Huntsville gazette., 1883-09-08
ACROSS THE STATE,
Thoughts on Our Future
Mobile and MUbtlians.

Decatur thence Southwark through
booming Birmingham, the beautiful
Capital city of Montgomery and on
until halted on the shores of the bay
/ by the attractions of Mobile, much OF
the varied and diversified resources
pass under review now making Ala
! bama leap forward in the front ranks
as great. rich and thriving state.
Birmingham is typical Of the future
greatness of the mining and manufac-
turing industries which the resources
Eof our Mountains and hills can sustain.
The center Of numerous railroads,
its large furnaces and rolling mills
never idle, business Of every kind
lively, new business houses and resi-
dences springing up, and steady in
crease of population, Birmingham
looks with composure at rival towns.
Stepping out of the "Magic City" by
the excellent accommodations of that
great line, the L. d n. Road, on the
platform of that recently erected and
elegant structure, the new Uuion De-
pot at MOBILE one is conscious Of the
surroundings Of an entirely new life.
The Calf City reposes in its mid
Summer quietness, with take-eare- Of
itself and digni6ed air worthy Of its
age and consequence as the Metrop-
oils Of Alabama. The census and
the good citizens vary as. to its popula-
tion, one allowing 1885 whites and
2,240 colored, the citizens $4,000.
The business at this Port last year ex-
ceeded largely all past years. Ships
and large vessels by means of the
Canal opened up the bay from Fort
Morgan now anchor at the wharf.
The shipping business thus facilitated
is growing immensely which with
new resources opening up daily, prom.
ises for Mobile new era Of prosperity.
Our Mobile correspondent elsewhere
dwells on the local news of the city
its militia, churches and points of in
terest. 1t is only left for us to brief
ly acknowledge our most cordial re-
ception there and the untiring but
most successful efforts of the friends
whom it was our pleasure and privi-
lege to meet to make our visit enjoya-
BILE.
By the courtesy Of General j. q.
Slaughter, Postmaster, and his Super
intendent, Mr.. Chas. Hurley, we
overlooked the methodical but rapid
work OF his twenty employees, half
white and half colored, in the distri.
button and delivery Of the maik in
the elegant quarters OF the Postoffice
in the Custom House building. A
goodly number of colored officials
were likewise found in the Custom
House service, where in the absence
Of Collector Burke we were made to
feel at home. Mr.. Lewis and Capt.
Townsley, Index of the c. II. by 43
years Of service. Mr. N. HI. Lane,
A. H. Brittian, Esq, DR.. Ronayne,
Mr. w. w. Steele, now Chief Inspet :
tor, Messrs, &. D. Nicholas, Reuben
Wilson, Randall Coleman, and Hon.
Frank FL. Threat, are among the ef-
6cient officials in this department
Our friend and esteemed townsman
Mr.. Walter Braziel is not now in the
Service, but well and with native
pluck worthily providing for his in
teresting family. All of his friends
hope for his recall by the Collector.
Calling at the Office of the Mobile
Gazette we found its bold and ag-
gressive editor busy at work though
threatened with an attack of asthma.
Bracing up however he joined with
Mr., VIM. II. Roper, in showing us
the rare delights Of the six mile drive
on the Shell Road, along the Bay
shaded with mammoth magnolIas
and cooled by refreshing sea breezes
The homes Of Mr.. n. H. Lane and
Mr.. VIM. Fl. Roper are fit examples
Of the reward of thrift and industry
by colored citizens in the far South
They are homes where abound good
cheer, intelligence and plenty.
| The orange, the banana, the pome-
granate, ornament the yards and fur
nish luxury to the table. They are
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