The Arkansaw traveler. (Little Rock, Ark.) 1882-1???, 1889-05-18

A Growing City of Alabama--one OF the
Most Prosperous and Thriving
Cities Of the South

the waters of the magnificent Alabama river
from the north. lie the charming city of selma
with it's broad, level and we'll drained resi-
dence streets lying back from the river
fringed upon either side with stately water
oaks and elms. and lined with elegant homes
here a grand, old IA shioned home reminding
one Of the wealth and ease of ante belitn
days-there q dwelling with all the beauty OF
modern architecture; while the business
streets, nearer the river, are cOmpactly built
up with handsome stores and massive ware
houses, indicative of the push and thrift OF
her merchants.
First known about the year 1915 as Moore g
Blun," in honor of an adventurous Tennes
seean who made his way over the mountains
and wilds of north Alabama and encamped on
the elevated plateau. 1t retained this name
until 1870, when VIM. Il. King, then promi
nent planter, and subsequently vice presi-
dent of the United States, gave it It's present
classic name.
To the west, stretching from the Alabama
to the Tombigbee river. lie the famous Black
Prairie lands, noted for the strength, depth
aud productiveness of their soil. To the north
and northeast are immense forests of the
finest long leaf yellow pine, and commencing
some forty miles from the city, lie the mex
haustible deposits of coal, iron and marble of
the CahabA valley, as yet almost entirely
undeveloped. only awaiting the penetration
of railroad to make them elements of great
wealth and bus iness activity, with selma as
the natural shipping point. by the Alabama
river, through the Gulf of Mexico, to the
Atlantic porte, South and Central America.
To the south is a continuation of the fertile
wta pAa with large of
pine and cedar, and all the varieties of yalua-
BILE hardwood stretching almost unbroken to
the Gulf of Mexico.
Selma's xcelled ad anita ses, arising from
close proximity to immense coal and iron
deposits, and from easy communication with
the Gulf of Mexico and thence the world
beyond, are pointedly illustrated by the fact
that from the many competitors throughout
the south it was selected by the Confederate
States government as the most desirable loca-
ton for its naval foundry, ship building yards
and arsenal works; while 1t is a well-knOwn
fact that the fertile country around Selma
was the main dependence of the armies of the
Confederacy for grain and provisions.
ON April . 1865 IA few days prior to the sur.
render of the Confederate armies under Lee
and Johnston), General Wilson, commanding
u large DOuy OL dhtoNAOu OCu
eral Forest, commanding the Confederate
forces at selma, and, after a severe battle,
the Confederates were forced to evacuate the
city. The Federals entered flushed with vic
tory, and, without know ledge of the fact that
the war was alreaCy virtually ended, and ere
calm reason could replace the passions of war.
the Immense naval foundry and other build.
ings occupied by the Confederate government
a ~
almost the entire business portion of the city
was laid In ashes.
Thus the close of the war found the city of
Selma q smoking mass of ruins, with her citi-
LeHs naturally dispirited, not only from the
crushing of cherished hopes, but also from the
loss of most of their earthly possessions.
TIE NEW SELMA.
The Selma of to day. incl udin z it's immediate
suburbs, contains about Is 900 inhabitants. 1t
has seven lines of railroads. giving it cheap
east and west.
The great East Tennes see, virginia 4 Georgia
system connects it with the Gulf of Mexico
on the south. and with the Atlanti ports and
great cities of the east and west, anording
unsurpassed facilities for travel and ship.
ments of frelghts to all points in this country
and Europe.
Her banks are among the largest and sound.
est in the state. their capital and surplus
amounting to q round million, with deposits
Of as much more; her local insurance com.
pany has large surplus and it's fire policies
rank among the soundest; her merchants are
noted for their thrift and high financial stand
ing, many OF the Wholesale houses doing an
annual business Of q half million and above
her cotton receipts exceed 100000 bales annu-
ally; her men and money have built IL COO
spindle cotton factory; the oldest, best