History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II, Part 47

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: 724

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But what is to he said of the service of the men and boys from Alabama who went out, the major part of them, in the flush of life's Springtime to do battle for the su- premest things of the world, namely, the prin- ciple of perfect freedom under law. All that he hath will a man give for his life, but in obedience to principle will he give even life. And so the records, just compiled, re- veal the thrilling story of the supreme sac- rifice of one thousand six hundred and ninety- eight of our hravest and hest. They went down into the valley of the shadow, to emerge into the land of the eternal, with the chal- lenge to us to "Take up our quarrel with the foe!"

And so, having regard to the purpose and intent of the Legislature, what is done must be statewide, and all-embracing and in every way carrying the true principle of commem- oration.

The suggestions heretofore made have been largely directed to the visualization of the task required. It remains to be pointed out briefly that, in appealing for the dedication of the proposed monumental building to the housing of the countless and valuable records, relics and historical and literary treasures of the State, no greater demonstration of commemoration could be conceived. And, hear in mind that whatever is done, we must keep constantly to the fore that we are to do a commemorative act, or to provide a commemorative process.

The State of Alabama has a wonderful his-

tory, dating from within fifty years of the landfall of Columbus. The experience of all mankind is unanimous in holding that the deeds and achievements of man are worthy of record, and not for the sake of a mere record, hut hecause in them is reflected the soul of society, the spirit of progress, and the promise of the larger life to which the whole creation moves. For after all is not the world primarily concerned with the refine- ment and the development of all the elements of social life, and social control, and social process, and social advance?

History, gentlemen, is not a dead thing, it is not a mere collection of rubbish, or the plaything of the antiquarian. It is the social dynamic, which accumulates experiences in order that social aspiration may be clarified. It is the one clear chart hy which all leaders in every field of social science, whether of government, or economics, or ethics or psy- chology have sailed, and through which in- spiration has been aroused to the doing of the things of life which are lifted above the commonplace and which are fit to endure. And all of this to be placed at the feet of Alabama and Alabamians for their part in the World War!

Here let a quotation be given from a well- considered editorial of one of our county papers, The Ozark Star:

"A suitable memorial would be the erection of a structure on the capital grounds, a part of the capital building if you will, conforming to the architecture of the Capitol commodi- ous enough to take care of the priceless relics and records of Alabama's fighting men-those of other days and those of today-a space where every citizen of the State can go at will and learn of the great deeds of the men of the State. A building of this kind would meet all the requirements of sentiment. Its meaning could he blazoned to the world upon its outside walls-not in moderate words, hut in seemingly extravagant terms-and yet the official records filed away inside would more than sustain the most fervent wording of any inscription. It would meet the insistence of those that the memorial be fairly representa- tive of every section, for the structure would stand an individual monument to every man whose name appeared in the files inside- and every man's would appear. It would undoubtedly meet the approval of every boy 'over there.' He is not caring for the per- petuation of his own record. He did his duty-his conscience is clear-he wants no special fuss made over him. But every mother's son of them, in achieving so much over there, had the example of a father or grandfather-one of the noble boys of '61 to lead him on to victory and to glory. And he is jealous of the record of that ancestor, he wants it kept intact and easy of access to the world for he is proud of it. He'd rather know that through his achievements he had won a worthy home for the war records of his ancestors than that a hundred beneficent institutions had been constructed of local nature."

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HISTORY OF ALABAMA

The existing State agency, the Archives and History Department, provided to discharge the many duties of the historical office are believed to be more than meeting public expectation. It is not wrong for that De- partment to aspire to larger opportunity in order to do a larger service. In cherishing and urging such aspiration there is involved no challenge of other worthy forms of social activity. The issue is far-reaching. Will the Commission catch the vision, or will the one great day about to dawn for larger historical opportunity in Alabama go down in darkness.

"Your flaming torch aloft we bear,

With burning heart an oath we swear To keep the faith, to fight it through."

The following resolution, offered by Borden Burr, a member of the Memorial commission adopting the design of the memorial was passed.

RESOLUTION

Whereas, the act of the Legislature under which we derive our powers authorizes us only to adopt plans, receive contributions for, and cause the erection of "a suitable memorial to commemorate the part of Ala- bama and Alabamians in the World War and to adopt the form and design of the mem- orial and to secure an appropriate site on which to locate or erect the memorial;" and

Whereas, both the spirit of the law and the intent of the Legislature of Alabama provide for a memorial to our soldiers and sailors perpetuating for posterity their rec- ords and evidencing by its name, character and location, its form and design the domi- nant ideal of a statewide memorial as dis- tinguished from the humanitarian idea; therefore,

Be it resolved:

(1) That we adopt as the form of memo- rial a building to be called "Alabama Memorial," and to be of such design and architecture as will best illustrate and com- memorate the record of Alabama and Ala- bamians in the World War;

(2) That in order that the memorial build- ing may be state-wide in both its purposes and uses an appropriate site on or near the capitol grounds, in the city of Montgomery, be secured.

(3) And in order to secure for posterity the records of the past, present and future and the traditions of the past, and to assist in formulating the future historical move- ments of the state, and in order that our edu- cational system may keep step with the prog- ress of our people-both drawing inspiration from our history and lending strength thereto, and for the reason that the history of our state and the education of its citizens are so closely allied, the State Department of Archives and History shall have the custody or care of the said memorial building and its historical contents and the Department of State Education may be housed therein.

(4) That the Executive Committee of the

Commission in keeping with these resolutions be authorized and directed to procure proper plans and specifications for the memorial building, determine the extent of the cost thereof, and make report to this commission as far as practicable within 30 days from this date.

Pursuant to the resolution setting the period for the canvass for funds from the public, the campaign began on June 27, and was carried forward in a majority of the counties through local organizations. The

"drive" ended July 4th, with patriotic speeches and final appeals. The sum realized was far short of the mark set, but the com- mission realizing that monument building usually proceeds slowly, have made plans to go forward with the effort until the goal set is attained. With this resolute purpose in mind the commission met in the Governor's office September 13, 1920, to plan further activities. A committee on site consisting of Joseph O. Thompson, Albert C. Davis and Senator James B. Ellis, was appointed by the Governor, and on January 13, 1921, this com- mittee bought a lot on the corner of Wash- ington and Bainbridge Streets, Montgomery, opposite the south wing of the Statehouse.

On the death of Dr. Owen, his wife was elected to succeed him as director of the department of archives and history, and he- came through that position ex-officio Secretary and historian of the Memorial commission.

REFERENCES .- Manuscript and minutes in the State department of archives and history.

MEMPHIS AND CHARLESTON RAIL- ROAD COMPANY. One of the early rail- road ventures of the State, and somewhat unique in that its road was built practically as originally projected. Although the line was several times extended, the control of the property has passed through fewer hands than has been the case with most other roads chartered prior to 1890 .. The company was originally incorporated under the laws of Tennessee, February 2, 1846. Its history in Alabama begins with the act of the legisla- ture, January 7, 1850, chartering the company as the Memphis & Charleston Rail Road Co. Its purpose was to establish a communi- cation by railroad between Memphis, Tenn., and Charleston, S. C., and the members of the legislature believed that the most eligible route for the road was through Alabama. The company was granted a right-of-way over the Muscle Shoals Canal and through the lands belonging to the State; was required to con- struct a branch between Tuscumbia and Flor- ence; and its capital stock in Alabama was to be $1,500,000, all of which should be ap- plied to the construction of the road in Ala- bama. The mayor and aldermen of Hunts- ville were authorized, February 9, 1850, to subscribe $50,000 to the capital stock of this road.

The charter was amended February 12, to enable the Alabama subscribers to the capital stock to form a separate organization, the " Mississippi & Atlantic Rail Road Co.,"

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HISTORY OF ALABAMA

having the same rights and powers, as the Memphis & Charleston; and eight commis- sioners to perfect the organization were named: Samuel Cruse, Francis J. Levert, Richard W. Vasser, Jesse W. Garth, Edgar Swoope, E. D. Townes, John W. Otey and James H. Weakley. This company acquired the property of the Tennessee Valley Rail Road Co., which was a consolidation and re- organization of the old Tuscumbia Railway Co. (q. v.) and the Tuscumbia, Courtland & Decatur Railroad Co. (q. v.), the first two roads constructed in the State. The first- named road, rebuilt and improved, formed the nucleus for the Memphis & Charleston through line between Memphis, Tenn., and Stevenson, Ala. A large part of the work of construction was in charge of Col. Sam Tate (q. v.), who later built the South & North Alabama Railroad (q. v.).

Attempts to Secure State Aid .- At this time the agitation in the State for a policy of internal improvements was at its height. In the next political campaign for State offi- cers, it became the most important issue. During the session of 1850-51, the house com- mittee on internal improvement reported through its chairman, Philip Phillips, of Mo- bile, a bill " to promote the prosperity of the people of Alabama, by developing the agri- cultural, mineral, manufacturing and com- mercial resources of the State," which would have authorized the governor to endorse the bonds of the Memphis & Charleston to the amount of $500,000, and also those of three other railroad companies for an equal amount.

The committee, among other arguments in favor of the proposed loans, said:

" If the proposition were now presented, that the State should construct these roads, and pay their entire cost out of the State Treasury, it could be easily demonstrated, that the increased taxation, arising from in- creased values, in the State, and the saving of the enormous charges upon the production and consumption of her citizens, would, in a very few years, return into the Treasury every dollar paid out for their construction. " But your committee does not recommend this. On the contrary, it believes the true policy to be to permit these works to take their rise in private enterprise and skill, and for the State to come to their aid when indi- vidual capital is so far involved as to give a guarantee that the work will be economi- cally prosecuted, and the State made safe in the assistance afforded.

"The committee has asked for the most limited assistance that could be presented to the consideration of the House. If the Legis- lature is disposed to extend any aid at all, it will not hesitate to adopt the provisions of this bill . . . Alabama from her geographical position, may become the great highway for all the improvements which run from the Northeast to the Southwest. It depends upon the energy of her citizens and the policy of her legislation, whether she will take advan- tage of this position and improve the rich store intrusted to her, or whether she will

stand still and behold unmoved, the exhaus- tion of her soil, and the emigration of her citizens; and yield, without a struggle, the profits of her remnant of agriculture and commerce to enrich other States and build up foreign cities that add nothing to her strength and pay no tribute for her protec- tion.

" Believing that public sentiment in this State is now fully aroused to the importance of this subject, the committee submit with hope and confidence the accompanying bill."

The legislature, however, was not suffi- ciently impressed by this enthusiastic appeal to adopt the policy advocated, and the bill failed of passage.

The charter was again amended, February 6, 1852, increasing the number of the com- pany's directors from 9 to 13 and authoriz- ing the construction of the branch from the main line at Tuscumbia to Florence.

In 1855, another attempt was made to se- cure financial aid from the State. The com- pany presented a memorial to the legislature in its own behalf. In compliance with this petition, the legislature voted a loan of $300,- 000, for four years, bearing interest at 6 per cent, with mortgage and large personal se- curity. This bill was vetoed by Gov. Winston (q. v.), but was passed by the constitutional majority on January 21, 1856. It was the general opinion of the people that Gov. Wins- ton had little confidence in the solvency of the railroads, or in the value of their bonds, and would therefore be very exacting in ap- plying the " personal security " clause of the act. This appears to have been the case, for application was not made for the loan be- fore the next session two years later, when the law authorizing the loan was repealed.

An act was passed, February 7, 1856, to grant right-of-way through State lands for an extension of the road from Stevenson, so as to form a through line to Chattanooga. This extension was never built; but, instead, a contract was made with the Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad, on June 23, 1858, for a 30-year lease of its tracks between those points. The road was completed without State aid, although many counties, towns and individuals subscribed for its stock or securl- ties. It was first opened for local service October 22, 1855, and for through traffic July 4, 1858.

Vicissitudes of War Period .- Up to 1861 the road enjoyed a flourishing business, and was generally considered the most potent factor in the commercial development of northern Alabama, as well as the most im- portant transportation line in the South. In 1862 the Memphis & Charleston road fell into the hands of Federal troops. They destroyed the repair shops at Huntsville, and all the books and records of the company. When they were driven from a section of the road, they destroyed it in order to keep the Con- federates from using it. Of the 155 miles of the road within the State in 1861, 140 miles of track were torn up, the rails heated over fires made of the crossties, and then twisted

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HISTORY OF ALABAMA

around trees and stumps so as to make them utterly useless. Practically all the machinery was destroyed. Besides these the company sustained heavy losses in Confederate securi- ties. It lost in Confederate currency, $1,195,- 166.79 in addition to the foregoing. In 1865 the road was bankrupt and unable to repair the damage sustained during the War. Its assets, had the securities and the cash on hand been of any value, were sufficient to meet all obligations; but even the debts due it were payable in Confederate currency. Many of its debts which had been paid during the War now had to be paid again.

During the War, while the road was in the hands of the Federal Government and being used almost solely for transportation of its troops and supplies, the handling of its terminal facilities at Chattanooga was in the hands of Milton H. Smith, then a young man in the position of yardmaster, who later attained, through a series of regular promo- tions, the presidency of the Louisville & Nash- ville Railroad system (q. v.), which position he still occupies at the advanced age of 82 years.

Rehabilitation .- When at length the re- mains of its property were surrendered by the Federal Government to the company, ef- forts were at once made toward rehabilita- tion; but the handicaps under which all Southern commercial interests labored for several years after the War, all but proved too heavy. Rolling stock and other equip- ment, which had been installed while the road was being operated by the United States, bad to be purchased from the Government and paid for; the holders of the old bonds of the company were clamoring for the in- terest due them and long in default; all the road's creditors demanded payment before expenditures were made for improvements, and meanwhile nothing could be earned with which to discharge these multitudinous and pressing obligations until extensive repairs could be made. In desperation, the manage- ment resorted to short loans at high rates of interest.

These short loans added to the burden of interest charges, already far too heavy, and the management was forced again to call upon the State for relief. On November 20, 1866, the issuance of $1,000,000 of bonds, in convenient sizes, was authorized. The proceeds were to be used in liquidating and discharging the liabilities mentioned in the preamble to the act, viz: ' WHEREAS, A large portion of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad was injured and destroyed by the late war, and the Company during the ex- istence of the same was deprived of the pos- session and revenues of the road, and whereas since peace has been restored, the said com- pany obtained possession of the road, and has created a floating debt on short time in order to repair the said road and put it in running order, and in the purchase of a large number of locomotives, cars and materials from the United States, and in the payment of interest on the bonds of the company bere-

tofore issued, and whereas the necessities of creditors aforesaid require payment of their dues before the same can be realized out of the income of the road; to this intent and for this purpose

Two years later the reconstruction legis- lature of 1868, which dispensed State finan- cial aid lavishly, withheld such aid from the Memphis & Charleston. On December 16, 1868, Mr. Sibley, of Huntsville, Madison County, chairman of the select committee, reported favorably to the senate a bill, " to authorize the Memphis & Charleston Railroad Company to construct branch roads by the increase of its capital stock." On motion of Mr. Worthy of Troy, Pike County, the bill was amended, as follows: " Provided, the company shall not be entitled to State aid, nor shall the Governor endorse the bonds of the company under any law now in exist- ence." As amended, the bill was passed. On the same day, Senator Sibley reported fav- orably a bill, " to authorize the Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company to issue bonds secured by mortgage for the construction of branch roads." Mr. McAfee of Talladega "County, offered Mr. Worthy's amendment to the former bill to this bill also, but it was lost. The bill was then passed. By the close of 1869, the company was again in need of funds. Application was made to the legisla- ture to approve a third issue of bonds, which was done, March 3, 1870, by an act authoriz- ing the issuance of $1,000,000 of bonds.

In 1871, the McMinnville & Manchester, and the Winchester & Alabama railroads, sold by Tennessee, were purchased by the Memphis & Charleston. In 1877 they were resold to the Nashville, Chattanooga & St. Louis Rail- road Co. Upon purchasing these roads, the Memphis & Charleston applied for permis- sion to issue bonds at the rate of $15,000 per mile on their entire length. On Feb- ruary 24, 1872, the Alabama Legislature granted authority for an additional issue of bonds, to be known as consolidated bonds, to an amount not exceeding $7,000,000.

Within a year after the passage of this act, the company was once more in need of financial relief. Its property was already covered by the several mortgages then out- standing, so its managers asked to be em- powered to mortgage its anticipated income for 10 years to the extent of $1,000,000. The legislature gave the authority, February 28, 1893.

Lease to E. T., V. & G. Ry. Co., and Sale to Southern Railway Co .- From March 5, 1871, to April 30, 1874, the Memphis & Charleston Railroad was operated by the Southern Railway Security Co. On July 1, 1877, the road was leased to the East Ten- nessee, Virginia & Georgia Railway Co. (q. v.) for 20 years, the lessees to operate the road on their own account and apply the net earn- ings to interest charges, paying over any surplus to the lessors. This lease was made primarily for the purpose of so improving the credit of the Memphis & Charleston as to induce certain parties to purchase and be-

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HISTORY OF ALABAMA

come assignees of its indebtedness to Ten- nessee.

The East Tennessee, Virginia & Georgia Railroad Co. retained control of the Mem- phis & Charleston Railroad Co. until the Southern Railway Co. (q. v.) absorbed the former in 1894; but the Memphis & Charles- ton was excluded from the plan of reorgan- ization of the roads controlled by the Rich- mond & West Point Terminal Co., whose holdings the Southern Railway Co. was or- ganized to take over and operate under one management. On March 15, 1896, a plan of reorganization prepared by a committee rep- resenting the bondholders was promulgated, which provided for leasing the property of the Memphis & Charleston for 99 years to the Southern Railway Co., at a rental equal to the fixed charges of the company. The Memphis & Charleston was then in default for a large part of its interest; hence, the plan provided for foreclosure proceedings, and the property was sold, February 26, 1898. It was purchased by the Southern Railway Co., that company issuing in payment therefor, $2,990,400 of its preferred stock, $5,083,000 of its first-mortgage Memphis division bonds, and $1,500,000 of its second-mortgage Mem- phis division bonds.

Since July 1, 1898, the Memphis & Charles- ton has been operated as the Memphis divi- sion of the Southern Railway system, and all accounts have been merged in those of the Southern Railway.

REFERENCES .- Railroad Commission of Ala., Annual reports, 1889 et seq .; Poor's manual of railroads; Fleming, Civil War and Reconstruc- tion in Alabama (1905), pp. 259-261, 587-590; Armes, Story of coal and iron in Alabama (1910), passim; Martin, "Internal improve- ments in Alabama," in Johns Hopkins Uni- versity, Studies in historical and political science, 1902, pp. 64-79; Clark, "Railroads and navigation," in Memorial record of Alabama (1893), vol. 1; Acts, 1849-50, pp. 183-186, 347; 1851-52, p. 218; 1855-56, p. 13; 1857-58, p. 298; 1866-67, p. 4; 1868, pp. 472, 490; 1869-70, p. 448; 1871-72, p. 328; 1872-73, p. 139; Senate Journal, 1868, pp. 360-361.

MENTAL DEFECTIVES. Those persons who, by reason of anatomical or pathological conditions occurring in the brain, at or be- fore birth, are unable to compete success- fully with their normal associates in play, study, or work. Adults who are unable to make a living individually, but require guid- ance, are aments, without mind, as distin- guished from dements, who have lost their minds. A person with almost a normal mina, but having the knowledge only of a child of twelve years, is a moron; one with the mind of a child seven to twelve years is feeble- minded; one with the mentality of three to seven years is an imbecile; and a person who retains the development of two years is an idiot. Institutional care for mental defect- ives is largely limited in Alabama to the in- sane. However, the insane hospitals, admira- bly conducted and well equipped, have not always carefully observed the scientific lines

of demarcation, and have been liberal in the admission of patients. There are no special institutions for idiots, the imbecile, feeble- minded, morons or aments.

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History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II, Part 47

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: 724

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: 724