Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-12-01
DOWN IN DIXIE.
TuscuMpIA, AN, Nov. 10. ,s5.

TUsCUMBGA, ALA, Nov. IL, 'S5.
Mr.. EDITOR:
In the long ago, beautiful Indian
legend tells us, when this portion OF
the South was a waste, and its Wild
were roamed by only beast and saws
age, the red man pleased with woods
and waters and their abundant game,
one day after long aud wearied
chase, rested, and as he sank down
and the dolce far niente of lazy leth-
argy stole over him softly sighed
Alabama! which being interpreted
into plain English means, "Here we
rest"
Years after when civilization had
pressed the savage from his hunting
ground over the river to the west
ward, the white man recognizing the
beautiful and rhythmic flow of the
liquid Indian name, christencd it
anew by the same, and still it is Ala
bama!
The name and Its meaning for a
long time after the late war seemed
suggestive of more than poetical
ideas, but an absolute rest from ener-
gy and enterprise of all kinds. A
lotos like existence seemed to have
settled down upon its people and
towns and cities, and the want of en-
ergy of man and the apparent dilapi-
dation of places was anything but
pleasant to the eye. 1t is said that
nothing remains the same, progress
or decay is ever within. While the
old town of Tuscumbia bears the
rugged touch of old time here and
there dotted over its surface, new
buildings are springing up. new
corners are bringing with them the
enterprise SO long needed. The
Franklin House, the chief hotel of
the city, has been remodeled and is a
pleasure and pride to the place.
The Deshla Institute, presided over
by Col. Flournoy and his accomplish
ed corps Of teachers, holds front
rank with similar Institutions of the
South. The charming little Court
House on Main street is beautiful
architectural structure and quite All
ornament. There are some other
noticeable improvements, but there
is much room for continuance of
the good work. 1t is said that west
ward the star of empire takes its
way, but here in Tuscumbia its ten
dency is due north, to the magical
city Gin embryo) of Sheffield. We
hear little else talked of, all lose sight
of their own town in the reflex hon
ors of the growing greatness of Shelf
field +; those who have invested there
most largely are Jews. In fact your
correspondent has several times heard
it alluded TO as "The New Jerusa-
lem" 1t is a lovely location for a
city, located on the deep blue waters
Of the beautiful Tennessee, and across
from the nea little city of Florence
Sheffield boasts one handsome hotel
named in honor of the President
Cleveland House, fitted up with all
modern conveniences, handsomely
and well-kept. The enterprise oil
Mr.. Moss has established one school
there and church, in which the de,
nominations alternate. The winding
stairway that leads to the famou:
Sheffield spring is a source of Interest
to all.
1t is said that the undeveloped re
sources that lie in and around THU
city, soon to be, are and will be al
inexhaustable source of wealth. The
site of the city is beautiful, avenues
; broad and well-graded, and upon
Montgomery Avenue alone has al.
ready been expended the modest lit.
tile sum of 100000. All who read the
sales of these lots in the Courier,
journal and other papers, some time
since, will remember the fancy figure:
at which they were knocked off
Whether realization of future bene
fit is 10 be as great, remains to b,
revealed by the future. n
| OLIVE BRANCH. .
|