History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 15

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756

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History .- The institution was first pro- jected by the Tennessee Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, at a session held at Athens in 1842. It was chartered by the Legislature of Alabama, January 9, 1843, as the "Female Institute of the Tennessee Annual Conference," with Alex- ander L. P. Green, Thomas Madden, Ambrose F. Driskill, Joshua Boucher, Frederick G. Ferguson, Daniel Coleman, Ira E. Hobbs, Benjamin W. Maclin, Thomas Bass, James F. Sowell, Thomas Stith Malone, James C. Ma- lone, William Richardson, George S. Houston, Richard W. Vasser, Jonathan McDonald and James Craig as trustees. It remained the property of the Tennessee Conference until 1870, when it passed under the control of the North Alabama Conference, organized in that year. The name was changed in 1872 to Athens Female Institute; and in 1889, to Athens Female College. The present name was adopted in 1915. The original charter limited the property which the institution could hold to $60,000; but, by an amend- ment of 1915, the amount was increased to $1,000,000.

The school opened in the fall of 1843 in the two story academy building above re- ferred to. The first president, Rev. Dr. Rich- ard Henderson Rivers, was a gifted educator and divine. He served acceptably for six years, and gave happy tone and direction to the ideals of Christian culture and education for which the institution stood. The first class, consisting of two graduates, received their diplomas in 1846. Rev .. F. G. Ferguson and wife were members of the first faculty. From 1849 to 1858 the school had four presi- dents. From 1858 through the entire War period and for two years afterward, its head was the accomplished Mrs. Jane Hamilton Childs. During the four years of war and while Athens was often occupied by Federal soldiers, its property was never damaged, nor its privacy intruded upon. Classes were reg- ularly graduated every year.

Buildings .- The lots on which the main building was erected were acquired from Thomas Maclin, Ben W. Maclin, Thomas H. Hobbs and Rebecca Hobbs as a practical gift, although the deed, dated February 8, 1843, recites a nominal consideration of $100. An- other tract, known as the north campus, was given by Robert Beaty. Since 1822, on the latter tract an institution, known as Athens Female Academy, had been in operation, housed in a large two-story frame building. On the incorporation of the institute the academy was discontinued.

The first building was erected in 1843 and 1844. It was built by popular subscriptions, at a probable cost of about $40,000. The plans were drawn by Gen. Hiram H. Higgins, the woodwork was done under the superintend-

ence of Ira E. Hobbs, and brick work, under James M. Brundidge. The historian of the college, Miss Mary N. Moore, says:

"One indisputable evidence of the char- acter of all of these individuals shines forth in the splendid old building now known as Founders' Hall, which still graces the college campus. The beautiful classic outline of this building, unmarred as it originally was by any touch of incongruous architecture, fur- nishes evidence of the integrity to architec- tural ideals of the one who drew the plans, while the massive brick walls, twenty-four inches thick, with all partition walls of solid hrick, are additional evidence of the sturdy integrity of the builder."

Finances .- Until 1893 practically the sole support of the school was the tuition, dormi- tory and other fees received from pupils. The original buildings had been erected by private donations, and kept in repair, partly from similar sources, and from the fees. The salaries of the president and faculty were met from fees, the former assuming responsi- bility for payment. The furniture and equip- ment was regarded as the property of the presidents for the time being, and which they usually removed or disposed of on the con-

clusion of this service. A plan existed from the beginning whereby the presidents paid to the trustees 6 per cent or the total re- ceipts from tuition fees. This was expended for repairs and general upkeep. Such a sys- tem or rather lack of system could not in the nature of the case, ever succeed in build- ing a permanent institution.

In 1893 the North Alabama Conference made its first annual assessment of $500 for the college. From time to time larger plans have been projected, until at the session of the Conference in 1914 an endowment cam- paign for $100,000, and for $25,000 to meet certain outstanding obligations, was author- ized. Financial agents, whose names are accessible, with the first year only of their service, are Rev. Fielding H. Harris, 1845; Rev. Dr. M. G. Williams, 1888; Rev. Dr. John B. Gregory, 1891; Rev. John W. Norton, 1894; Rev. R. A. Thompson, 1902.

Presidents, Board of Trustees .- Judge Daniel Coleman, 1843-1857; William Rich- ardson, 1857-1867; George S. Houston, 1867- 187 -; John Tanner, 1879-1892; Benton Sanders, 1892-1896; W. T. Sanders, 1896 -.

Presidents .- Rev. Dr. Richard H. Rivers, 1843-1849; Rev. Dr. Benjamin Hubbard, 1849-1852; Rev. Smith W. Moore, 1852-1853; Rev. Isham Finley, 1853-1855; Prof. George E. Naff, 1855-1858; Mrs. Jane Hamilton Childs, 1858-1867; Rev. James M. Wright, 1867-1873; Rev. James K. Armstrong, 1873- 1877; Prof. C. Lozo Smith, 1877-1883; Dr. Wm. A. Rogers, 1883-1884; Mrs. Lila Thoch, protem, 1884; Rev. Dr. Marcus G. Williams, 1884-1892; Dr. Howard Key, 1892-1893; Rev. Dr. Virgil O. Hawkins, 1893-1895; Rev. Dr. Zach A. Parker, 1895-1898; Dr. H. W. Browder, 1898-1900; Rev. Hiram G. Davis, 1900-1902; Rev. Dr. E. M. Glenn, 1902-1904; Miss Mary Norman Moore (now wife of

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

Bishop James H. McCoy), 1904-1916; Rev. B. B. Glasgow, 1916 -.

REFERENCES .- Miss Mary N. Moore, History of Athens College (1916) ; Acts, 1842-43, p. 86; West, History of Methodism in Alabama (1893), pp. 631-633; Catalogues, 1887-1917; Calendar, 1912; The Oracle (annual) 1908-1914, ill .; The Athenian (periodical ) 1904-1910; Maid of Athens, ill., 1914-1915.

ATHLETICS. Systematized play or sport, so planned as to bring about improved physi- cal development, as well as the encourage- ment of contests through organized games. In pioneer times the physical exercise de- manded in exploration, tne clearing of forests, the planting, tilling and harvesting of crops, and other labors of the field and farm, and in the chose, practically absorbed all of the energies of both young and old. And yet throughout the colonial and pioneer periods, contests of physical strength and prowess very generally obtained among all classes. Among the Indians the "ball play" and the "chunkee game," elsewhere described, were the favorites, and indeed practically the only forms of vigorous physical exercise among the aborigines, in which the element of play entered. Among the early settlers. there were such games as running, jumping, wrestling, climbing, and lifting. Among boys town ball, hide and seek, chasing the fox, jumping the rope and bull pen obtained. At times the physical strength of the men, and indeed whole communities, were put to the test through brawls and free-for-all fights. On election days, court days, sales days, and sometimes at camp meetings and other re- ligious gatherings, such fights would take place. The wealthier young men engaged in such sports as riding, horse racing and fox hunting. The Confederate war period found a vigorous and healthy manhood ready to en- list in the ranks for the defense of the con- tentions of the south and southern leaders, and their endurance, under conditions of the most trying and discouraging character, for 4 weary years, in which they were often half fed and half clad, indicates their physical preparation and equipment.

However, the employment of physical ex- ercise for the purpose of keeping the body fit and in health was of later development; and it was not until within the last 40 years that athletics, as at present commonly under- stood, found a place in the life of the state. The dates are uncertain, since the growth of interst in the subject was so gradual as to practically leave no trace of beginnings. Base- ball in its new form found a ready place in all the schools, and was the first of the so- called professional and intercollegiate games introduced. Just when league games came to be regularly played in Alabama has not been ascertained, but Birmingham, Mobile and Montgomery have been league towns for at least a quarter of a century.

Athletics at the University .- In its present form athletics at the University of Alabama has had its development since 1887. Prior to that time students received their physical

training from service in the corps of cadets. All students not physically disabled were en- rolled in one of the other of the cadet corps, and were required to do regular military duty, including daily drill. Dr. Eugene A. Smith is authority for the statement, however, that very soon after the reorganization of the Uni- versity in 1871, baseball aroused the interest of the students, who early caught the con- tagion of the great national game. Dr. James K. Powers, later president of the University, was captain of a baseball team during the first session after reorganization. During the period from 1872 to 1884 several clubs were organized. In 1878 a record is preserved of the Hiawatha, the Pastimes, and the Cal- hounians. Games were played under the Spalding rules. It appears that match games about this time were played in Tuscaloosa, Livingston, Selma and probably other points. The "curved ball" was brought to the Uni- versity by the present Judge Adrian S. Vande- graaff from Yale. In 1884 on commencement day the Varsity nine played the Pastimes on the campus, winning by a score of 28 to 2. The following day Varsity went to Birming- ham and played the local team there, with a score of 15 to 0 after five innings, during which not a Birmingham player reached first base. In the fall of 1889 Hugh Morrow be- came pitcher of the University team, and in that capacity he served until 1894. Dr. Smith, above quoted, states that he was the greatest pitcher the University ever had.

Modern football at the University was in- troduced in 1893, with the organization of a team by William G. Little of Livingston, of which he was captain, and F. T. Bush man- ager. Of the old form of play Dr. Smith says: "Previous to that time the students played a game of football amongst themselves very differently constituted, for they chose sides and kicked the ball about over the campus. The ball was not touched by hand, and the side won which could force the ball perma- nently into the opponents' territory. Natur- ally there were many casualties resulting from this style of play, but they were never serious, being only in the form of barked shins." During the seasons of 1893 and 1894 no games were won by the University from other college teams.

Track athletics dates from 1888. In that year a third of a mile cinder track was built. The first track contest in an annual field day exercise was with Tulane University, in which that institution won all events. Basketball was first played in 1903. About that time, or a little later, the first co-ed basketball team was organized. Details of tennis are not available, but a list of tennis players are to be found in the Corolla for 1892. Consider- able interest has been shown in cross-country running, in which the University has had many successes.

Other Institutions .- In Howard College, Southern University, Birmingham College, Spring Hill College, Marion Institute and many other state, denominational and private institutions, well equipped gymnasiums are provided. These aids to physical development

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

are not, however, confined to higher institu- tions, but numbers of high schools and smaller private institutions notably in the larger cities are so provided. Similar equip- ment will be found at the Alabama Girls' Technical School, Athens College, Woman's College of Alabama, and also in numerous other institutions devoted to the education of women. In many cases swimming pools have been opened, as at Athens College and Woman's College. Many inter-collegiate state games are played during the season, including baseball, football and basketball. From the smaller institutions the larger are recruited, and many stars on varsity teams first had their inspiration and preliminary preparation in old field schools, in high schools and academies.

Y. M. C. A. Athletics .- With the establish- ment of Young Men's Christian Association headquarters or rooms, one of the first of the many activities engaging these organiza- tions was the equipment of gymnasiums. Of course the character and extent of such equip- ment were dependent upon the strength of the several organizations. However, even in rented quarters, Y. M. C. A. boards have al- ways provided some form of physical exer- cise, and have otherwise emphasized the importance of physical development. In the associations at Birmingham, Mobile and Montgomery physical directors are provided.

Athletic Clubs .- In the larger cities and towns athletic clubs, with more or less pre- tentious quarters, and in some cases in hand- some separate buildings, clubs are organized, having as their purpose the encouragement of organized sport, and the control of con- tests in their localities. The Birmingham Athletic Club is an admirable example of a well planned and well conducted club of this character. In some localities there are privately maintained athletic quarters, whose promotors not only afford the opportunity for physical training for young men, professional and non-professional athletes, but who con- duct contests in their localities in the absence of regularly organized clubs.

Southern Inter-collegiate Athletic Associa- tion .- This associaton was formed in Atlanta, December 22, 1894. Some of the valuable results from organization were the definition of professionalism, provision for a tribunal to determine contests, the trial of players, the organization of games, etc. Its individual members are scattered throughout the south. The Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Howard College and the University of Alabama are members of the association.

ATLANTA AND ST. ANDREWS BAY RAILWAY COMPANY. Chartered under the general laws of Alabama, February 14, 1906; and also under the laws of Florida. The road extends from Dothan, Ala., to Panama City, Fla .; mileage operated June 30, 1915- main track and branches, 84.38, side tracks, 6.00, total, 90.38; mileage operated in Ala- bama-main track, 16; capital stock author- ized-common, $1,000,000, no preferred stock; actually issued, $300,000; shares,

$100, voting power, one vote a share; and funded debt, $850,000. Practically the en- tire stock of this company is owned by the Enterprise Lumber Co. The company has trackage rights over the road of the St. Andrews Bay Railroad & Terminal Co. from Panama City to St. Andrews, Fla., a distance of 2.38 miles. It connects at Dothan with the Central of Georgia, and the Atlantic Coast Line railroads, and with the L. & N. Railroad at Cottondale, Fla.

REFERENCE .- Annual report to Ala. Public Service Commission, 1915.

ATLANTA, BIRMINGHAM AND AT- LANTIC RAILWAY COMPANY. Chartered August 10, 1914, under the general laws of the State of Georgia, and represents the consolidation of several other railroad com- panies as noted below; mileage operated June 30, 1915-main track and branches, 642.22, side tracks, 177.56, total, 819.78; mileage operated in Alabama-main track and branches, 154.03; capital stock authorized and outstanding-$30,000,000; shares $100; voting power, one vote a share .- Annual Re- ports of Company to Ala. Public Service Com- mission, 1915 and 1916.

The Atlanta, Birmingham & Atlantic Rail- road Co. was chartered April 20, 1905, in Georgia, for the purpose of building an ex- tension of the Atlantic & Birmingham Rail- way from Montezuma, Ga., to Birmingham, Ala., about 261 miles. The road was com- pleted as far as Talladega by October 1, 1907, and to Pelham, September 6, 1908, and on the same date trackage, passenger and freight terminal rights were leased from the Louis- ville & Nashville Railroad Co. (q. v.) between Pelham and Birmingham.

On April 12, 1906, the Atlanta, Birming- ham & Atlantic Railroad Co. consolidated, without change of name, with the Atlantic & Birmingham Railway Co., a Georgia corpora- tion, and about the same time it acquired control of the Alabama Terminal Co. whose terminal facilities in the city of Birmingham it still uses. On July 1, the Eastern Rail- way of Alabama, extending from Stockdale to Pyriton, 19.8 miles, was conveyed by deed to this company from the Louisville & Nash- ville Railroad Co. With this road, the A. B. & A. acquired the lease held by the Eastern Railway of Alabama on the Alabama North- ern Railway, between Pyriton and Ashland, 7.15 miles. On July 1, 1907, the Alabama Northern Railway was purchased by the A. B. & A., payment being made in stock and bonds of the latter. On July 1, 1909, default was made on interest payments on the com- pany's bonds, and H. M. Atkinson and P. S. Arkwright were appointed receivers on Jan- uary 2, 1910. On March 19, S. F. Parrott was appointed coreceiver to succeed P. S. Arkwright, resigned. Because of Mr. Par- rott's death, H. M. Atkinson was appointed sole receiver on September 28. Later S. L. Schoonmaker was appointed coreceiver. In 1913 E. T. Lamb was made sole receiver. The extension of the road from Pelham to Birmingham was completed and opened for

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

traffic May 22, 1910. This completed the line from Brunswick, Ga., to the Birmingham dis- trict as originally planned, and the contract with the L. & N. Railroad Co. for trackage rights between Pelham and Birmingham and the use of its terminal facilities in Birming- ham was thereupon terminated.

On July 5, 1913, Judge Don Pardee, of the Federal Court in Atlanta, Ga., upon petition of the Old Colony Trust Co., Boston, Mass., trustee of the first-mortgage bondholders, ordered foreclosure and sale of the property of the A. B. & A. Railroad Co., Georgia Termi- nal Co., and the Alabama Terminal Co. The sale was made on June 5 and 6, 1914, and the property of the three companies was bid in by Martin D. Wylly and Frederick Beltz- $4,641,000 for the A. B. & A. Railroad, $123,- 500 for the Georgia Terminal, and $715,000 for the Alabama Terminal, the sale subject to all existing charges and obligations. The court reserved the right to resume possession of and resell the property if the terms of the sale were not complied with. The purchasers reorganized the company under the name of the Birmingham & Atlantic Railway Co. in August, 1914, but later notified the court that, on account of financial conditions, they were unable to complete the purchase. Ac- cordingly, on December 1, Judge Pardee, again placed the property in the receivers' hands who operated it for the bondholders until December 30, 1915, when the purchasers finally complied with the terms of the sale, and the court ordered the delivery of all the properties of the three companies to the At- lanta, Birmingham & Atlantic Railway Co. at midnight, December 31, 1915. The combined properties have been operated by the reorgan- ized company since the last-mentioned date.

REFERENCE .- Poor's manual of railroads, 1905, et seq.

ATLANTIC COAST LINE RAILROAD. Chartered in Virginia, March 14, 1836; mileage operated June 30, 1915-maln track and branches, 5,029.37, side tracks, 1,145.07, total, 6,174.44; mileage operated in Alabama -main track and branches, 247.61, side · tracks, 48.65, total 296.26; capital stock authorized-common, $100,000,000, no pre- ferred stock; actually issued, $68,754,700; shares, $100; voting power, one vote a share; and funded debt, $136,493,135 .- Annual Re- port of the Company to Alabama Railroad Commission, 1915.

The history of this company in Alabama began with its absorption of the Savannah, Florida & Western Railway Co., (known as the Plant System,) on July 1, 1902. The latter was organized on November 26, 1879, by the purchasers of the old Atlantic & Gulf Railroad Co., of Georgia, which had been sold under foreclosure on November 4, 1879.

In July, 1890, the Plant Investment Co., which controlled the Savannah, Florida & Western, acquired a controlling interest in the Alabama Midland Railroad Co. The last- named company was chartered under the Alabama general laws in March, 1887, and In Georgia in October. The two companies

were consolidated October 22, 1888, and the entire line from Bainbridge, Ga., to Mont- gomery, Ala., 175 miles, and a branch from Sprague Junction to Luverne, 33.5 miles, were completed. Upon its purchase by the "Plant System," the Alabama Midland was merged with the Savannah, Florida & West- ern Railway.

On September 2, 1901, the latter company purchased and consolidated into its system, the Southwestern Alabama Railway Co., chartered in 1897 for the purpose of building a railroad between Newton and Elba, 37.22 miles. The road was opened throughout in October, 1898. The company was a subsidiary of the "Plant System" from the first and never owned any rolling stock.

The Savannah, Florida & Western Railway Co. was merged with the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co. on July 1, 1902, as shown above. In October of the same year the new com- pany arranged to obtain the control of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Co. (q. v.), by the purchase of $30,600,000 of its capital stock for the sum of $50,000,000. The pur- chase was completed February 14, 1903, pay- ment being made, $10,000,000 in cash, $5,000,000 in Atlantic Coast Line common stock, and $35,000,000 in Atlantic Coast Line 4 per cent 50-year gold bonds.

With the Savannah, Florida & Western, the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co. acquired the old Abbeville Southern Railway, between Grimes and Abbeville, 26.9 miles. This com- pany was chartered under general laws of Alabama, September 27, 1892, and opened its road, December 1, 1893. On September 2, 1901, the road was merged into the Savan- nah, Florida & Western, as shown above.

The Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Co. and the Louisville & Nashville Railroad Co. are joint lessees of the Georgia Railroad (q. v.).

REFERENCES .- Poor's manual of railroads: Atlantic Coast Line R. R. Co., Annual reports, 1903-1915.

ATMORE. Post office and incorporated town, in the southwestern corner of Escambia County, on the main line of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. Altitude: 281 feet. Population: 1910-1,060. It was settled in 1870, and incorporated in 1907, under the general municipal code. The corporate lim- its extend 134 miles north and south and 112 miles east and west.

The town has electric lights, sewerage sys- tem, and waterworks. The First National Bank, and the Bank of Atmore (State), take care of the financial interests of the com- munity. The Atmore Record, a Democratic weekly newspaper, established in 1903, is published there. Its industries consist of an Ice plant, electric-light plant of the Carney mills, and the Carney lumber plant, capacity 75,000 feet daily. More than 100 car loads of strawberries and peaches are shipped an- nually from Atmore. Besides the city public schools, it has the Escambia County High School. Its churches are the Methodist Episcopal, South; Baptist; and Episcopal.

Previous to the coming of the railroad, the

HISTORY OF ALABAMA

locality was settled by William L. Williams, whose establishment was situated at the crossing of the Monroeville and Pensacola, and the Brewton and Bay Minette public roads. Upon the completion of the railroad, the station was called Williams Station in honor of the first settler. In 1895, the name was changed to Atmore, for C. P. Atmore, general passenger agent of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad.

Although of comparatively recent develop- ment, the town of Atmore is in historic country. Nearby is a small Indian reserva- tion on which there are still about 45 Indians. The former home and the grave of the famous Indian chief, William Weatherford, are on Little River across the line in the northern part of Baldwin County.

REFERENCES .- Northern Alabama (1888), p. 235; Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1915.

ATTALLA. Post office and incorporated town in the central part of Etowah County, sec. 3, T. 12, R. 5, E., on the main lines of the Louisville & Nashville, Alabama Great Southern, and Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis railroads, 21/2 miles west of Alabama City, 5 miles west of Gadsden, 195 miles west of Atlanta, Ga., 55 miles southwest of Rome, Ga., 92 miles south of Chattanooga, Tenn., and 69 miles north of Birmingham. It is on the Huntsville and Tuscaloosa public road; and is situated on the plateau of Lookout Mountain, at its southern extremity, and within 5 miles of the Coosa River. Altitude: 530 feet. Population: 1872-300; 1888- 400; 1912-2,513; 1916- 4,000. The Mer- chants' & Farmers' Bank (State), and the Attalla Bank (State) are located in the town, and the Attalla Herald, a Democratic semi- weekly newspaper, established in 1888, is published there. Its industries are a pipe plant; hosiery mills; 50 coke ovens; 2 cotton ginneries; 2 cotton compresses, one operated by electricity; 2 marble yards; a foundry; 2 stave and heading mills; 1 cottonseed oil mill; 1 grain and mixed-feed mill; ore and coal mines; marble and sandstone quarries; ice plant; waterworks; and electric light and power plants owned by the city, but leased to and operated by the Alabama Power Co., at Gadsden.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 15

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869- Publication date: 1921 Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company Number of Pages: 756

Author: Owen, Thomas McAdory, 1866-1920; Owen, Marie (Bankhead) Mrs. 1869-
Publication date: 1921
Publisher: Chicago, The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 756