourges that
so often are prevalent in large cities
seldom break out among the populace.
True the city has its sickness, all cities
do, but the attacks are generally of a
mild nature aud easily mastered.
Thus it can with all candor be
claimed, that Rime is one of the
healthiest cities of tbe South, with a
climate unrivaled elsewhere. Aside
from these oonditions, Rome has prog
ressed in sanitary drainage, and to
day invites comparison with other
cities of tbe South. There are in al l
about eight miles of drains, and the
system is being yearly extended.
Tbe general surface of tbe ground
upon which the city is built is of a
hilly nature, which in itself is such as
to render the surface drainage perfect
and in this respect Rome is to bp en
vied by its less favored sister cities of
the South.
Educational,
It may be taken for granted that a
city of enterprise aud culture, such as
Rome, has considered matters of edu
cation as of p-tmary imparlance, and
as a re u t th- publ c srh ,oh of the city
rank among th-flu-st in the state No
expenses have been spared in pe feoting
and dev. loping a system of schools in
the city which have found oompetmt
management and adequate support.
The school buildings are well built
and substantial structures, and are
■ quipp'd wi'h all modern appliances.
The bi st methods are employed and ap
pr iv«d apparatus and appliances are in
troduced hh rap div an is practicable.
Besides lie public s hot,ls. area num
bar of pr.v t- msti utious, the most im
pirtaritai.d p bJdythe finest female
c dirge in Georgia, is the Shorter col
lege. o' which a tu .re extended mention
is made elsewhere.
Genera ly speaking the .advantages of
(Con iuue on Page Seven )
JERVIS £ WRIGHT,
Dealers In Drugs, Medicines, Paints,
Oils, Etc, Broad and sth Ave,
The.drng trade is one which must
be operated by men of undoubted re
speetabilitj; by educated men who
are endowed with good judgment and
a thorough knowledge of chemistry.
Messrs. Jervis & Wright are entitled
to liberal notice among the progres
sive houses of the city. The establish
ment in its entirety is an eminently
well conducted one, the very best and
mo.-t accurate service being given in
the prescription department, and the
stock of goods frtsb and pure. The
stock consists of chemicals, drugs,
proprietary remedies, toilet articles,
perfumes etc., lubricating oils, glass,
garden se, ds, etc. The prescription
depart ment is in charge of Mr. Charles
T. Jervis, a graduate pharmacist and
ayt nng man of experience in this
particular line of business.
Mr. F. Carlton Wright is also an ex
perienced man in the drug business
and carefully watches every detail of
the busine-s. The co-partnership ex
isting was formed June Ist, 1896, and
their sue ess has been phenominal.
The enterprise of the firm is evidenced
by the interior arrangements of the
store which is superb.
Special attention is directed to the
magnificent soda fountain, where in
summer cold drinks are dispensed,
and in winter, hot soda, etc , is to be
had.
Both members of the firm have
always been identified with the growth
of the city and stand high in the com
munity, both socially and in business.
G G. BURKHALTER £ BRO.
Ginners and Dealers In General
Merchandise sth Ave,,
The firm of G. G. Burkhalter &
Bro., is widely kuown throughout the
county, on account of their enterprise
and honorable methods of transact
lug business.
They have been in the business
world for about eight years since
which time they have gained a wide
experience; since last January they
have been located at their present
place and are establishing quite a
patronage.
Their gin is a substantial one, fitted
throughout with tbe latest and most
improved machinery, everything is
first class and tbe scales have been
tested and made to the standard
United States weights.
The gin is the oldest established one
in the city and is the most conven
iently located. In addition to the
gin they operate a corn mill and du
custom work, also saw and manu
facture rough lumber and keep on'
baud a large stock, which in any
quantity will be delivered to all parts
of the city, at the lowest consistant
prices.
In the store a general line of mer
chandise is carried and when want
ing anything in any of the above
mentioned lines it will pay you to
give these gentlemen a call, where
satisfaction is guaranteed in every
department prompt and courteous
attention given to one and all.
L G, TODD
Dealer In Staple And Fancy Grocer/
ies, Fruits, Vegetables Etc,
The business under notice deserves
particular mention for two reasons:
First, the influence it has upon the
1 trade. Mid seffond,' the pronounced
' excellence of the stock carried, which
comprises everything necessary to
complete its line.
The store in its entirety is one
eminently well conducted, and has
sec-red a large share of the surround
ing patronage, Taken in all its phases,
the establishment of L G. Todd re
fleets credit alike upon its proprietor
and the community whose discrimi
nating patronage sustains it and con
stantly increases the business.
A large and superior stock is car
ried and embraces a full line of staple
and fancy groceries, produce, fruits
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Mr
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808
L G. TODD.
in seasons, a fine assortment of shelf
and bottled goods, provisions etc.
The line of teas, coffees, flour and
California canned fruits maple syrup,
imported sardines, fancy New Orleans
syrups, Olive oil, are especially
well selected and a noteworthy fea
ture.
The aim of the management has al
ways been to sell on close margins,
make quick sales and re-invest the
capital in new and fresh goods. Goods
are purchased in large quantities of
ten from first hands and bills dis-,
counted. By doing business on these
basis Mr. Todd is enabled-to keep in
the front rank of the low priced
houses of the city.
The business was established by L.
G. Todd four years ago and the an
nual sales have materially increased.
Indeed, the writer doubts that few if
any house in the city can show more
gross sales or a healthier condition of
finance.
Saturday is the busiest day of the
week. Itis on that diy this establish
ment is rushed with business and re
sembles much_the crowded condit.'on of
a New York store on Broadway.
The success of Mr. Todd will be read
with pleasure by his many friends. He
is a native of Rome, was reared in this
city and educated at the public schools
aud the North Georgia Agricultural
college. He obtained his business train
ing order his father, Mr. L. A Tcdd, a
man for many years identified with the
grocery trade of the city. Mr. L. A
Todd possesses fine business judgment,
and is an exceedingly shrewd buyer,
which department'~of the present busi
ness he has charge.
All orders, whether delivered in per
son or by ’phone, will be promptly and
accurately filled and delivered free of
charge to any part of the city.
If you need anything in his line and
have not tims to call in person ring up
174 and your wants will be given im
mediate attention.
S, M/ STARK
The Fashionable Tailor, Dougherty
Block, Second Avenue-
Well fitting garments in these mod
ern times have become more than ever
a necessity and the writer is conferring
a benefit on the readers in pointing
out an establishment where these are
to be obtained.
This place has always borne a high ’
reputation for promptness, fair deal
ing and excellence second to none. A
large and well selected stock of suit
ings, vestings, English, French and
domestic fabrics from the best looms
and all the favorite and serviceable
goods for gentlemen’s wear.
A competent force of experienced
workmen are employed and customers
are supplied with good fits and the
latest and most popular styles, at
prices which cannot be duplicated
for good honest work.
Mr. Stark established his present <
business in Rome about five years
ago, since which time he has built up
a large patronage, not merely a local
one, but a trade extending to many of
the surrounding towns. His stock is a
large one and should be seen to be
appreciated, Mr. Stark is a man of
keen business ability and is immensely
popular with everybody, and all
customers may be assured of pleasant
and coui teous treatment.