The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-11-04
fHE TOWN THAT DIED.
Wat Blkll an Alabama City Reads
Like 4 TlIe BY Poo.
PALACES SOLD FOR 1 SolG.
The YsIekIng Of The Manisipsi Bubble
Nsds Besgars Rich SD MiiIsen-
sirss Poor.
1copyrIeht. for The Times. 1sei)

copyright, Tor The Times, lNi)
The story of Fort Payne, Alabama.
New England people. Is a thrilling TRACE
dy ard pointed lesson TO enthusiastic
investors In distant properties.
The company that doomed this III
starred town was organized in the fall
of 1855 IL was looking for iron and coal.
and In the vicinity OF a little village on
the Alabama Great southern Raiiroad
~ found both In richest profusion. IL
was in the beautiful Wills Valley. with
mountain ranges on either side-Lookout
on the East and Sand Mountain on the
West.
In selecting the officers OF the company
care was taken by the prime movers IN
the enterprise to chose from various
points men of influence In their own dis
iricts-men OF sterling integrity and
honor. New England was thoroughly can
vassed. for IL was In this section that
the stock was principally offered. Such
was the faith in these men that within
q month four Of the FIVE millions-the
sum originally fixed as the capital OF
the eompany--was taken. In January,
1SS the prospectus went forth: 1T is
the intention OF the stockholders ana
officers Of the Fort Payne Coal and Iron
Company 10 build "A manufacturing city
In the Wills Valley at Fort Payne, and
~ the results obtained In other locall-
ties, many OF them with far less advant-
ages, can be taken as a criterion, the
accomplishment Of the object can readily
be attained. The company has laid the
foundations broad and surrounded the
enterprise with men whose financial Skin
and judgment arc guarantee that the
hexhaustible resources OF this iine prop
erty Will be carefully and fully developed.
and. as a natural result of such develop
ment, "a city viii rise In its midst etc.
THE nrsr.
Early In 1889 the pioneers arrived In
the village and began the foundations
OF the new city Broad avenues ana
streets were laid out and carefully grad
&c building went on with great rapidlty;
houses sprang up as II by magic; more
pretentious homes, with beautiful grounds
quickly followed; many more were care
fully pianned--to be built when the en-
peeled fortunes were realized.
/ Young men from our various colleges
eagerly sought positions with the COM
pany and a really charming lot OF PEG
pie became settled there
AS the mining and manufacture OF
iron. which was everywhere 80 abund-
ant, was to be the principal feature
iron working plants and furnaces were
established. Coal was everywhere, too.
Cooking coal was discovered and coke
ovens were built. A rolling mill and
steel plant was equipped. Stove works.
a basket factory, and ice factory, fire
clay works. hardware plant, and many
more industries were well established
within year.
complete system of sewerage. water
works and fine electric plant 10 illu-
mine the city followed Fine hotels were
built and beautifully fitted with every
comfort An academy with well Sc
I lected corps of teachers was established,
for here was TO be a centre of learning
as well as OF industry. Churches were
built and an opera house
In eighteen months from the time OF
starting the prophecy set. forth in the
prospectus was fulfilled, for model city
stood i'm the place of cotton fields.
The taxable property increased during
this period from $li6,GS3 to 100000
HEIGHT OF THE BOON.
The Northerners who had gone there
10 dwell were enthusiastic over the place.
They were making money rapidly I'm their
real estate ventures, and as fast as one
sale was consummated. another was ne
gotiated.
The scenery was delightful, with its
hocky GINS and falling waters. The
mountain ranges were picturesque at
every turn. Old Lookout had many mem
cries to the soldier; riding parties ex-
plored hills where all was novel and
strange. Within twenty miles there were
untrodden forests. The climate was mild.
the temperature equable; for healthful-
ness IL could not be surpassed The nights
were cool.
Excursion after excursion had been
planned and executed during these eif.l-
teen months, bringing from New England
homes hard earned savings 10 be deposit
ed In the Electric City" These excur-
sions were always laVshly arranged.
After delightful journey from Bos-
ton, the vestibued trains-often twelve
In numbor-would arrive in the early
evening Of the second day, when the
twinkiing lights of the little city shone
out brilliantly The visitors were taken
at once TO the famous hotel. the dining
room Of which was most attractive. It's
walters were well drilled. and a we'll
known chef from Boston attended to
the cuisine. The guests were enthusias-
tically welcomed and well entertained,
What wonders were shown theml They
subscribed eHgerly TO everything. Loath
to leave they returned home completely
under the charm OF the place, and carried