USA > Alabama > History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume I > Part 91
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Mitchell, Arthur, Sylacauga. Rudd, Henry O., Sylacauga. Cunningham. Larkin, Talladega. Haywood, Zebedee, Talladega. Lee, Bill, Talladega. Patterson, Wiley, Talladega. Randall, Francis M., Talladega. Sales, Ernest, Talladega. Stockdate. Harry, Talladega. Styres, Lucius, Talladega. Taylor, William, Talladega. Ware, Leon, Talladega. Wilkerson, Harvie, Talladega.
Tallapoosa .- Hill, Cliff, Alexander City. Leonard, Irwin, Alexander City. McCain, Ulysses, Alexander City. Wheeler, William F., Alexander City. Berry, Coly, Camp Hill. Stevens, Harmie E., Camp Hill. Wise, Luther, Camp Hill.
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HISTORY OF ALABAMA
Adams, Sanford E., Dadeville. Brown, Thomas W., Dadeville. Greathouse, Earnest, Dadeville. Haywood, Sterling, Dadeville. Mask, Handley, Dadeville. Patterson, Isaac, Dadeville. Simmons, Albert L., Dadeville. Ward, Ross R. V., Dadeville. Debose, Wilmer, East Tallassee. Harris, Paul H., East Tallassee.
Tuscaloosa .- Deaton, Ed, Brookwood. Partrick, Sim E., Buhl. Roycroft, William T., Coker. Williams, Patton N., Coker. Brown, Fred R., Cottondale. Sullivan, Mitt M., Echola. Tilley, James, Holman. Morgan, Judge T., Holt. Durrett, Findley B., Northport. Farley, James, Northport. Gardner, Luther M., Northport. Gay, Marvin, Northport. Hill, Will, Northport. Laycock, Anders, Northport. McPherson, Jesse W., Northport. Hinds, Joseph G., Peterson. Phillips, Willie S., Ralph. Doss, Perry E., Samantha. Espey, Grant, Samantha. Hyche, Nealy, Searles. Cottrell, Oscar,Tuscaloosa. Dixon, Andrew, Tuscaloosa. Edelman, Louis, Tuscaloosa. Farris, William A., Tuscaloosa.
Leach, Joseph, Tuscaloosa. Moody, Farley Williams, Tuscaloosa. Pearson, Jesse, Tuscaloosa. Pullen, William D., Tuscaloosa. Robertson, Ike A., Tuscaloosa. Russell, William, Tuscaloosa. Turner, George W., Tuscaloosa. Toliver, Nelson, Yolande.
Walker .-
McCollum, William F., Carbon Hill. Myers, John H. W., Carbon Hill. Leans, Love, Clough. Rush, Jim Jack, Coal Valley. Woods, Oscar L., Coal Valley.
Lackey, Homer J., Cordova. McGaugh, Joseph H., Cordova. Flippo, John E., Corona. Mayberry, Hunter, Corona. Thornton, Hollie G., Corona. Beck, Edward P., Dora. Vines, Clarence, Dora. Hamby, Oscar, Drifton. Wight, Jim, Empire. Kidd, John E., Jasper. Morris, J. W., Jasper. Sherer, Samuel E., Jasper. Sutton, Charles O., Jasper. Tucker, Otis A., Jasper. Mullens, Jesse F., Manchester. Adams, Halbert, Nauvoo. Cagle, Harvey F., Nauvoo. Dodd, Benjamin H., Nauvoo. Hogan, Alfred, Nauvoo. Bagwell, Tom, Oakman. Banks, William T., Oakman.
Evans, Oscar, Oakman. Kilgore, Oliver, Oakman. Wolf, Claude, Oakman. Ferguson, Lester F., Prospect. Griffith, Lucius G., Prospect.
Bell, George W., Townley. Cooner, Elmer E., Townley. Fomby, McCager Brown, Townley.
Washington .- Onderdonk, Henry A., Chatom. Platt, Kerry H., Escatawpa. Smith, Sidney J., Healing Springs. Anderson, Lemon, Millry. Whigham, Claud C., Millry. Woodyard, Frank, Sunflower. Gibson, Willis, Vinegar Bend.
Wilcox .- Stallworth, Frank, Bellview. Watsford, Samuel C., Caledonia. Blackman, Charley, Camden. Boykin, William, Camden. Dumas, William, Camden.
Kelsaw, William, Camden. McNier, Cleveland, Camden. Moore, James T., Camden. Reaves, William McD., Camden. Savage, Harry I., Camden. Singleton, Howard, Camden. Williams, James, Camden. Brooks, Frank C., Coy. James, Jim, Furman. Williams, Willie Gay, Furman. Battle, Fred, Gastonburg. Morgan, Walter L., Lamison. Privett, John Henry, Lower Peach Tree.
McWilliams, Joseph H., McWilliams. Molton, Garfield, Millers Ferry.
Moton, Warb, Millers Ferry. Baggett, Nick, Nellie. Watson, John C., Pine Apple.
Autrey, Oscar L., Pine Hill. Boutwell, Henry C., Pine Hill.
Treaster, Charles E., Pine Hill.
Robinson, Daniel, Prairie. Butler, John, Snow Hill.
Autrey, Henry M., Sunny South. Deaton, Vivian T., Sunny South. Jones, Jenkins, Sunny South.
Winston .- Farmer, Walter, Addison. Park, Charles T., Addison. Richards, Charles, Addison. Head, Cleveland, Arley. Pilgrim, Allen, Arley.
McCollum, Arlie A., Double Springs. McCollum, Oscar L., Double Springs. Backus, Jesse W., Haleyville. Donaldson, Robert L., Haleyville. Haley, Charles, Haleyville. Harp, Paul R., Haleyville. Roberson, Charley D., Haleyville. Whitehead, George H., Haleyville. Posey, Elson, Helicon. Norwood, Hosea, Natural Bridge.
Counties Unknown .- Cappock, Joseph M., Oran City. Carlton, John Roy, Wandley. Connell, Willie E., Salora. Elliott, Harvey L., Aberdeen. German, John, Margunville.
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Gulley, Perry, Acville.
Harris, Taylor, Chilakagee.
Hicks, Will, New Berry. Johnson, Nathan, Reeltown. Jones, Claude William, Cowper. Kelly, George, Shipperville.
Kyte, Ollie H., Urbana. Nunnelly, Anderson L., Chatchie. Poe, William, Chatchee. Pullum, Adrian, Pimento.
Reece, Henry, Morgue Mine.
Robertson, Alex G., Lethbridge.
Smith, William S., Shamrock.
Stewart, Buford, Manafile. Washburn, Jeff, Calvait. Williams, Richard, Andenreid. McSparren, William T., Germantown. Alexander, Mearl C., Shawn.
DEATSVILLE. Post office and station on the main line of the Louisville & Nashville Railroad in the northwestern part of Elmore County, on Big Mortar Creek, in T. 19, N, R. 17, E. It is about 6 miles northwest of Speig- ner and about 15 northwest of Wetumpka. Altitude: 306 feet. Population: 1910-194; Cold Spring Precinct, including the town, 2,266. It was incorporated in 1903, and named for W. S. Deats. It is located on the old stage route from Montgomery to Tusca- loosa, now a public highway. It has 2 gin- neries, a cotton warehouse, and a sawmill.
REFERENCES .- Northern Alabama (1888), p. 194; Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1915.
DE BARDELEBEN COAL COMPANY, INC. An industrial corporation, incorporated April 24, 1915, under the laws of Alabama, as suc- cessor to the Maryland Coal & Coke Co .; capital stock, authorized and outstanding, $600,000; shares, $100; funded debt, $570,- 000; property in Alabama-owns in fee 11,- 422 acres of coal lands and controls, through leases, 2,360 acres additional, all of which are in the Warrior coal field, about 35 miles northwest of Birmingham on a branch of the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham Rail- road; 14 drift mines, electrically equipped and connected by electric railroad with the company's plant at Sipsey; 112 miles of rail- road connecting its plant with the Kansas City, Memphis & Birmingham Railroad; and 160 acres of surface lands at the town of Sipsey, with stores, houses, etc., for the ac- commodation of its employees; offices: Bir- mingham.
The Maryland Coal & Coke Co. was formed by the purchase of the entire capital stock of the Maryland Coal Co., which owned about six thousand acres of coal lands in Walker County, and by the purchase at the same time of approximately eight thousand acres of additional lands from other parties. The name of the first-mentioned company was changed to the above-noted title, May 1, 1915, but no other changes were made.
REFERENCE,-Poor's manual of industrials, 1916, p. 2480.
De BARDELEBEN COAL & IRON CO. See Tennessee Coal, Iron & Railroad Co.
DECATUR. County seat of Morgan County, situated on the south bank of the Tennessee River, in the northwestern corner. of the county, on the Southern Railway and the Louisville & Nashville Railroad, 122 miles south of Nashville, 188 miles east of Memphis, 122 miles west of Chattanooga, and 182 miles north of Montgomery. The city proper was first embraced within sec. 18, T. 5, S., R. 4 W. with irregular boundary lines. Altitude: 591 feet. Population: 1870-671; 1888- 2,500; 1892-2,700; 1900-3,114; 1910- 4,228. The present charter was granted by the legislature, February 18, 1891. It has a city hall, jail, and fire department in one building, erected in 1912, at a cost of $31,000; privately owned gas plant, electric light sys- tem, and waterworks; 10 miles of sewerage, installed in 1902 and extended 11/2 miles in 1913, costing $41,000; 234 miles paved streets; 24 miles of concrete sidewalks; a Carnegie Library; and electric interurban street-car system. The city has a total tax rate of 5.3 mills and a bonded indebtedness of $60,000 maturing in 1927 and $25,000 public building bonds, maturing in 1941. Its financial institutions are the City National Bank, and the Tennessee Valley Bank (State). The Decatur Weekly News, an Independent weekly, established in 1870, and the Guardian (negro), a monthly, established in 1910, are published there. Its industries are a box and basket factory, stave plant, lumber mills, planing mill, ice plant, foundry and machine plant, fertilizer plant, and the public service companies mentioned above. The Methodist Episcopal, South, Baptist, Presbyterian, Primitive Baptist, and Episcopal, and several colored organizations have churches in the town.
The city had its inception in 1820 when President Monroe directed the Surveyor- General "to reserve the site for a town to be called Decatur." The project was turned over to the Decatur Land Co. in 1820, but was still a part of the Cherokee Reservation until 1826, when the Alabama Legislature issued a charter, December 8, to the town of Decatur. The first settlement was made by Dr. Henry Rhodes at the eastern end of Muscle Shoals, "at the western terminus of Tennessee river navigation to Chattanooga." At the old Indian crossing of the river, Dr. Rhodes established a ferry, and this circum- stance accounts for the first name of the town being Rhodes Ferry. In 1829 he built a rope and bagging factory, supplying it with raw material from a field of hemp, planted on the north side of the river. He was later joined by Gen. Jesse Winston Garth, Simon Sykes, and Dr. Dancy, all men of considerable wealth, who had been the promoters of the land company formed in 1820. The first con- veyance was issued by the company in July, 1821, and transferred to Amos Hardin for $51, the lot now located on the corner of Water and Canal Streets, fronting the river.
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HISTORY OF ALABAMA
The first banking institution was a branch of the State bank, established in a log cabin in 1832. Its first money was $2,000 in silver, brought from New Orleans to Florence by steamboat and thence to Decatur by wagon.
The first railroad, properly so-called, in the State, was built in 1832 to connect Tuscum- bia and Decatur and to avoid the Muscle Shoals. Upon its completion in 1834, thou- sands of people came, some of them many days' journey, to see the wonder. A Masonic Hall was built in 1834, the lower floor being used for school and church purposes. The first church was built by the Methodists in 1835. In 1836 the first brick store-building, known as the Hines Building, and a brick warehouse at the river, were erected. In 1838 a large cotton factory was built and in 1839 the Baptists erected a brick church.
REFERENCES .- Acts, 1826-27, pp. 88-89; Ibid, 1900-01, pp. 1304-1328; Saunders, Early settlers (1899), p. 257; Armes, Story of coal and iron in Alabama (1910); Polk's Alabama gazetteer, 1888-9, p. 305; Alabama Official and Statistical Register, 1915.
DECATUR, CARNEGIE LIBRARY. See
Libraries.
DECATUR, CHESAPEAKE & NEW OR- LEANS RY. CO. See Nashville, Chatta- nooga & St. Louis Railway.
DECATUR COUNTY. Created by the legis- lature, December 7, 1821, out of a part of Jackson County. Its area was described in the act of establishment as including "all that tract of country lying west of Jackson County, south of the Tennessee State line, east of Madison County, and north of the Tennessee River." By an act of December 13, 1821, a commission was appointed to select a tem- porary seat of justice for the county, to serve until the Government lands within its limits should be sold. On the same day provision was made for the holding of circuit courts in the county, and authority was given the judges and commissioners of the county court to levy a tax, not exceeding one-fourth the amount of the State tax rate, for the erec- tion of a temporary courthouse and jail. An act of December 31, 1822, defined the boun- dary line between Decatur and Jackson Coun- ties with more particularity, as follows: "Be- ginning at the mouth of Sauta creek; thence up said creek to where the Winchester road crosses said creek; thence to Jesse Thomp- son's; thence to Caswell Bibey's, including said Jesse Thompson, William Cundic, Hiram Jackson, Thomas Jones, John Smart, and said Caswell Bibey's in Decatur county; thence from said Bibey to the top of the mountain above William E. Haskins, where the Win- chester road descends the Cumberland moun- tain; thence to the most leading point of the mountain, between the mouth of the Lick fork and the mouth of Larkin's fork of Paint rock river; thence to the top of said moun- tain; thence a northwest course, to the Ten- nessee 'state line."
On December 17, 1823, an act was passed to provide for elections to determine the se- lection of a quarter section of land on which to establish a county seat. On the site thus selected the town of Woodville, at present in Jackson County, was built, and continued as the seat of justice until the county was abolished by the legislature of 1823-24, and its territory divided between Jackson and Madison Counties. The county was of ir- regular shape, being more than 40 miles in length, and varying from 3 to 25 miles in width. When surveys of its area had been completed, it was found that it did not contain the constitutional number of square miles, and it was therefore abolished. During its short existence, its representatives in the legislature were shown on the senate and house journals as from Jackson and Decatur Counties.
REFERENCES .- Acts, 1821-22, pp. 10, 72, 73, 74; 1822-23, pp. 34, 89; 1823-24, pp. 84, 91; Brewer, Alabama (1872), p. 282; Taylor, "Mad- ison County," in Huntsville Independent, circa 1879.
DEFECTIVE CLASSES. Individuals be- low normal mentally or physically, including the insane, feeble-minded, epileptic, deaf, blind, cripple and deformed. In Alabama hospitals have been provided for the white and negro insane. Schools for the deaf and blind are in active operation. An epileptic colony was established in 1907. There are no public or private orthopedic hospitals, convalescent homes or asylums for cripples, no special institutions for the feeble-minded, as imbeciles and idiots, or sanatoriums for in- curables or inebriates. It has been the prac- tice to commit some of the feeble-minded and inebriates to the insane hospitals. For want of a better place, the county poorhouses are utilized for the care of defectives, particularly in the less thickly settled counties, but this practice is now discouraged. Care is also offered by some of the larger hospitals, and by one or more private sanatoriums in the State.
See Deaf, Alabama School for; Epileptic Colony; Insane Hospitals; Mental Defectives; Mental Hygiene, Alabama Society for.
REFERENCES .- Mclaughlin and Hart, Cyclo- pedia of American Government (1914), vol. 1, pp. 557-558.
DEFENSE, ALABAMA COUNCIL OF. State wide committee created May 17, 1917, by executive proclamation to disseminate in- formation, assemble the resources, and dis- tribute to the best advantage, with the least expense the products of the State. Organiza- tion meeting of the Council was held in the Senate chamber June 1, 1917. Richard M. Hobbie, of Montgomery was selected as Chair- man of the Executive Committee, and as such was "charged with the duty of supervising the work of the Council." The Secretary to the Governor, W. E. Henderson, was named Executive Secretary of the Council.
At the request of the United States Food
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Administration, Mr. Hobbie resigned his posi- tion as Chairman of the Executive Committee to accept the position of Federal Food Ad- minister for Alabama. Governor Henderson elevated Mr. Lloyd M. Hooper of Selma, a member of the Executive Committee, at the organization meeting, to the position of Chair- man.
On January 1, 1918 the work of the Council of Defense was transferred from the executive department, Montgomery, to Selma. Upon the removal of the Council Mr. Henderson retired as Secretary, and was succeeded by Dr. George Lang of Anniston.
Owing to the fact that the Alabama legis- lature was not in session at the time of the declaration of war between the United States and the central powers no public funds were available, and as the Federal government had made no appropriation, "believing that the citizens of the various states should bear the expense of preparing the states for their duties in the War," the work could not be carried on with "maximum results." The sum of $17,500 was raised by patriotic citi- zens of the state, and additional funds were guaranteed for carrying on the work which had been assigned to the Council by the Federal government. The citizens of the State agreed that they would finance the work of the Committee until the convening of the legislature in January, 1919, at which time it was decided to ask for an appropriation to continue the work. The signing of the Armistice, and the cessation of hostilities made this unnecessary.
Being assured that funds would be avail- able for carrying on the work of the Council, Mr. Hooper removed the central headquarters from Selma to the Senate Chamber of the Capitol on April 1, 1918.
Up to the time of the removal from Selma to Montgomery the executive Committee was composed of Governor Charles Henderson, Chairman Lloyd M. Hooper, L. M. Bashinsky of Troy, Albert P. Bush of Mobile, Ray Rush- ton of Montgomery, Oscar Wells of Birming- ham, and J. F. Duggar of Auburn. It was enlarged after the return to Montgomery to include a representative of each of the Fed- eral agencies or activities doing war work in the State.
The new committee was composed of the following citizens: Governor Charles Hender- son, Chairman Lloyd M. Hooper, L. M. Bash- insky, Albert P. Bush, T. J. Crittendon of Birmingham, Director of Alabama Four Min- ute Men; J. F. Duggar of Auburn, Director of Farm Extension Service; Richard M. Hobie, of Montgomery, Federal Food Administrator of Alabama; Mrs. James F. Hooper of Selma, Chairman Woman's Committee, Council of National Defense; Crawford Johnson of Bir- mingham, State Director of War Savings Committee; Samuel P. Kennedy of Anniston, State Fuel Administrator; W. J. Leppert of New Orleans, Director of Development, de- signated representative of the American Red Cross; Ray Rushton of Montgomery, State Di- rector of United States Public Service Re-
serve; George B. Tarrant, of Birmingham, State Director of United States Employment Service; Dr. C. C. Thach of Auburn, repre- sentative of Agricultural and Mechanical Col- leges; W. D. Wellborn of Montgomery, desig- nated representative of Liberty Loan Cam- paign Committee; and Oscar Wells of Bir- mingham.
The central Committee set about to elimi- nate as far as possible the duplication of activities, which was doing much to retard war work in Alabama. This was accomplished by the new committee, composed as it was of representatives from all lines in the state. On July 23, 1918, an intensive campaign was inaugurated by the Council of Defense, to organize County Councils of Defense. Under the direction of Dr. George Lang, Walter D. Wellborn, W. O. Phillips, Bernard Loebman, Frank Stollenwerck, and Fred H. Gormley, who were designated as Field Repre- sentatives by the Council, a Council of De- fense was organized in each County in the State. Alabama claims "the credit of heing the first state in the Union to organize its Council on the basis of full representation for all Federal agencies." The National Council, in a general letter to all State Coun- cils of Defense, dated September 10, 1918, commended to them the "Alabama plan," and recommended that it be used as a model for the co-ordination and unification of war work.
By the end of September, 1918, every county in Alabama had been reorganized and "placed on an intensive working basis. The enthusiasm aroused, was due largely to the helpful conferences held between the field representatives and the heads of war work in the various counties.
Dr. George Lang remained as Executive Secretary until he accepted the position of Professor of Philosophy at the University of Alabama. Fred H. Gormley, who had served faithfully as Director of Information and Field Service Secretary succeeded him.
After the formation of County Councils of Defense, had been perfected, an urgent request was made by the Council of National Defense, that community councils be or- ganized. In doing this the original plan of organization was carried out. The field Sec- retaries again showed their value, and in many localities these Councils were brought to light.
Much assistance was rendered to the Lib- erty Loan Committee, Y. M. C. A., Red Cross, and other war relief organizations, United War Work Campaign Committee, and all other organizations, by the State and County Councils.
The Alabama Council of Defense was "a clearing house for war activities," and was charged with the duty of presenting to the citizens of Alabama "all policies of the gov- ernment which are given through other dis- tinct organizations."
One of the very first things that was un- dertaken "was to make plans for the assist- ance of the War Department in the detection
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of deserters." The names of all the men of Alabama commands who had been marked as being absent without leave or as deserters, were ascertained and the committee appointed quietly set about to get in touch with these men and have them return to their organiza- tions. In this work Alabama claims to be a pioneer, and under date of November 14, 1918, a letter was received from the Council of National Defense, in which the statement was made that "Alabama was the state whose excellent work suggested our bulletin mak- ing the plan national."
A state speaker's bureau was organized under the direction of Mr. Frank Stollen- werck. Prominent speakers throughout the State who had made themselves available for public meetings of any character were often called upon to render assistance. A speaker was provided for every public celebra- tion held in Alabama on July 4, 1918. This Bureau was also active in assisting those in charge of conducting liberty loan and Red Cross campaigns.
Co-operation between the Council of De- fense and the United States Food Adminis- tration was shown by the intensive campaign for live stock conservation which was waged. The name of every one who had filed claim for the death of live stock was secured and he or she was written to and asked to do all in their power to help in lessening the loss of live stock. The people written to replied with assurances that they would do all within their power to keep their cattle or the live stock off railroad tracks or places where their lives would be in danger.
The legislature of Alabama in 1915 created an Illiteracy Commission, and a committee was appointed from the Council to work with them, so that the men from Alabama who left the State, due to the selected draft, would be in a position to communicate with their people, or to amuse themselves by reading. The educational forces throughout the State rendered most valuable assistance to both of these committees, and Mr. A. F. Harman of Selma, left his work during the summer of 1918 in that city, and established head- quarters with the State Council, whence he directed the work. Upon investigations made by the proper authorities it was shown that 7,651 men of military age could neither read nor write. When the campaign closed 3,563 or 46.5% had been taught to read and write. Schools for illiterate selected service men were opened in forty counties.
Boys' Working Reserve .- Realizing that the call of the nation for men for the army, navy and munition plants demanded that new sources of man power be found, the Coun- cil financed the Alabama Division of the Boys Working Reserve. Mr. W. Nash Reid, of Montgomery, became State Director. It has been estimated that approximately 5,000 boys enlisted in this organization and were ready to help the farmers harvest their crops when the call came. The action of congress in amending the selective service law, and call- ing to the colors many boys who had enlisted
in the Reserve seriously interfered with its work. However, the reports show that the crops of the farmers were harvested without loss to them.
The full co-operation of the Council was given to the draft executive. Among the other activities of the Council which cannot be treated in detail are its non-war construc- tion projects, the appointment of a State Highway transport committees, the purpose of which was to bring to the attention of the government the benefits to be derived by using highways for transportation purposes; the conservation of effort by a one delivery a day system; the formation of an advisory Committee on Negro Organization; the en- gaging of Mr. Herbert Coleman, a well known photographer of Montgomery, to secure photo- graphs of war activities in the state; the urging upon all municipalities strict enforce- ment of uniform vagrancy ordinances, and the inauguration of a movement to interest the government in undeveloped Alabama lands.
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