History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 29

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

USA > Alabama > History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I > Part 29

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Incorporation .-. The "city" of Birmingham was incorporated by the legislature, Decem- ber 19, 1871. The charter declared that "all the territory within three thousand feet of the Alabama & Chattanooga Railroad, on each side of the same, extending from twenty- sixth street in said city to the eastern boundary of the city of Elyton, is hereby declared to be within the limits of said cor- poration." Au unusual feature of the charter was the provision that the mayor and seven aldermen should be appointed by the governor instead of being elected by the people of the city. This provision was put into the act of incorporation, it is said, to prevent the control of municipal affairs from getting into the hands of the reckless and undesirable element which predominated at that time among the town's inhabitants.

By an act of February 26, 1872, the cor- poration was empowered either to "establish and erect gas works for lighting said city with gas, and water works for supplying said city with water," or "to contract with any person or association of persons or corpora- tion to light said city with gas and supply said city with water."

The first mayor was Robert H. Henley who was appointed by Gov. Robert B. Lindsay, and took office, December 21, 1871. The first board of aldermen was composed of James B. Francis, B. F. Roden, W. J. Mc- Donald, A. Marre, J. B. Webb, John A. Milner, and T. S. Woods.

County Seat .- On March 5, 1873, the legis- lature authorized an election to be held in Jefferson County on the first Monday of the following May, to determine whether or not the county courthouse should be moved from Elyton to Birmingham. The decision was in favor of Birmingham, by a large majority, and it has continued the county seat until the present time. The county now has a magnificent courthouse, in keeping with the importance of the city, at the corner of Third Avenue and 21st Street.

Churches .- The first church edifice com-

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pleted in Birmingham was the Church of the Advent, Protestant Episcopal, which was oc- cupied in the spring of 1873. However, sev- eral congregations had perfected organiza- tions and begun work in the community at earlier dates, as shown in the following list which gives the date of the earliest organiza- tion of each of several denominations: Metho- dist Episcopal, South, organized in February, 1872, and building completed in June, 1872; Presbyterian, organized in May, 1872, and building removed from Elyton the same year; Baptist, organized June 21, 1872, and build- ing erected in 1873; Roman Catholic, con- gregation formed in 1871 and building commenced in September, 1872; Protestant Episcopal, congregation formed early in 1872 and building erected in 1873; Cumberland Presbyterian, organized in 1876 and building erected in 1878; Methodist Episcopal, North, building erected in 1881; Jewish, established April 23, 1882, and erection of synagogue commenced in 1886; Disciples of Christ, or Christian, organized in April, 1885.

"Greater Birmingham."-The legislature, August 8, 1907, authorized the extension of the corporate limits of the city so as to take in extensive suburban territory and satellite towns also, including Ensley, Pratt City, Woodlawn, North Birmingham, and others, so as to form "Greater Birmingham." When the agitation was started, a good deal of opposition to the inclusion of some of these towns arose among their inhabitants, es- pecially among the owners of the industrial plants and the larger property holders. For this reason, the legislature, while prescribing the new limits tentatively, left the decision to the votes of the qualified electors residing in all the territory which would be affected. In the event of a favorable majority, the act was to take effect on October 1, 1909. The contest was heated, but resulted in an en- thusiastic popular endorsement of the plan for a great city; and "Greater Birmingham" is now in population probably the third city in the South, being exceeded only by New Orleans and Louisville.

Municipal Government .- From its incor- poration until April 10, 1911, Birmingham was governed by a mayor and board of alder- men; but on that date the plan of commission government provided for cities of 100,000 or more population by act of the legislature, March 31, 1911, became effective in Birming- ham, the only city in the class to which the law applied. The commission has three mem- bers; and the city government is divided into three departments-finance, streets and parks, and public justice-each under the immediate supervision of one commissioner in his ca- pacity of executive officer, while the commis- sion collectively constitutes the legislative department.

The foregoing plan was changed by the legislature, September 25, 1915, so as to sub- stitute for the commission of three members serving three years, one of five members serv- ing four years. Under the new plan, there are five administrative departments, each in charge of a commissioner chosen by the com-

mission collectively, namely, (1) department of general administration, finances and ac- counts; (2) department of public improve- ments; (3) department of public property and public utilities; (4) department of public safety; (5) department of public health and education. The powers and duties of each of these departments are prescribed by the commission as a whole; however, the law stipulates that the president of the commis- sion shall be the general executive officer of the city, "charged with the general super- vision and direction of its affairs." The presi- dent receives $5,000 and each of the other members, $4,000 a year; and all of them are required to devote their entire time to the duties of their offices.

Candidates for election as commissioner are nominated by petition, which must be signed by at least 200 qualified voters, and a majority of the votes cast for any office is requisite to election.

Any commissioner may be recalled upon petition of not less than 3,000 voters, and ordinances may be introduced, or initiated, by petition of 1,500 voters, whereupon they must either be enacted by the commission or submitted to the vote of the people at a referendum election.

Industrial Development .- Industrially and financially the city is so closely identified with what is known as the Birmingham mineral district that these phases of the his- tory of the two are practically inseparable. · The growth of the city's population is else- where commented on. Its growth in indus- trial importance is well exhibited by a com- parison of the average number of wage earners and the value of marketed products at different periods of time. During 1899 there was in the city an average of 3,490 wage earners, and the value of industrial products was $8,599,418. During 1904 the figures were 3,987 and $7,592,958, respectively. During 1909, the latest available data, the average number of wage earners was 8,999, and the value of products, $24,128,214, an increase over 1899 of 157.85 per cent in the former, and 180.58 per cent in the latter.

There were 109 industrial establishments of all kinds in the city in 1899, whose com- bined capital was $4,314,000; and 122 in 1904, capitalized at $5,739,000. In 1909 there were 248 establishments whose capital aggregated $23,718,000; an increase over 1899 of 127.52 per cent in the number of industries, and 449.79 per cent in value of products.

Settlers and Builders .- Among the early settlers and builders of the city the following may be mentioned: John T. Milner, Maj. Thomas Peters, Maj. A. Marre, Col. James R. Powell, Dr. Henry M. Caldwell, Maj. Willis J. Milner, Col. J. W. Sloss, Henry F. DeBardeleben, Robert H. Henley, Willis Roberts, Judge W. S. Mudd, John T. Heflin, Alexander O. Lane, Robert A. McAdory, James E. Webb, Oscar W. Underwood, David B. Grace, William Berney, Robert Jemison, B. F. Roden, Willlam T. Underwood, C. P. Williamson, James A. VanHoose.

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See Birmingham Federal Building; Bir- mingham Railway, Light & Power Co .; Cities and Towns; Coal; Coke; Commission Gov- ernment; Geology; Industries; Iron and Steel; Jefferson County; Jones Valley; Ju- venile Courts; Mine Safety Station; Popu- lation; Railroads; Warrior River.

REFERENCES .- Acts, 1871-72, pp. 229-234; 1872- 73, pp. 231-236; General Acts, 1907, pp. 204-223; Local Acts, 1907, pp. 902-907; 1915, p. 222; Jef- ferson County and Birmingham, historical and biographical (1887); Arms, Story of coal and iron in Alabama (1910); U. S. Bureau of the Census, Abstract of 13th Census with supple- ment for Alabama (1913) ; and General statis- tics of cities, 1915 (1916); and Financial statis- tics of cities, 1915 (1916); The Birmingham Magazine, circa 1915-1917; Birmingham Cham- ber of Commerce, Jefferson County and Bir- mingham (1911, pp. 30) ; and How Birmingham grows (n. d. [1910] folder) ; Birmingham Com- mercial Club, Birmingham, its resources and advantages [1901]; Ibid, June 1, 1904; Bir- mingham and vicinity, a brief review (1898, pp. 16).

BIRMINGHAM AND ATLANTIC RAIL- ROAD COMPANY. Organized under general laws of Alabama, October 1, 1890; line ex- tends from Talladega to Pell City; mileage operated June 30, 1915-main track, 22.9, side tracks, 0.66, total, 23.56; capital stock authorized and outstanding-common, $50,- 000, no preferred stock; funded debt, $650,- 000. It is owned solely by the Northern Ala- bama Coal, Iron & Railway Co .- Annual Re- port of the Company to Ala Public Service Commission, 1915.

This company succeeded to the franchises and property of the Talladega & Coosa Val- ley Railroad Co., which was chartered under the general laws of the State on December 19, 1883. Its road between Murphy and Coosa River, 15 miles, was opened in 1886. It reached Talladega over 2 miles of road leased from the Anniston & Atlantic Rail- road Co. In 1887 the road was extended to Pell City, making the total length of main line, 26.9 miles. During the same year a branch, 2.7 miles in length, was built from Ragan to the ore beds of the Talladega Iron & Steel Co. The Birmingham & Atlantic Railroad Co. was organized, October 1, 1890, and purchased the property of the Talladega & Coosa Valley Railroad Co. The new com- pany completed a line from Renfroe to the Cook ore mines, a distance of 8 miles, in the latter part of the year. On June 1, 1899, a branch from Talladega to Weisinger, 3 miles in length, was completed.

REFERENCES .- Railroad Commission of Ala., Annual report, 1889 et seq .; Poor's manual of railroads, 1886 et seq .; and sketches of D. W. Rogers and D. Morgan Rogers, early promoters, in Northern Alabama (1888), pp. 459, 463.

BIRMINGHAM AND EDGEWOOD ELEC- TRIC RAILWAY. A public utility corpora- tion, chartered June 1, 1909, under the laws of Alabama; capital stock-authorized, $25,- 000, outstanding, $15,000; shares, $100; no

funded debt; property in Alabama-electric railway line, 4.5 miles in length, connecting Birmingham, Rosedale, Oak Grove, and Edgewood. The power is purchased and the equipment leased from the Birmingham Rail- way, Light & Power Co. (q. v.); offices: Birmingham.

REFERENCE .- Poor's manual of public utilities, 1916, p. 46.

BIRMINGHAM AND SOUTHEASTERN RAILWAY COMPANY. Incorporated under general laws, March 8, 1901, as Union Springs & Northern Railway Co., and name changed to present designation, May 1, 1911: its line extends from Union Springs to Elec- tric; mileage operated June 30, 1915-main track, 48.2, side tracks, 1.0, total, 49.2; capital stock authorized, common, $3,000,000, no preferred stock; actually issued, $700,000; shares $100; voting power, one vote a share; funded debt, $818,605.14.

The Union Springs & Northern Railway Co., was chartered March 8, 1901, under the laws of Alabama, and put its line from Union Springs to Fort Davis, a distance of 7.5 miles, in operation July 1, 1902. On May 1, 1911, the name of the company was changed to the Birmingham & Southeastern Railway Co. as above. In April, 1912, the company pur- chased the Tallassee & Montgomery Railway, extending from Tallassee to Milstead, 6.28 miles, and merged it with its own line. The Tallassee & Montgomery Railway Co. was chartered in perpetuity under the laws of the State, August 10, 1895. Its road was opened early in 1896, for the purpose of developing the water power at Tallassee.

REFERENCES .- Annual report of company to Railroad Commission of Ala., 1915; Poor's man- ual of railroads, 1901 et seq.

BIRMINGHAM BAR ASSOCIATION LI- BRARY. See Libraries.

BIRMINGHAM CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL. See Child Welfare Activities.

BIRMINGHAM COAL & IRON CO. See Woodward Iron Co.

BIRMINGHAM COLLEGE. A higher edu- cational institution, located at Birmingham, and owned and controlled by the North Ala- bama Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church, South. At the session of the con- ference, in Tuscaloosa, November, 1896, it was definitely decided to begin the enterprise of locating, building and equipping a college for men within its bounds.

The committee on organization met at the First Methodist Church, Birmingham, Feb- ruary 3, 1897, and located the college on a 50-acre site at Owenton, a suburb and now in the heart of Birmingham, the chief city within the bounds of the Conference. The location was made possible through the lib- erality of Rose W. Owen, Thomas G. Bush, Robert N. Greene, and Paul H. Earle.

Rev. T. K. Tierce was appointed financial agent; and the foundation of the first col-

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lege building was laid in 1897. In April, 1898, Rev. Z. A. Parker, D. D., was elected president; and on September 14, 1898, after a full faculty had been organized, the "North Alabama Conference College" (its original name), opened its doors. It was chartered December 14, 1898, with Dr. Anson West, Rev. Frank T. J. Brandon, John B. Gregory, Rev. James S. Glasgow, Dr. Zacha- riah A. Parker, James H. Leslie, Dr. Isaac Q. Melton, Dr. Hiram G. Davis, Rev. Robert A. Timmons, Rev. Joseph T. Morris, Dr. John S. Robertson, Rev. Edgar M. Glenn, and Dr. George W. Read, as trustees.

The name was changed to Birmingham College in 1906, under the general law of October 1, 1903. In 1909 the trustees pur- chased 18 acres, which added to the dona- tions above named makes the realty holdings 68 acres. The central building is of red pressed-brick, three stories in height. It contains a chapel, library, and reading room, two literary society halls, and seven recita- tion rooms. It has three modern dormitories. Courses are offered leading to the degrees of B. A., B. S., M. A., and M. S. It has two literary societies-R. E. Lee and The Eumenean; an alumni association; Young Men's Christian Association; a science club; an athletic association; and a student quar- terly publication, called the "Birmingham College Reporter." Its report to the state superintendent of education, September 30, 1916, shows building and site, valued at $180,000; equipment, $5,000; library, of 5,000 vols., valued at $4,000; 11 teachers; 176 students; and total support of $15,300.

Presidents .- Rev. Z. A. Parker, D. D., 1898-99; Rev. Edgar M. Glenn, D. D., 1899- 1902; Rev. John S. Robertson, 1902-1903; Rev. Anson West, D. D., 1903-1904; Rev. John R. Turner, 1904-1906; Rev. James H. McCoy, D. D., 1906-1910; Rev. J. D. Simp- son. D. D., 1910-1915.

Presidents, Board of Trustees .- Rev. Dr. Anson West, 1898-1904; Robert S. Munger, 1904-1916.

REFERENCES .- Catalogues, 1898-1916, 14 vols .; Local Acts, 1898-99, pp. 264-265.

BIRMINGHAM DENTAL COLLEGE. A professional institution, organized in 1893, consolidated with the Birmingham Medical College in 1910, but discontinued with the closing of the last named institution in June, 1915.

College History .- It was chartered under the laws of Alabama July 12, 1893, with Judge S. E. Greene, Capt. Joseph F. Johnston, Capt. Frank P. O'Brien, B. Steiner, William Berney, H. M. Caldwell, Rufus N. Rhodes, Dr. Joseph R. Smith, sr., and William A. Walker as trustees. The legislature February 18, 1895, confirmed the incorporation, and en- larged its powers. It was provided that the school should be so conducted as to give "instruction in operative dentistry and dental surgery, aud all other branches of learning, necessary or desirable in the proper and effi- cient instruction of dental science." It was given power to hold property not exceeding

in value $250,000. It was first opened in the same building with the Birmingham Medi- cal College, Nos. 209 and 211, North 21st Street. It opened its doors in the fall of 1893, and its first class included three grad- uates. With the session of 1903-04, it en- tered its new building on the corner of 5th Avenue and 22nd Street north. On March 2, 1901, its powers were further enlarged by the legislature so that among other things it might "acquire by gift or purchase any dead human bodies for the purpose of dissection and use for instruction of its students." Com- pletion of the course of study entitled grad- uates to the degree of doctor of dental surgery. In 1910 the college was reorganized and became the dental department of the Bir- mingham Medical, Dental and Pharmaceutical College. During its existence the college was a member of the National Association of Dental Faculties; and it was recognized by the National Association of Dental Examiners, having conformed to all of the requirements of that association. As stated, with the tak- ing over of the consolidated schools by the University of Alabama, to be operated in future as the graduate school of medicine, its separate work was discontinued in June, 1915. Work in the graduate school of den- tistry has not yet been organized. Lists of the graduates will be found in the later cata- logues. An alumni organization is organized among the students.

The following are the several deans, Dr. T. M. Allen, Dr. Charles S. Merrill, Dr. B. G. Copeland. Other members of the faculty were Dr. W. D. Carmichael, Dr. Meta T. Haley, Dr. W. B. Fulton, Dr. L. A. Crumly, Dr. John E. Frazier, Dr. W. R. Dillard, Dr. G. M. Lathem, Dr. Alfred Eubank, Dr. N. C. Glass, Dr. F. L. Whitman, Dr. C. Henckell, Dr. James A. Allen, jr., and Dr. A. R. Bliss, jr. The foregoing were all doctors of dental surgery. Included in the regular faculty and lecturers were many members of the faculty of the Birmingham Medical College. For many years D. J. Ponceler, Esq., was professor of dental jurisprudence.

REFERENCES .- Acts, 1894-95, pp. 1164-1167; 1900-01, p. 2007; Catalogues, 1893-1914.

BIRMINGHAM, ENSLEY AND BESSE- MER RAILROAD COMPANY. A public utility corporation, incorporated, 1911, in Alabama; funded debt, $2,650,000; property owned: 19.3 miles main line, 12.11 miles second track, and 1.48 miles sidings, etc., total 32.72; car barn, substations and storage rooms; 1 locomotive, 25 electric passenger, and several work cars; and a franchise in Greater Birmingham which runs 99 years. The company defaulted in payment of interest due September 1, 1914, and is now in the hands of W. G. Brown as receiver; offices: Birmingham.

REFERENCE .- Poor's manual of public utilities, 1916, p. 2166.

BIRMINGHAM FEDERAL BUILDING. The original Federal building at Birmingham was used as courthouse and post office. A

· JEREMIAH AUSTILL Hero of the canoe fight on the Alabama River during the Creek War in 1813

THE CANOE FIGHT.

From an old print

THE CANOE FIGHT

Vol. 1-10

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site and building to cost $300,000 were au- thorized April 19, 1888, and $150,000 appro- priated for construction, October 2, 1888. The erection of an additional story on the building at a cost of $35,000 was authorized March 3, 1891, and the limit of cost increased by $15,000, August 23, 1894. Additional appropriations for the building were made as follows: March 2, 1889, $150,000; March 3, 1891, $35,000; April 23, 1894, $15,000. This building was located on the northeast corner of Second Avenue and Eighteenth Street on a lot fronting 170 feet on the former, and 140 feet on the latter. The site was secured for $55,000, March 19, 1899, and the construction of the building com- menced under contract awarded June 28, 1890. It was occupied on July 19, 1893, but not finally completed until the following year. The total cost of the completed build- ing was $296,425. The first floor was used exclusively by the post office, and the re- mainder of the building was divided into 18 offices which were used by the United States Court and the Internal Revenue Department. The cubic contents of the building are 827,- 212 feet. It is heated by steam and provided with elevators.

The purchase of a site for a new post office and courthouse at a cost of $200,000 was authorized June 25, 1910, and $200,000 ap- propriated for the purpose March 4, 1911. The purchase of additional land and the con- struction of the building at a cost of $1,000,- 000 was authorized March 4, 1913, and $185,000 appropriated for the purpose April 6, 1914. An additional appropriation of $100,000 was made February 28, 1916. A plot of ground, 400x190 feet, at the corner of Fifth Avenue and 18th Street, was secured April 25, 1914, but the contract for the new building has not been awarded.

REFERENCES .- U. S. Statutes at Large, vol. 25, pp. 86, 505, 939; vol. 26, p. 949; vol. 28, p. 428; vol. 36, pp. 628, 1367; vol. 37, p. 880; vol. 38, p. 314; vol. 39, p. 17; History of public buildings under control of Treasury Dept. (1901), p. 7; Supervising Architect of the Treasury, Annual report, 1916, pp. 48-49.

BIRMINGHAM HUMANE SOCIETY. Cruelty to Animals.

See

BIRMINGHAM MEDICAL COLLEGE. A professional institution, originally organized in 1894, but now reorganized and conducted as the graduate school of medicine of the University of Alabama. As such it opened October 1, 1913. The graduate school con- trols the lands and fully equipped buildings of the former college. Its executive faculty constitutes the visiting staff of the Hillman hospital. In addition it has a large general faculty. Clinical work is offered in the University Free Dispensary and in the Hill- man hospital. The college buildings adjoin the hospital, all located on Avenue "F" and 20th Street, Birmingham. Departments of instruction are provided in the following: Medicine and Neurology; General Surgery; Surgical Anatomy and Clinical Surgery;

Gynecology and Abdominal Surgery; Pediat- rics; Obstetrics; Genito-Urinary Surgery; Orthopedic Surgery; Diseases of Ear, Nose and Throat; Dermatology; Ophthalmology; Tropical Diseases; Histology, Pathology and Bacteriology; and Public Health. Special courses are offered in Cystoscopy; Surgical Pathology; Biological Chemistry, and the Wasserman Reaction. Dr. Lewis C. Morris has been dean of the new school since its opening.

College History .- The Birmingham Medi- cal College had its origin in the feeling on the part of a number of progressive physi- cians in the city of Birmingham that such a professional institution was needed, and that the opportunities for its successful main- tenance existed there in a marked degree. It was chartered under the general laws of the state June 9, 1894, with the following regents: W. C. Ward, James B. Head, M. T. Porter, B. F. Moore, Gen. E. W. Pettus, Senator John T. Morgan, Col. Hilary A. Her- bert, Dr. Joseph R. Smith, sr., Rev. Dr. Z. A. Parker, Rev. Dr. A. W. McGaha, Maj. F. Y. Anderson, W. M. Newbold, J. Morgan Smith, Col. J. W. Bush, Frank P. O'Brien, and Dr. T. M. Allen, D. D. S. Its first home was a commodious five-story building located at Nos. 209 and 211 North 21st Street. It opened its doors October 1, 1894 with an attendance of 32 for the first session, among whom were first, second and third year stu- dents; and in 1895 it had 1 graduate. The second year there was an enrollment of 37 students, and 2 graduates.

At the legislature of 1896-97, an act was secured, approved February 16, 1897, con- firming the incorporation of the college, de- claring its powers, and conferring additional rights and privileges. It was empowered "to conduct and carry on a medical college, and to Instruct therein students in the science and practice of medicine in all its branches, in- cluding surgery, to graduate students in such science and to confer upon such students diplomas, and to do all things necessary or proper to be done in the management and conduct of such college or to accomplish the purposes aforesaid." Among the important additional powers granted was the right to receive the unclaimed bodies of pauper dead from the proper authorities of the city of Birmingham and of the county of Jefferson for use in instruction in anatomy. This legis- lation settled all legal difficulties, and gave a sure supply of anatomical material.

In 1902 the college was reorganized. It was at that time occupying its original build- ing, which had been found wholly inadequate for teaching purposes. A lot was purchased adjacent to the Hillman hospital, a modern medical college building was erected, and the first session in the new building opened in the fall of 1903. The curriculum approved by the council of education of the American Medical Association was adopted in April, 1909.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I, Part 29

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