Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-22
FROM WEST ALABAMA.
Solid for Sound Money-RaiIroad Prospect-A Plethora of Corn-Circuit Clerks
 Office Vacant

Carrollton, July 20.-(Special Corre- spondence. .)-The candidacy of Hon. F. L. Pettus has produced but little impress sion here, and no one will commit him. self to any person. The people want the very best man that can be brought into the race, whether it be Pettus, Oates, Joe Johnston or Dick Clarke. An in- dorsement of Cleveland and Carlisle will be insisted on, and sound money plat form will be presented by Pickens. All are opposed to a double-barreled race for senator and governor. West Alabama is being converted to the doctrine of the parity of the two metals and the use of all kinds of dollars whethel~silyer gold or paper, state or national, provided the one be readily convertible into the other. If candidate cannot walk on that plank during the canvass he had better steer clear of this county.
 The Warrior Coal Fields railroad was surveyed many years ago through Pick ems, and there is some prospect of it's being built since the return of prosperity. The proposed line was along Lubbub creek, from it's mouth on the Tombigbee river to it's source in the northeastern part of the county. On the route there are many Indian mounds, which show the engineering skill of the primitive race of Alabama. The white man may soon display his art in building an iron road. If built, Whitten, Stone, Newport, Bridgeville, Crossroads, Carrollton Ezel- vile, Reform, Lubbub and Dorroh will be villages and towns of some impor- tance
 The fishermen return home with weary and dejected looks, and swear that there are no fish in the streams in Plckens. The trout, the Dream and the pike. the fVrant of the here as the jack-fish, Are too wary for the anglers, who have neither luck nor pa- tience.
 The seasons in Pickens have been so far as perfect as if ordered for the bene- nit of the farmers. The cotton Is not fruiting, but there is time enough yet for 20,000 bales of cotton from this county.
 The corn cools the face of the earth. The luscious and tempting roasting ears are on hand everywhere and at every meal
 The Scrubs" beat the regular nine of Carrollton but they had to bring in pro- fessionals to do the work for the boys. Marvin again met Carrollton in a game of baseball and was defeated. The club of this place will meet the nine of Bene- Vola in match contest today.
 The boys about Reform having con- cluded that the fish from the head waters or Lubbub to the basin had entered into a conspiracy not to bite a hook, deter mined to take the tribe by strategy. Ac- cordingly they repaired to that part of the stream below Reform, provided with se1ns, on yesterday. It is unnecessary to state that art prevailed and that trout, Jackfish and perch were taken in abun- dance.
 Mr. Ed F. Edgely, editor of the West Alabamlan of this place. has made a reputation in his fight for sound money. He has studied the question carefully and always has the proof to sustain his assertions.
 The office of circuit clerk of Pickens county is vacant. There are five appi- cants for the place. Burt Upchurch the late incumbent, was an excellent official, and was frequently complimented by judges, solicitors and lawyers for his accuracy and neatness in keeping the records and minutes of the court
 A farmer and merchant in northern Pickens states that corn-WiH not sell in that section for more than 35 cents a bushel. The farmers are now trying to get rid of the old crop, but find few pur- chasers.
 The thoroughfare between Columbus. Miss, and Tuskaloosa, through Pickens, was one of the first public roads in this county. The stages passed over this road, carrying the United States mail The late Robert Jemison, the well-known state and Confederate States senator.
 
 travellers are now using this same route instead of the circuitous lines of railroad
 The village of Reform, on the line of the contemplated Midland, shows decided improvement. One new residence has just been completed. Others are being repaired and the painters brush has been in demand. A new church is soon to be erected in the neighborhood. A very neat and commodious church has been built east of the place and it presents beau tiful exterior appearance. with modern windows of approved pattern. The name of the former is Hopewell that of the latter Fellowship. The people of the place and vicinity are using strenuous efforts to obtain daily mail
 An old farmer states that the low price of cotton has practically effected a rev. olution in the system of farming in vogue ten years ago. That many years ago conventions of farmers recommen ended a decrease in the acreage in cotton. but that little attention was paid to them un- til the fact became patent that farming must be self-sustainng so far as the necessities of life are concerned.
 Some of the members of Hartgrovt's church have become dissatisfied with the old building and have determined to build new church. Others cling to the idea that a neat edifice, with so many associations, should not be sacrificed for the ornamental. Daniel Hartgrove one of the pioneers of Pickens and Bishop Hartgrove, his son, assisted in erecting the present church. Large congregations have sat under it's pulpit to hear some of fl,a oroa fact -Draa abprS If inc land