USA > Alabama > History of Alabama and dictionary of Alabama biography, Volume II > Part 59
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The rocks which underly the county are of the Tertiary formation, aluminous and siliceous sandstone of the Burkstone group occur in the northern section of the county, while white limestone underlies the south- ern part. Sand, pebbles and loam belong- ing to the Stratified Drift formation are spread over these older rock, and help in the formation of the greater part of the soils.
The principal varieties of soil are the brown loam, gray and red sandy soils. The prevailing series are the Orangeburg, Nor- folk, Susquehanna, and Ruston in the up- lands, and Kalmia, Cahaba, Leaf, and Ocklo- cknee in the Alluvial or bottom lands. The principal crops are cotton, corn, oats, peas, potatoes, sorghum, sugar cane, truck crops, feed and forage crops, such as peanuts, vel- vet beans, soy beans, and grasses. Fruits and nuts also grow well on certain soils. The timber and turpentine industry is one of considerable importance. The creeks of the county are Big Flat, Limestone, with its four prongs, Shoal, Bush Walker's and Dow- ney's, Randons, Bagleys' and Hallingers. The forest growth consists of long leaf pine, white, black and red oaks, poplar, ash, beech and sweet gum.
Aboriginal and Later History-The coun- try originally embraced in this county, con- tained all lands ceded by the Creeks at Fort Jackson, August 9, 1814. Aboriginal evidences are found in a few places on Ala- bama River, on Little River and occasionally in the interior sections of the county. Half mile from the mouth of Little River, on the left hand side going up, is a burial mound. One mile south of Potts Landing on Alabama River is a small mound. Near Nancy Harris landing is to be found remains of an Indian cemetery, however practically all indications
have been washed away now. Mr. Clarence B. Moore, in 1901, secured some fine shell ornaments and characteristic pottery from the Little River mound. On December 7, 1815, the Territorial Legislature named Fort Clai- borne as the place for holding courts. It con- tinued to be the seat of justice until 1832, when it was succeeded by Monroeville. In 1818 election precincts were established in the county at Choctaw Bluff, Lower Peach Tree, at Claiborne, and one near Burnt Corn.
The most notable event of the Creek war, which took place in Monroe County, was the Canoe Fight (q. v.), at the mouth of Ran- dons Creek, November 12, 1813.
For sketches of prominent men who have lived in this county, see Biographical volumes.
Agricultural Statistics .- From U. S. Census 1910:
Farms and Farmers.
Number of all farms, 4,613.
Color and nativity of farmers: Native white, 1,953.
Foreign-born white, 10.
Negro and other nonwhite, 2,650.
Number of farms, classified by size:
Under 3 acres, 3.
3 to 9 acres, 345.
10 to 19 acres, 771.
20 to 49 acres, 1,943.
50 to 99 acres, 651.
100 to 174 acres,
446.
175 to 259 acres, 162.
260 to 499 acres, 164.
500 to 999 acres, 79.
1,000 acres and over, 49.
Land and Farm Area.
Approximate land area, 647,680 acres. Land in farms, 439,289 acres.
Improved land in farms, 164,765 acres.
Woodland in farms, 247,241 acres.
Other unimproved land in farms, 27,283 acres.
Value of Farm Property.
All farm property, $5,911,390.
Land, $3,316,666.
Buildings, $1,244,466.
Implements and machinery, $298,251.
Domestic animals, poultry, and bees, $1,- 052,007.
Average values: All property per farm, $1,281.
Land and buildings per farm, $989.
Land per acre, $7.55.
Domestic Animals (Farms and Ranges). Farms reporting domestic animals, 4,180. Domestic animals, value, $1,023,599. Cattle: total, 22,594; value, $273,286. Dairy cows only, 7,540.
Horses: total, 2,538; value, $249,163. Mules: total, 3,202; value, $420,506. Asses and burros: total, 18; value, $1,730. Swine: total, 28,467; value, $76,096. Sheep: total, 974; value, $1,636.
Goats: total, 2,270; value, $1.182.
1033
HISTORY OF ALABAMA
Poultry and Bees. All poultry, 76,742; value, $24,944. Bee colonies, 3,125; value, $3,464.
Farms Operated by Owners. Number of farms, 1,801.
Per cent of all farms, 39.0. Land in farms, 335,096 acres. Improved land in farms, 94,692 acres.
Land and buildings, $3,175,124.
Farms of owned land only, 1,423. Farms of owned and hired land, 378. Native white owners, 1,165.
Foreign-born white, 4.
Negro and other nonwhite, 632.
Farms Operated by Tenants. Number of farms, 2,808. Per cent of all farms, 60.9. Land in farms, 88,882 acres.
Improved land in farms, 69,223 acres.
Land and buildings, $1,241,283.
Share tenants, 492.
Share cash-tenants, 65.
Cash tenants, 2,036. Tenure not specified, 215. Native white tenants, 784.
Foreign-born white, 6.
Negro and other nonwhite, 2,018.
Farms Operated by Managers.
Number of farms, 4. Land in farms, 15,311.
Improved land in farms, 850.
Value of land and buildings, $144,725.
Live Stock Products. Dairy Products.
Milk: Produced, 1,012,812; sold, 1,720 gal- lons. Cream sold,
Butter fat sold, 230 pounds.
Butter: Produced, 296,467; sold, 12,040
pounds. Cheese: Produced,
Dairy products, excluding home use of milk and cream, $64,367.
Sale of dairy products, $2,923.
Poultry Products.
Poultry: Number raised, 186,370; sold, 28,581.
Eggs: Produced, 273,810; sold, 61,003 dozens. Poultry and eggs produced, $86,925. Sale of poultry and eggs, $16,452.
Honey and Wax. Honey produced, 27,698 pounds. Wax produced, 2,454 pounds. Value of honey and wax produced, $2,662.
Wool, Mohair, and Goat Hair. Wool, fleeces shorn, 358. Mohair and goat hair, fleeces shorn, -. Wool and mohair produced, $182.
Domestic Animals Sold or Slaughtered. Calves-Sold or slaughtered, 269.
Other cattle-Sold or slaughtered, 5,089. Horses, mules, and asses and burros-Sold, 285.
Swine-Sold or slaughtered, 11,195. Sheep and goats-Sold or slaughtered, 223. Sale of animals, $84,442. Value of animals slaughtered, $127,039.
Value of All Crops.
Total, $2,526,974.
Cereals, $406,958.
Other. grains and seeds, $36,094.
Hay and forage, $35,293.
Vegetables, $156,452.
Fruits and nuts, $16,712.
All other crops, $1,875,465.
Selected Crops (Acres and Quantity).
Cereals: total, 38,421 acres; 423,208 bushels. Corn, 35,316 acres; 385,276 bushels. Oats, 3,101 acres; 37,882 bushels. Wheat,
Rye, -.
Kafir corn and milo maize, 2 acres; 10 bushels.
Rice, 2 acres; 40 bushels. Other grains:
Dry peas, 2,138 acres; 10,385 bushels.
Dry edible beans, 11 acres; 55 bushels. Peanuts, 1,539 acres; 17,463 bushels.
Hay and forage: total, 2,607 acres; 2,571 tons.
All tame or cultivated grasses, 1,939 acres; 1,908 tons.
Wild, salt, and prairie grasses, 135 acres; 146 tons.
Grains cut green, 340 acres; 329 tons. Coarse forage, 193 acres; 188 tons. Special crops: Potatoes, 87 acres; 5,897 bushels.
Sweet potatoes and yams, 1,437 acres; 115,- 709 bushels.
Tobacco, 110 pounds. Cotton, 65,954 acres; 21,358 bales.
Cane sugar, 699 acres; 6,743 tons. Syrup made, 88,995 gallons. Cane-sorghum, 5 acres; 29 tons.
Syrup made, 390 gallons.
Fruits and Nuts.
Orchard fruits: total, 33,782 trees; 12,403 bushels.
Apples, 2,635 trees; 1,997 bushels. Peaches and nectarines, 27,230 trees; 7,628 bushels. Pears, 992 trees; 2,019 bushels. Plums and prunes, 2,779 trees; 661 bushels.
Cherries, 29 trees; 19 bushels.
Quinces, 22 trees; 12 bushels. Grapes, 300 vines; 5,854 pounds. Tropical fruits: total, 2,352 trees. Figs, 2,167 trees; 62,833 pounds. Oranges, 129 trees; 10 boxes. Small fruits: total, 2 acres; 1,630 quarts. Strawberries, 2 acres; 1,344 quarts. Nuts: total, 1,088 trees; 11,615 pounds. Pecans, 1,005 trees; 10,588 pounds.
1034
HISTORY OF ALABAMA
Labor, Fertilizer and Feed.
Labor- Farms reporting, 1.689. Cash expended, $113,581. Rent and board furnished, $33,441.
Fertilizer- Farms reporting, 3,465. Amount expended, $171,547. Feed-Farms reporting, 2,023. Amount expended, $100,241.
Receipts from sale of feedahle crops, $7,365. Domestic Animals Not on Farms.
Inclosures reporting domestic animals, 134.
Value of domestic animals, $40,752.
Cattle: total, 568; value, $12,109. Number of dairy cows, 163.
Horses: total, 118; value, $16,170.
Mules, and asses and burros: total, 64; value, $11,125. Swine: total, 243; value, $1,329.
Sheep and goats: total, 14; value, $19.
Post Offices and Towns .- Revised to July 1, 1919, from U. S. Official Postal Guide. Fig- ures indicate the number of rural routes from that office.
Beatrice Monroeville (ch.)-1
Bermuda
Mount Pleasant
Buena Vista
Mous
Burnt Corn
Nada wah
Chestnut
Natchez
Claiborne
Perdue Hill-1
Drewry-1
Peterman
Eliska-1 Pineville
Excel
Roy-2
Finchhurg
Tinela
Franklin
Tunnel Springs
Hixon
Turkestan
Jeddo-1
Uriah
Mexia
Vredenburgh
Monroe
Wainwright
Population .- Statistics from decennial pub- lications of the U. S. Bureau of the Census.
White.
Negro.
Total.
1820
5,014
3,824
8,838
1830
5,165
3,617
8,782
1840
5,370
5,310
10,680
1850
5,648
6,365
12,013
1860
6,878
8,751
15,667
1870
6,625
7,572
14,214
1880
7,780
9,234
17,014
1890
8,379
10,608
18,990
1900
10,529
13,116
23,666
1910
11,137
15,727
27,155
1920
28,884
Delegates to Constitutional Conventions .-
1819-John Murphy; John Watkins; James Pickens; Thomas Wiggins.
1861-Lyman Gibbons.
1865-S. J. Cumming.
1867-M. D. Brainard.
1875-R. C. Torrey, John S. Dickinson.
1901-E. R. Morrissett; L. W. Locklin;
J. H. Barefield.
Senators .-
1819-20-John Watkins.
1821-2-William Wingate.
1822-3- John Murphy.
1825-6-Arthur P. Baghy.
1827-8-Thomas Evans.
1828-9-Neil Smith.
1830-31-Neil Smith.
1833-4- Samuel W. Wilkerson.
1836-7-Neil Smith.
1839-40-S. S. Andrews. 1842-3-John Watkins.
1845-6-John Morrissett.
1847-8-John Morrissett.
1851-2-William Perry Leslie.
1853-4-James S. Dickinson.
1855-6-James S. Jenkins.
1857-8-Noah A. Agee.
1859-60-Stephen B. Cleveland.
1863-4-Robert Broadnax.
1865-6-John Y. Kilpatrick.
1868-R. N. Barr.
1871-2-R. N. Barr.
1872-3-J. D. Driesbach. 1873-J. D. Drieshach.
1874-5-J. D. Drieshach.
1875-6-J. D. Driesbach.
1876-7-R. C. Torrey.
1878-9-R. C. Torrey.
1880-1-W. Y. Titcomb. 1882-3-W. Y. Titcomb.
1884-5-J. M. Davidson.
1886-7-J. M. Davidson.
1888-9-Daniel Williams.
1890-1-Daniel Williams.
1892-3-W. B. Kemp.
1894-5-W. B. Kemp.
1896-7-C. S. Lee.
1898-9-C. S. Lee. 1899 (Spec.)-C. S. Lee.
1900-01-D. D. Hall.
1903-Daniel Dillon Hall.
1907-O. O. Bayles.
1907 (Spec.)-O. O. Bayles.
1909 (Spec.)-O. O. Bayles (deceased) .
1911-E. M. Lovelace.
1915-H. H. Holmes.
1919-Riley Kelly.
Representatives .-
1819-20-James Dellet; P. Harrison; G. W. Owen; W. Bates; S. Dale.
1820-1-J. Murphy; J. H. Draughn; G. W. Owen; T. Evans; S. Dale.
1821 (called)-J. Murphy; J. H. Draughn; G. W. Owen; T. Evans; S. Dale.
1821-2-J. Dellet; J. Carr; T. Evans; Arthur P. Bagby; S. Dale.
1822-3-John Gayle; A. P. Baghy; H. L. Reviere.
1823-4-John Gayle; Samuel Dale; W. McCornico.
1824-5-Arthur P. Baghy; Samuel Dale; J. W. Moore.
1825-6-James Dellet; John W. Moore.
1826-7-Samuel Dale; Pink 'A. Edwards. 1827-8-D. R. McRae; T. Wiggins. 1828-9-Samuel Dale;
Enoch Parsons; Benjamin C. Foster.
1829-30-Samuel Dale; Enoch Parsons; John Morrissett.
1830-1-James Dellet; John Faulk; Na- than Coker.
1831-2-James Dellet; John Faulk; Wil- liam Y. Haynes.
1
HISTORY OF ALABAMA
1035
1832 (called)-John Morrissett; Nathan Coker; Benjamin F. Porter.
1832-3-John Morrissett; Nathan Coker; Benjamin F. Porter.
1833-4-John Morrissett; Samuel Dubose; Benjamin F. Porter.
1834-5-Arthur P. Bagby; Benjamin F. Porter.
1835-6-Arthur P. Bagby; John Faulk.
1836-7-Arthur P. Bagby; S. R. Andrews.
1837 (called)-Arthur P. Bagby; S. R. Andrews.
1837-8-S. S. Andress; J. O. Rawls.
1838-9-S. R. Andrews; S. Crawford.
1839-40-L. A. Kidd; S. Crawford.
1840-1-L. A. Kidd; E. T. Broughton.
1841 (called)-L. A. Kidd; E. T. Brough- ton.
1841-2-L. A. Kidd; E. T. Broughton. 1842-3-John Morissett; Cun-
ningham.
1843-4-John Morrissett; W. B. H. How- ard.
1844-5-John Morrissett; William B. H. Howard.
1845-6-Aaron B. Cooper.
1847-8-Aaron B. Cooper.
1849-50-Edward L. Smith.
1851-2-C. McCaskill.
1853-4-Noah A. Agee.
1855-6-Samuel G. Portis.
1857-8-F. E. Richardson.
1859-60-H. O. Abney.
1861 (1st called)-H. O. Abney.
1861 (2d called)-F. H. Liddell.
1861-2-F. H. Liddell.
1862 (called)-F. H. Liddell.
1862-3-F. H. Liddell.
1863 (called)-Samuel J. Cumming.
1863-4-Samuel J. Cumming.
1864 (called)-Samuel J. Cumming.
1864-5-Samuel J. Cumming.
1865-6-W. W. McMillan.
1866-7-W. W. McMillan.
1868-D. L. Neville.
1869-70-J. J. Parker.
1870-1-J. M. Lindsay.
1871-2-J. M. Lindsay.
1872-3-S. H. Barnett.
1873-S. A. Barnett.
1874-5-S. A. Barnett.
1876-7- Robert Cunningham.
1878-9-W. F. Nettles.
1880-1-W. T. Nettles.
1882-3-W. W. McMillan.
1884-5 -- B. J. Skinner.
1886-7-N. J. Stallworth.
1888-9-W. B. Kemp.
1890-1-W. B. Kemp.
1892-3-M. R. Rogers.
1894-5-W. G. McCorvey.
1896-7-B. L. Hibbard.
1898-9-O. O. Bayles.
1899 (Spec.)-O. O. Bayles.
1900-01-James W. Jones.
1903-Thomas Stephen Wiggins.
1907-John McDuffie.
1907 (Spec.)-John McDuffie.
1909 (Spec.)-John McDuffie.
1911-J. W. Jones.
1915-J. K. Kyser.
1919-F. W. Hare.
REFERENCES .- Toulmin, Digest (1823), index; Acts of Ala .; Brewer, Alabama, p. 433; Berney, Handbook (1892), p. 317; Riley, Alabama as it is (1893), p. 210; Northern Alabama (1888), p. 237; Alabama, 1909 (Ala. Dept. of Ag. and Ind., Bulletin 27), p. 175; Alabama land book (1916), p. 118; Ala. Official and Statistical Register, 1903-1915, 5 vols .; Ala. Anthropological Society, Handbook (1910); Geol. Survey of Ala., Agri- cultural features of the State (1883) ; The Val- ley Regions of Alabama, parts 1 and 2 (1896, 1897), and Underground Water resources of Ala- bama (1907).
MONROEVILLE. County seat of Monroe County, on the Gulf, Florida & Alabama Railroad in the W. 12 of the SW. 14 of sec. 36, T. 7, R. 7, 1 mile southwest of Walkers Creek, about 40 miles north of Flomaton, and 22 miles west of Evergreen. Popula- tion: 1872-250; 1880-400; 1890-400; 1900-422; 1910-616; 1916-1,000. It was incorporated as a town, March 4, 1901, and in 1909 adopted the municipal code of 1907. The corporate limits now extend 1 mile each way from the courthouse. The town has no municipal buildings nor public utility plants, but it has 5 miles of graveled streets and sidewalks. Its bonded indebted- ness is $7,300, issued in 1910 to aid in con- struction of the Monroe County High School, and payable in instalments of $500 per annum with interest at 5 per cent. The Monroe County Bank (State) is its only banking institution. The Monroe Journal, a Demo- cratic weekly, established in 1866, and the Jeweler and Optician, a quarterly trade jour- nal established in 1912, are published there. Its industries are a sawmill, a ginnery, a gristmill, a fertilizer plant, a machine shop, lumber mills, and a privately owned water- works plant installed in 1903. It is the lo- cation of the Monroe County High School, whose building was erected in 1910 at a cost of $12,000.
The first settler near this locality, was Major Walker, who settled in 1815, between the present site of Monroeville and Burnt Corn, on a small creek, which now bears his name. In 1822 he built the first gristmill, using water power. He was soon joined by James Grace, Joel Lee, the Morrisette, Mc- Duffy, Hunter, Burns, Warren and Bagby families, who settled on the 'Old Wolf Trail," the Indian path that led from Fort Claiborne on the Alabama, via Burnt Corn, to the Chat- tahoochee River. The community was known as "Walker's Mill and Store," until 1832, when the county seat was changed from Clai- borne to Monroeville, the new seat of justice being named in honor of the county, which had been named for James Monroe, afterward President.
Samuel Dale, called the Daniel Boone of Alabama, was the first tax collector of Mon- roe County. He moved his home from Clai-
1036
HISTORY OF ALABAMA
borne to Monroeville. William Weatherford lived the quiet life of a farmer in the south- ern part of Monroe County.
REFERENCES .- Acts, 1900-1901, pp. 2308-2315; Brewer, Alabama (1872), p. 434; Berney, Hand- book (1892), p. 317; Northern Alabama (1888), p. 237; Riley, Alabama (1887), p. 188; and Conecuh County (1881), pp. 59, 60, 85; Polk's Alabama gazetteer, 1888-9, p. 556; Alabama Of- ficial and Statistical Register, 1915.
MONTALA MANUFACTURING CO., Mont- gomery. See Cotton Manufacturing.
MONTEVALLO. Incorporated town and educational center, in the southwest corner of Shelby County, in secs. 20, 21, and 29, T. 22, S., R. 3 W., and secs. 3 and 4, T. 24, R. 12 E., on the Southern Railway, about 6 miles west of Calera, 15 miles southwest of Columbiana, and about 50 miles south of Bir- mingham. Altitude: 418 feet. Population: 1870-793 whites, 484 colored, total 1,276; 1880-402; 1910-923.
"Wilson's Hill" was settled about 1815. In 1822 a survey placed a part of the place, and much adjacent land, in the tract donated to the State university. The board of trus- tees surveyed a town on this land, and under- took its development, but without success. The present town of Montevallo, established on the same site, was incorporated March 3, 1848. A new charter was issued by the legis- lature, December 11, 1900. It is now oper- ated under the municipal code of 1907. It has a jail and school buildings, privately owned electric light and waterworks plants, and 1/4 mile of paved sidewalks. Its tax rate is 5 mills, and its bonded indebtedness $10,000, maturing in 1924 and drawing in- terest at 6 per cent. The Merchants and Planters Bank (State) is its only bank. The Bulletin of the Alabama Girls' Technical In- stitute, a quarterly established in 1907, is published there. Its industries are an ice factory, electric light plant, waterworks plant, a flour mill, a gristmill, 2 cotton gin- neries, a cotton warehouse, 2 limekilns, a cooperage factory, a sawmill, a lumber yard and planing mill, and 2 large coal mines. Its churches are Methodist Episcopal, South, established in 1818, Baptist, organized in 1820, Cumberland Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Presbyterian. The Alabama Girls' Tech- nical Institute was established at Montevallo in 1892.
The locality was settled by Jesse Wilson, one of Andrew Jackson's soldiers. In 1817 he was joined by Edmund King, James T. Walker, James Woodruff, and Onediah Love- lady. Later arrivals were Samuel Mardis and Daniel Watrous. Other pioneer settlers were the Joshua West, Henry Harless, Powell, Hearne, and Alexander Nelson families.
See Girls' Technical Institute, Alabama. REFERENCES .- Acts, 1848, pp. 161-162; Brewer, Alabama (1872), pp. 519-520; Armes, Story of coal and iron in Alabama (1910); Northern Alabama (1888), p. 160; West, History of Methodism in Alabama (1893), pp. 119-127;
Polk's Alabama gazetteer, 1888-9, p. 557; Ala- bama Official and Statistical Register, 1915.
MONTEVALLO MALE INSTITUTE. Pri- vate institution for the education of young men, was established in the fall of 1851 at Montevallo. The act of incorporation was approved Feb- ruary 10, 1852, and named Edmund King, George D. Shortridge, John S. Storrs and Daniel E. Watrous, associates and their suc- cessors in office-a body corporate by the name and style of "The president and board of trustees of the Montevallo male institute." The following powers were delegated to them: "to receive donations, borrow money, pur- chase, have and hold real estate, not to exceed in value the sum of $20,000, and sell the same; to sue and be sued, plead and be im- pleaded, receive subscriptions of stock, re- cover all debts due or owing or belonging to said institution as property thereof."
The lot on which the school stood was purchased from the University of Alabama, "the lands in this vicinity having been in- cluded in the selection under the Federal grant, and the town having been laid off by the trustees of the University." The bricks used in the erection of the building were baked on the grounds; the building was laid off by Gen. C. M. Shelley. The funds of the corporation were evidently exhausted before the completion of the building, for George R. Allen obtained a judgment for work and labor as carpenter, and this execution caused the sale of the property, which was pur- chased by the incorporators of the school. The operations of the Institute must not have been successful, for it is found that by an act approved February 6, 1858, "The Monte- vallo Male and Female Collegiate Institutes of the Union Synod of the Cumberland Pres- byterian Church" was incorporated with the following board of trustees: Joseph D. Nelly, Edward Davis, John P. Morgan, James Mc- Amis, H. M. Jones, Edmund Cobb, A. S. Woolley, Needham Lee, L. J. Hale, W. L. Prentice, E. M. Carlton, Samuel Acton, Sr., and T. H. Booth. Their powers were the same as those of the Montevallo Male Insti- tute. Separate male and female departments were maintained. The exercises of the school were suspended on account of the War of Secession. Later the original Male Institute was turned over to Rev. Wm. H. Meredith, the Synod having thenceforth no connection with it. "The Montevallo Female. Institute" was reestablished and conducted several years by Dr. Meredith and his wife. The two in- stitutions were later consolidated and con- ducted by Mrs. Meredith after her husband's death. In 1885 the school closed and prop- erty was abandoned for several years, when it was purchased by Dr. Howard Griggs, who later moved to Talladega. In 1895 an option was secured on this and the adjoining prop- erty which was offered as a location for the Alabama Girls Industrial Institute (q. v.) The offer was finally accepted and the old Montevallo Male Institute became the nucleus of that school.
1037
HISTORY OF ALABAMA
REFERENCES .- Acts of the Legislature (see supra); sketch of Alabama Girls Technical Institute (q. v.) ; mss. Letter from E. S. Lyman.
MONTEZUMA UNIVERSITY. A private school for the education of white males and females, located at Bessemer. This institu- tion was founded in 1895, and was chartered by act of November 30, 1896, being the result of the joint action of the Bessemer Land and Improvement Company and the Citizens of Bessemer. The first trustees were Rev. E. H. Hawkins, Rev. W. R. Ivey, Rev. H. W. Flynn, T. S. Chandler, W. S. Winter, H. M. McNut, Rev. J. A. B. Lovett, S. C. Carson, E. M. Robinson. The college buildings, two in number, were located in the center of a ten acre campus. They were heated with steam and were well lighted, ventilated, and supplied with running water. The students boarded in the college building. The follow- ing courses were offered: preparatory, aca- demic and post graduate, commerce, music, art, expression, fine arts, medicine, pharmacy, and pedagogy. A good library was main- tained in connection with the school. Excel- lent laboratories were fitted with chemical and physical apparatus for the use of the students.
Organizations .- Corps of Cadets, Athletic association, and literary societies.
Presidents .- J. A. B. Lovett, 1895 -.
Presidents of the Trustees .- Rev. E. H. Hawkins, 1895 -.
REFERENCES .- Catalogues, 1895-1897.
MONTGOMERY. The capital of the State of Alabama. It is situated on the south bank of the Alabama River, in the north part of Montgomery County. It is located 40 miles southwest below the junction of the Coosa and Tallapoosa Rivers, and has water communication, all the year round, with Mo- bile 400 miles southwest. Montgomery is 96 miles southeast of Birmingham, and 175 miles southwest of Atlanta.
Altitude: 160 feet. Population: 1850- 4,728; 1860-8,843; 1870-10,588; 1880- 30,000; 1890-21,883; 1900-30,346; 1910 -38,136; 1916-50,000.
History .- Montgomery, the capital city of Alabama, marks its organized heginning from December 3, 1819, on which date it was in- corporated, and was so named by the first Legislature of the State of Alabama. The first settler on the site of the present city, of whom record is preserved, was Arthur Moore, who in 1814 erected his cabin on one of the bluffs of the river, just below or near the present union passenger station. In 1815 and 1816 other settlers drifted in, and by 1817, the locality had been visited by many enterprising home-seekers. At Milledgevile, Ga., in 1817, the lands of Montgomery County were put on sale. The lands in the immediate vicinity of the present city were purchased by a number of enterprising men, who fore- saw the advantages of the location. Among these were Andrew Dexter, who founded "New Philadelphia," George R. Clayton and asso-
ciates, who founded "East Alabama," and General John Scott and associates founded the town of "Alabama." These rival villages grew apace until 1819, when New Philadel- phia and East Alabama were incorporated, under the name "Montgomery." Later Ala- bama town was added.
Prior to the coming of the white man, and for generations, the region on the east side of the Alabama river embracing the capital city, was inhabited by an Indian tribe, known as the Alabamas or Alibamons. On the west side of the river were living their neighbors the Coshatties, who spoke the same language. These peoples, as is learned from linguistic evidence, were more nearly akin to the Choc- taws and Chickasaws than to the Muscogees. Like other Indians, they were mound build- ers. In the vicinity of Montgomery, are many relics of ancient Indian occupancy, as shell mounds, arrow-points, potsherds, etc. With- in the historic period six Indian towns were situated on the east side of the river, two of which are to be especially noted. One of these was "Towassa," located three miles be- low the present city, on the site of which the army of De Soto rested, September 6 to 13, 1540. The other was "lkanatchati," which signifies red earth, so called from the red soil of the lands. The capital city of Mont- gomery occupies the site of this ancient Ala- bama village.
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