The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-09-20
THE MAGIC CITY.
The New Birmingham that Protection Has
Builded IN Alabama.
Correspondence of the Indianapolis journal.

Correspondence of the Indianapolis journal.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala Sept. 18-Returning from
short trip into northern Florida, via the Louis
vile & Nashville railroad, yielded to long
felt desire to see this wonderful young city. and
stopped over from the morning to the night
train. 1t is doubtful if another equally thrifty
city or the same size can be found in the coun-
try. On every hand are new buildings and
street improvements. and all of the most sub
stantial character. Carpenters, masous, team
sters and day labOrers are all apparently en-
ployed and at good wages. Real estate is in Q
constant state of activity. indianapolis. in its
boomiest days, had no such boom as the pro-
tracted one that prevails here. Over the coun-
ter of one prominent firm hangs placard with
the warning that all transaction must be closed
promptly to be binding. No dealer is will
ing to promise to take the price to-mor-
row that he offers to accept to-day. Hundreds
of those who were here when the boom began
find themselves wealthy. Numbers of the con-
dustors and engineers of the l.. & n. railroad.
whose runs ended here invested their savings in
lots, which in many cases increased in value ten
fold before they sold them. A business lot near
1t was one hundred feet front. The next year
fifty feet from it was sold at the price paid for
the whole the year before, and 81, 900 foot was
refused for it the present year. A German gar
dener paid $500 few years ago for a piece of
ground for a vegetable garden. 1t became
valuable for business purposes and he sold it
recently for $751; 600 cash. Numerous similar
cases of sudden increase in value are related,
and nj aha raofn ha n
my hearing Property is continually changing
hands, but always thus far at an advance The
explanation of this rapid and continuous in
crease in real-estate values is in the i'm
mense mineral wealth that fills the
mountains and hills on every hand. Within
very few miles of each other lie exhaustless beds
of rich iron ore, and coal of excellent quality,
while lime is found in abundance everywhere
Iron manufacturers have taken advantage of
this remarkable proximity of the raw materials
they require, and are locating their furnaces in
every convenient place. Already, six furnaces
are in operation in the immediate vicinity, while
twice as many more are located within few
miles of the city, and seven others are in con-
temptation or are partially constructed. Thou
sands of men are employed and not less than
$685. 900, it is estimated, are paid out weekly as
wages. The large amount of money put into
circulation each week keeps business of all kinds
in constant and increasing activity My land
lord just remarked that he had to turn away
fifteen guests last night for lack of room; and
so it is all the time. and is growing worse. The
boom does not seem to be its end.
There is much public spirit manifest
here also. Certain business mon having I'M
bounded faith in the future greatness of the
place. are laying out large plans and schemes to
be ahead, rather than behind, the demands ex
pected to be made upon them. For example, in
addition to four or five lines of horse car rail
way. dummy line has been built to the high
hills nearly four miles away and spacious and
handsome park has been laid out and, to a large
extent improved with pavilions, lake, natato-
rum, summer cottages, etc. 1t is delightful
ride, and cool and pleasant retreat from the
noise and dust of the busting young city. -Four
trunk line railroads already center here, and
another is rapidly approaching, besides which
there are number of short branches running
out in various directions to coal mines or beds of
iron ore.
l spoke of visiting Florida. The particular
spot that interested me there is a remarkable
elevation in Washington county, about midway
between Pensacola and Tallahassee. known as
Orange I1Sa, seven miles south of Chipley, sta
tion OH the Pensacola & Atlantic railroad. By
good chance. which have not time here to
late the property, embracing nearly two square
miles, has fallen into the possession of syndi-
cate, of which r. l.. Scarlett, we'll and favorably
known to Indianapolis business men, as the eff
cient and courteous agent of the Mercantile
Agency of Messrs. R. G. Dun & Co., is man.
ager.
1t has been subdivided into lots and small
tracts, and is intended to be the home of scores
of Northern people who are tired of our severe
winters Here they will find a region where
nature has avished her riches of SOIL scenery
and productions. Elevated nearly three hun
dred feet above the sea level and hundred
feet or more above the tops of the
pines on the surrounding lower lands,
the fortunate jewellers will inhale daily
breezes from the not distant sea,
waited to them, summer as well winter, over
miles Of pine forests, without faint Of malaria,
and enjoy the beautiful aud varied scenery in
every direction, and flowers, fruits, and vege-
tables peculiar to both temperate aud semi
tropical regions. Figs, bananas. orap ges, and
pomegranates may be grown here side by side
with peaches, apples and pears. and the small
fruits and vegetables may be had in succession
all the year through. Springs abound and mag
nolias tower up with their rich vanished green
leaves in numerous places. all planted by the
hand Of nature, as also the Grape myrtle, laden
even now with its delicate bloom. I recognized
scores of our northern forest trees on the hill.
besides many trees that never seen north of
the Ohio river. The hill is a charming place.
and when brought into the improved condition
intended by Messrs II. FL. McGaughey, Chalmers
Brown, J. T. Brush, j. F. Wiselogel, Scarlet,
g. A Danley, and other Indianapolitan pur-
obo mill hoi ind of ali oh