USA > Georgia > Muscogee County > Columbus > Prominent incidents in the history of Columbus, Ga., from its first settlement in 1827 to Wilson's Raid, in 1865 > Part 18
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Before leaving Columbus, Gen. Winslow destroyed the rebel ram Jackson, nearly ready for sea, mounting six seven-inch guns, burned fifteen locomo- tives, two hundred and fifty cars, the railroad bridge and foot bridges, one hundred and fifteen thousand bales of cotton, four cotton factories, the navy yard, foundry, armory, sword and pistol factory, accoutrement shops, three paper mills, over a hundred thousand rounds of artillery ammunition, besides immense stores, of which no account could be taken. The rebels abandoned and burned the gun-boat Chattahoochee, twelve miles below Columbus.
COLUMBUS AS SHE NOW IS.
With the capture and partial destruction of Columbus by the Federal forces in 1865, ends our continuous history of the city. Much as other Southern cities suffered by the war, the loss of Columbus was probably greater than that of any other, for the reason that the great industrial establishments that afforded work and support to so many of her citizens were wholly destroyed, and all the cotton which the planters of the surrounding country had stored here, and which con- stituted their only available means of raising money where- with to continue their work, was burnt. But her recupera- tion since that time has, under all the circumstances, been most encouraging, if not surprising. Her cotton manufactur- ing business-her great distinctive industry-is now larger than it was at the time of the raid, embracing five distinct factories, running 1,020 looms and about 35,000 spindles. The Eagle and Phenix Factory-an immense establishment,
EAGLE
PHOENIXI MILLS
with three large factory buildings and a capital of $1,250,000 -- alone runs about 800 looms and 25,000 spindles. Besides the Eagle and Phenix, are the Columbus Factory, with 116
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NIDUSTRIES OF COLUMBUS.
Muscogee Mills.
looms ; the Muscogee, with 80; A. Clegg & Co.'s, with 30; and the Steam Cotton Mill, which has spindles only. These several manufacturing establishments consumed 8,500 bales of cotton for the year ending Sept. 1st, 1875, besides a large quantity of wool.
In addition to these manufactories, Columbus has several foundries, one of them having the largest iron works attached, south of Richmond ; also several sash factories, one gin fac- tory, two furniture manufactories, a very large agricultural implement factory, one stove manufactory, two flour mills, one kerosene oil refinery, and one railroad ma- chine shop. Four railroads terminate at Columbus. One of them, the North and South railroad, when com- pleted, will add new business to her trade, and will fur- nish a new and competing line to the West and the sea. Upon its line and upon the line of the Savannah and Mem- phis road, are the richest coal fields in the South, and iron beds of superior ore practically inexhaustible. The latter road will be, when completed to the Tennessee river, the shortest line from the northwest to the Atlantic. Arrange- ments have been effected which guarantee its early comple- tion. When these two roads are built, Columbus will no doubt add to the busy whirr of her cotton spindles the ruddy glow of a dozen rolling mills.
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PROSPERITY OF COLUMBUS.
With the advance of cotton manufactories there will spring up industries for the production of every description of ma- chinery used therein, and in a dozen years this interest alone should double the population of Columbus. Its growth will be forwarded by the fact of its excellent health and remarkable freedom from epidemics, which have year after year scourged many of its neighboring cities. Its public schools are annu- ally attracting population. They are justly the pride of the city. Extensive gas works have been in operation for many years. Columbus, already the largest city in western Geor- gia, enjoys a commercial importance which is annually in- creasing. From four railroads and her river, Columbus receives an immense business from as reliable a population as resides in Alabama, Georgia or Florida. Her business men have the facilities offered by four banks of deposit-one National and three State, to-wit: Chattahoochee National Bank, Merchants and Mechanics Bank, Georgia Home Sav- ings Bank, Eagle and Phenix Savings Bank. There are also two daily and weekly papers-the Enquirer-Sun, being a con- solidation of the old Enquirer and Sun and Times; and the Times, more recently established.
Columbus also has one of the largest and most popular Fire Insurance Companies in the State-the "Georgia Home," which ranks second in amount of its policies, and is
BANK DOG
EOB CIA HOME QUILDIN
justly regarded as one of the most responsible institutions of the kind in the South.
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WATER POWER.
Nearly every denomination has erected houses of worship. The Baptist, Episcopal, Presbyterian and Catholic, have each commodious churches, and the Methodist three. In addition, the colored people have constructed four comfortable churches. The Fire department consists of two steam and two hand engines, and one hook and ladder company. The city gov- ernment is conservative, and is economically administered. The police are handsomely uniformed and effective, and law, order and quiet are enjoyed by all classes of citizens.
The population of the city and its suburbs (embracing an area within a mile of the court-house in every direction) is not less than 15,000-all of whom do business or trade in the city.
The immense unused water power of Columbus constitutes one of her great resources of future growth and prosperty. In this respect no city of the Union surpasses her. In his report of an instrumental survey made by Col. L. P. Grant, who is recognized by the profession as one of the ablest civil engineers in the South, that gentleman says :
"The total fall of the Chattahoochee, between West Point and the foot of the fall at Columbus, is three hundred and sixty (360) feet. The fall is not uniform, but occurs in successive shoals, separated by stretches of comparatively slack water. About one-third (one hundred and twenty (120) feet,) of this descent occurs in three and a half miles, termi- nating at Columbus."
The single power available immediately at COLUMBUS, (120 feet,) affords fall and water enough, with improved applica- tion of power, and the use of improved machinery, TO DRIVE ONE AND A QUARTER MILLION SPINDLES, affording employ- ment for nearly sixty thousand (60,000) people, and forming a basis for a population of about half a million people.
With these great natural advantages, and with the start already secured in cotton manufacturing-taking the lead of any other city of the South in this respect-we may proudly hope that the "new era" of Columbus, which we date from the close of the late sectional war, will be more progressive and prosperous than her career of 37 years before that event.
APPENDIX.
HISTORY OF MASONRY IN COLUMBUS.
Columbian Lodge, F. and A. M., was organized under dispensation granted October 9, 1828, by Wm. Y. Hansell, Deputy Grand Master, upon petition of Luther Blake and eleven others. Luther Blake was appointed W. M., E. E. Bissell S. W., and Thos. G. Gordon J. W., and the first meeting was held October 22d, 1828.
A charter was granted by the Grand Lodge in December, 1828, and No. 28 assigned it. At the time of the Federal raid in April, 1865, the charter was lost, and its present charter was issued October 27, 1865, by the Grand Lodge in lieu of the one lost, no minute of the original having been recorded so that a duplicate could be obtained of it. Its number, 28, was retained until October, 1838, when it assumed number 8, and that, in December, 1849, was exchanged for number 7, which it still retains.
Oglethorpe Lodge was organized and had its first meeting December 4, 1845, with O. J. H. Dibble as W. M., V. R. Tommy S. W., and J. J. Sutton J. W. The exact date of dispensation, or by whom issued, is not found of record. The charter was issued by the Grand Lodge October, 1846, and No. 47 given it.
Lovick Pierce Lodge was organized under dispensation from A. W. Red- ding, Deputy Grand Master, dated February 11, 1865, upon petition of F. M. Brooks and thirty-nine others. F. M. Brooks was appointed W. M., W. E. Sandeford S. W., and H. S. Smith, jr., J. W., and the first meeting held February 16, 1865. It was regularly chartered by the Grand Lodge in Octo- ber, 1865, as No. 250.
In 1867 the three Lodges above named, upon consultation among them- selves, agreed to unite their whole membership in one Lodge, retaining the name of the oldest, Columbian No. 7, and the charters of Oglethorpe No. 47, and Lovick Pierce No. 250 to be surrendered to the Grand Lodge. In pursuance of such action Oglethorpe and Lovick Pierce Lodges held their last meetings on 30th November, 1867, when their books and rolls were ordered turned over to Columbian Lodge, and they are now (1875) working harmoniously, under John King as W. M., A. M. Brannon S. W., and D. Wolfson J. W., with a membership of about 150.
James Kivlin, one of our oldest residents, was the first Mason who affil- iated with Columbian Lodge after its organization, June 13, 1829. But few of those who received the degrees in the earliest periods of its history are now living, though its records show some who are still alive in this vicinity.
Darley Chapter, Royal Arch Masons, was organized under dispensation
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HISTORY OF MASONRY IN COLUMBUS.
from Wm. Schley, Grand High Priest, dated May 24, 1841, on petition of Philip T. Schley and eight others. Philip T. Schley was appointed H. P., Rhodam A. Greene, King, and Abraham Levison, Scribe, and the first meet- ing was held June 5, 1841. Its charter was granted June 20, 1842, and it des- ignated as No. 7.
Hope Council No. 4, R. & S. M., had its records and property destroyed by fire on 9th of October, 1846, and the time and name of its organization is not definitely known. It is supposed to have been organized about 1842, soon after Darley Chapter. Its first meeting after the fire was April 17th, 1847. It is now working under Hiram Middlebrook, T. I. G. M .; A. Wittich, I. H. T., and L. G. Scheussler, I. H. A.
St. Aldemar Commandery No. 3, K. T., was organized under dispensation issued December 1st, 1857, by W. B. Hubbard, Grand Master of Templars in U. S., upon petition of M. N. Clark and eleven others. Michael N. Clark was appointed E. C .; Phillip T. Gittinger, Generalissimo, and James M. Bivins, Captain General. The Charter was authorized to be issued by the Grand Encampment in September, 1859. but was only issued January 23d, 1860, and the intervening time was caused by dispensation from B. B. French, Grand Master, dated January 10th, 1860.
Adoniram Lodge of Perfection was organized October 28th, 1870, under authority from Melchisedec Consistory No. 3, with M. M. Moore as Th. Pu. Grand Master, and twenty-four members.
Melchisedec Consistory No. 3 was organized July 19th, 1866, under dispen- sation dated July 9th, 1866, with John King as Ill. Commander in Chief, and fourteen members. It was regularly chartered May 4th, 1868, by the Su- preme Council at Charleston.
LOVERS' LEAP.
This is one of the most noted and romantic spots in the vicinity of Columbus, and still possesses an interest for both residents and transient visitors, on account of its natural grandeur and the Indian legend connected with it. The fol- lowing is the description of the locality and legend connected with it:
This romantic locale is a high and ragged cliff, which terminates an ascend- ing knoll of dark rocks, and projects boldly into the Chattahoochee River. Its summit commands one of the most magnificent displays of river scenery which Nature could present, or which Art could picture. On the left the river pursues its downward course to Columbus, in a straight line. Its flow is rapid and wild, broken by rocks, over which the water frets and foams in
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LOVERS' LEAP.
angry surges. The bed of the stream is that of a deep ravine, its walls lofty and irregular cliffs, covered to their verge with majestic forest growth. From this point the city of Columbus is but partially visible. At the "Leap," the river makes a sudden turn and forms an angle with its course below, flowing in a narrow channel so regularly lined with rocks on both sides and of such uniform width as to resemble a canal. A short distance above it makes an- other right angle and resumes its old course.
In the early part of the present century, this region was inhabited by two powerful tribes of Indians. Rivals were they, and, with numbers equal, and alike proud names, well they vied with each other. There was no tribe among all the powerful nation of the Creeks who boasted of their powers be- fore a Cusseta or a Coweta. But they were not friends, for who of those proud red men would bend before the acknowledged superiority of the other? It may have been a small matter from which their jealousy sprung, but the tiny thing had been cheerished, till a serpent-like hatred hissed at the sound of the other's name.
The proud Chief of the Cussetas was now become an old man, and much was he venerated by all who rallied at his battle-cry. The boldest heart in all his tribe quailed before his angry eye, and the proudest did him reverence. The old man had outlived his own sons. One by one had the Great Spirit called them from their hunting grounds, and in the flush of their manhood they had gone to the spirit-land. Yet he was not alone. The youngest of his children, the dark-eyed Mohina, was still sheltered in his bosom, and all his love for the beautiful in life was bestowed upon her,-ah, and rightly too, for the young maiden rivalled in grace the bounding fawn, and the young warriors said of her that the smile of the Great Spirit was not so beautiful. While yet a child she was betrothed to the young Eagle of the Cowetas, the proud scoin of their warrior Chief. But stern hatred had stifled kindly feel- ings in the hearts of all save these two young creatures, and the pledged word was broken when the smoke of the calumet was extinguished. Mohina no longer dared to meet the young Chief openly, and death faced them when they sat in a lone, wild trysting-place, neath the starry blazonry of mid- night's dark robe. Still they were undaunted, for pure love dwelt in their hearts, and base fear crouched low before it, and went afar from them to hide in grosser souls. Think not the boy-god changes his arrows when he seeks the heart of the red man. Nay, rather with truer aim and finer point does the winged thing speed from his bow, and deeply the subtle poison sinks in the young heart, while the dark cheek glows with love's proper hue. The , deer bounded gladly by when the lovers met, and felt he was free, while the bright-eyed maiden leaned upon the bosom of the Young Eagle. Their youth- ful hearts hoped in the future, though all in vain, for time served but to ren- der more fierce that hostile rivalry, more rank than deadly hatred, which ex- isted between the tribes. Skirmishes were frequent amid their hunters, and open hostilities seemed inevitable.
And now it was told by some who had peered through the tangled under- wood and matted foliage of those dim woods, that the Coweta had pressed
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LOVERS' LEAP.
the maiden to his heart in those lone places, and that strange words and pas- sionate were even now breathed by him to her ear. Then the hunters of the Cussetas sprang from their couches and made earnest haste to the dark glen. With savage yell and impetuous rush they bounded before the lovers. They fled, and love and terror added wings to their flight. For a while they dis- tanced their pursuers. But the strength of Mohina failed her in a perilous moment, and had not the Young Eagle snatched her to his fast-beating heart, the raging enemy had made sure their fate. He rushed onward up the nar- row defile before him. It led he forgot whither. In a few moments he stood on the verge of this fearful height. Wildly the maiden clung to him, and even then, in that strange moment of life, his heart throbbed proudly beneath his burden. The bold future alone was before him; there was no return. Already the breath of one of the pursuers, a hated rival, came quick upon his cheek, and the bright-gleaming tomahawk shone before him. One momemt he gazed on him, and triumph flashed in the eye of the young Chief, and then without a shudder he sprang into the seething waters below. Still the young maiden clung to him, nor yet did the death struggle part them.
The mad waves dashed fearfully over them, and their loud wail was a fit- ting requiem to their departing spirits. The horror-stricken warriors gazed wildly into the foaming torrent, then dashed with reckless haste down the declivity, to bear the sad tidings to the old Chief. He heard their tale in silence. But sorrow was on his spirit, and it was broken. Henceforth his seat was unfilled by the council fire, and its red light gleamed fitfully upon his grave.,
AN OLD REMINISCENCE.
We make below an extract from Gen. Thos. S. Wood- ward's "Reminiscences of the Creek or Muscogee Indians." It is older than any of the events referred to in our history of Columbus, but refers to localities and people mentioned therein and familiar to our older citizens, and may therefore be interesting in this connection :
The entry of Gen. LaFayette into Alabama was the most imposing show I witnessed while I lived in the State. In 1824, I think it was, LaFayette was looked for in Alabama. I was the first and oldest Brigadier General in Ala- bama, (after it became a State.) Gen. Wm. Taylor, I think, was the oldest Major General ; and Israel Pickens was Governor. There may have been his equal, but there never has been his superior in that office since Alabama be- came a State. At the time LaFayette was expected, Gen. Taylor was absent, I think, in Mobile. The Indians were a little soured, from a treaty that had been, or was about being made with the Georgians. Gov. Pickens requested
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AN OLD REMINISCENCE.
me to take an escort and conduct LaFayette through the nation. The Hon. James Abercrombie then commanded the Montgomery Troop, and Gen. Monroe of Claiborne, commanded the Monroe Troop, both of whom volun- teered their services. Before the escort left Alabama, (which then extended only to Line Creek,) Gen. Taylor arrived and took the command.
That was before the day of platforms and conventions-men lived on their own money. You must guess then there was some patriotic feeling along, for there were between two and three hundred persons, all bearing their own expenses. Some in going and coming had to travel 400, and none less than 200 miles. Besides the military, there were a number of the most respectable citi- zens of Alabama-among whom were Boling Hall, ex-member of Congress, ex-Gov. Murphy, Jno. D. Bibb, Jno. W. Freeman and Col. Jas. Johnston, one of the best men that ever lived or died. If there are any such men these days, I have not had the pleasure of their acquaintance. Our trip to the Chatta- hoochee was pleasant indeed. We made our headquarters three miles from Fort Mitchell, on big Uchee Creek, at Haynes Crabtree's. Had that been a war, and if it had continued to the present day, all of that crowd that's now living would be soldiers. After some three or four days' stay at Crabtree's we learned that Gen. LaFayette had passed White Water, and we knew at what time he would reach the river. The Indians seemed to take as much interest in the matter as the whites. All hands mustered on the west or Alabama side, where we could see the Georgia escort approach the east bank of the Chattahoochee, with their charge. On the east bank, Gen. LaFayette was met by Chilly McIntosh, son of the Indian Gen. McIntosh, with fifty Indian warriors, who were stripped naked and finely painted. They had a sulky prepared with drag-ropes, such as are commonly used in drawing can- non. The General was turned over by the Georgians to the Indians. That was the greatest show I ever saw at the crossing of any river. As the ferry- boat reached the Alabama side, the Indians, in two lines, seized the ropes, and the General seated in the sulky, was drawn to the top of the bank, some eighty yards, where stood the Alabama Delegation. At a proper dis- tance from the Alabama Delegation, the Indians opened their lines, and the sulky halted.
Everything, from the time the General entered the ferry, till this time, had been conducted in the most profound silence. As the sulky halted, the In- dians gave three loud whoops. The General then alighted, took off his hat, and was conducted by Chilly McIntosh, a few steps, to where stood Mr. Hall, with head uncovered, white with the frosts of age. I knew Mr. Hall from
my boyhood. He always showed well in company; but never did I see him look so finely as on that occasion-he looked like himself-what he really was-an American gentleman. As McIntosh approached Mr. Hall, he said, "Gen. LaFayette, the American friend"-"Mr. Hall, of Alabama," pointing to each as he called his name. Mr. Hall, in a very impressive manner, wel- comed LaFayette to the shores of Alabama, and introduced him to the other gentlemen. Dandridge Bibb then addressed the General at some length. I heard a number of persons address LaFayette on his route through Alabama-none
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1
AN OLD REMINISCENCE.
surpassed Dandridge Bibb, and none equaled him, unless it was Hitchcock and Dr. Hustis at Cahaba. I have always been looked upon as rather dry- faced; but gazing on the face of the most distinguished patriot that it had ever fallen to my lot to look upon, and the feeling remarks of Mr. Bibb on that occasion, caused me, as it did most others that were present, to shed tears like so many children.
After the address at the river, all marched to Fort Mitchell hill, where there was an immense crowd of Indians, the Little Prince at their head. He addressed the "French Captain," through Hamley, in true Indian style. I could understand much of his speech, but cannot begin to give it as Ham- ley could. The Prince said that he had often heard of the French Captain, "but now I see him, I take him by the hand, I know from what I see, he is the true one I have heard spoken of; I am not deceived-too many men have come a long way to meet him. He is bound to be the very man the Ameri- cans were looking for." The Prince, after satisfying the General that he (the Prince) was satisfied that the General was the true man spoken of and looked for, then went on to say, that he had once warred against the Ameri- cans, and that the French Captain had warred for them, and of course they had once been enemies, but were now friends; that he (the Prince) was get- ting old, which his withered limbs would show-making bare his arms at the same time-that he could not live long; but he was glad to say, that his people and the whites were at peace and he hoped they would continue so.
But he had raised a set of young warriors, that he thought would prove worthy of their sires, if there should ever be a call to show themselves men ; and that as a ball play was, outside of war, the most manly exercise that the Red Man could perform, he would, for the gratification of the General and his friends, make his young men play a game. The old man then turned to his people, and said to them-they were in the presence of a great man and war- rior ; he had commanded armies on both sides of the Big Water; that he had seen many nations of people; that he had visited the Six Nations, in Red Jacket's time, (the General told the Indians that he had visited the Six Nations,) that every man must do his best-show himself a man, and should one get hurt he must retire without complaining, and by no means show any- thing like ill humor. The speech ended, about two hundred stripped to the buff, paired themselves off and went at it. It was a ball play sure enough, and I would travel farther to see such a show than I would to see any other performed by man, and willingly pay high for it, at that. The play ended, and all hands went out to headquarters at Big Uchee, where we were kindly treated by our old friend Haynes Crabtree.
There was a man, then living among the Indians, Capt. Tom Anthony, who long since found a last resting place in the wilds of Arkansas. He was a man of fine sense and great humor. There was also an Indian known as Whiskey John. John was the greatest drunkard I ever saw ; he would drink a quart of strong whiskey without taking the vessel that contained it from his lips, (this is Alabama history, and there are plenty now living that have seen him do it.) To see John drink was enough to have made the fabled Bacchus
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AN OLD REMINISCENCE.
look out for a vacancy that frequently occurs among the Sons of Temperance. Capt. Anthony told John that all hands had addressed the French Chief, and that it was his duty to say something to him on behalf of those that loved whiskey. John could speak considerable English in a broken manner. It so happened that the General and others were walking across the Uchee Bridge when John met them. John made a low bow, as he had seen others do. The General immediately pulled off his hat, thinking he had met with another Chief. John straightening himself up to his full height, (and he was not very low,) commenced his speech in the manner that I will try to give it to you. "My friend, you French Chief ! me Whiskey John," (calling over the names of several white persons and Indians;) "Col. Hawkins, Col. Crowell, Tom Crowell, Henry Crowell, Billy McIntosh, Big Warrior Indian, heap my friends, give me whiskey, drink, am good. White man my very good friend me, white man make whiskey, drink him heap, very good, I drink whiskey. You French Chief, Tom Anthony say me big Whiskey Chief. You me give one bottle full. I drink him good." The General informed John that he did not drink whiskey, but would have his bottle filled. John remarked You no
"Tom Anthony you very good man, me you give me bottle full. drink, me drink all, chaw tobacco little bit, give me some you." Now the above is an Indian speech, and no doubt will appear silly to some who have not been accustomed to , those people. Should it, however, fall under the eye of those who were along at that time, they will recognize John's speech, and call to mind our old friends, Capt. Anthony and Col. James Johnson, who was the life of our crowd.
We remained that night at Crabtree's and the next day reached Fort Bain- bridge, where an Indian countryman lived, by the name of Kendall Lewis, as perfect a gentleman, in principle, as ever lived in or out of the nation, and had plenty, and it in fine style. The next day we started for Line Creek.
It fell to my lot to point out many Indians, as well as places, for we were stopped at almost every settlement to shake hands, and hear Indian speeches. Among many things and places that were pointed out to the General, was the place where Lot was killed, the old "Lettered Beech," at Persimmon swamp, the old Council Oak, Floyd's battle ground, the grave of James Mc- Girth, the place where McGirth made peach brandy, many years before, and many other things. That night we reached Walter B. Lucas'. Everything was "done up"better than it will ever be again ; one thing only was lacking- time-we could not stay long enough. The next morning we started for Montgomery. Such a cavalcade never traveled that road before or since.
On Goat Hill,* and near where Capt. John Carr fell in the well, stood Gov. Pickens, and the largest crowd I ever saw in Montgomery. Some hundred yards east of the Hill, was a sand flat, where Gen. LaFayette and his attend- ants quit carriages and horses, formed a line and marched to the top of the hill. As we started, the band struck up the old Scottish air, "Hail to the Chief." As we approached the Governor, Mr. Hill introduced the General to him. The Governor tried to welcome him, but, like the best man the books give account of, when it was announced that he was commander of the whole American forces, he was scarcely able to utter a word. So it was with Gov. Pickens. As I remarked before, Gov. P. had no superior in the State, but on that occasion he could not even make a speech. But that did not prevent Gen. LaFayette from discovering that he was a great man; it only goes to prove what is often said, that many who feel most can say least, and many who have no feeling say too much.
*The site of the present Capitol of Alabama.
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