Connecticut western news., 1883-11-07
AN INTERPRETING LETTER.

MT John A. McArthur, who has been in the employ of the Barnum Richard son company for many years, has taken charge of the Shelby iron works in Ala bama and writes thus to friend
 The Shelby Iron company is compos- ed of an association of Christian gentle men, mostly from Connecticut, but some natives. Their establishment is worth $1,00O,000. It comprises 40, ,OOO being added and embraces rich and ex- tensive deposits of iron ore. The com pany have two blast furnaces here with 8 capac1ty of 700 tons per week. We are at present making $50. They mine all their ores, fuxes and manufacture the charcoal themselves. They also have large foundry and machine shop, make car wheels and build cars. They have about 15 miles of raj pad of their own on their territory and have three locomotives of their own constantly at work. They also run tar and ac1d works in connection with their other enterprises. They employ colored labor wholly, except the several heads of labor departments and few skilled mechanics Their pay roll amounts to about $5,000 weekly. Their charter prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquors of any kind within radius of six miles of their works and within radius of two miles in addition of any outlying work, as chopping, coaling, etc. Their charter covers Colum biana, the county seat of Shelby county, and the provis- ions of the charter are rigidly enforced by the state.
 They have built two fine churches lone of them about the finest in the state), two fine school houses that com pare fayorably with our best at home, hire the teachers and pastors and run the schools and churches, ,-one for each, white and black. The negro church is Congregational and under the charge of Rev MT Simms,a gentleman and scholar, formerly slave /; the other, Rev MT Tyler pastor, is Cumberland Presbyte- rian. Every negro family has 8 white cottage to live in. I have been invited to dinners and suppers among the whites and natives and not to one house have been invited where prayer is not offered.
 The strangest yet remains to be told. l have now been here 21 days and in all my daily intercourse with this large colored population, and white, not one profane or unciv1 word have I heard spoken, not cigar nor pipe have seen smoked, not child loafing about the streets, no sidewalk education here.
 We also have the two Sunday schools hourishing, in one of which I am happy to say am member. Education is compulsory no gambling or card play ing IS allowed. A rumseller is an out law and treated as such Two illicit distillers in northern county in the mountains were hunted and shot down by the United States marshall for defy ing him. A gallows stands few miles from here for a terror to evil doers. A white murderer was hanged upon it and negroes passing in sight of 1t speak in whispers, I am told.
 the freedmen, as find them here under this more than parental government; for the home missionary work being done here by the white ladies, ably helped by many blacks, and the hospitality extend sd to me by the natives here, some of whom were officers of the confederate army. With them the hatchet is buried.
 Of the country, its climate and pro- ductions I have not now time to write. All of course is new to me. I think of Salisbury and home often. Remember me to your family and all who may feel Interested ID my surroundings.
 Yours truly, J. A. MoARTHUR.
 Shelby Iron Works, Ala, Oct. 26, 1883.