Birmingham state herald., 1896-02-02
Go to Gafford's for first class single and double teams.
COLONlZING IN CHlLTON.
Thrifty Scandinavian immigrants Settling in
 Alabama.


 Mr. A. L. wamben of Thorsby. the new town located on the Louisville and Nash vile railroad in Chiffon county, passed through the city the other day on his re- turn to his old home in North Dakota. MT. Wamben formerly lived near Hatton, Dak, and came to Alabama about two months ago prospecting, in company with several others from the same section and community. The party were met on their arrival in Birmingham by Capt. Sid Jones and it was through his infiu- ence that they visited Chiffon county, where they were so well pleased that they bought property and began building the town of Thorsby, which now boasts number of progressive families. The citizenship is composed altogether of Scandinavians. said to be the most pro- gressye and enterprisng people now immigrating to this country.
 Mr. Wamben said to State Herald re- porter that he was on his way to his former Dakota home for the purpose of dsposng of all his property there, both personal and real, and that he would re- turn with something near $60OO. which he proposed to invest in Chiffon county. His landed interests In Dakota, he said, consists of a farm of 160 acres. locats d within one mile of the town of Hatton, and that he will find no trouble in dis posing of it at $50 per acre.
 He says he is more than a.isfied with his adopted home. In fact, he says Ala bama is indeed the garden spot of Amer ica and Thorsby Is destined to be the garden spot of Alabama; that he Is carry ing with him to Dakota full supply of printed matter containing all the fnfor- nation any one could desire, and that he is satisfied quite a number will come with him on his return. MT. Wamben says that Dakota is a good country-plenty of ndC NhtIf o a q l. most unbeara ble at times, and an ancient prophet would hardly be able to tell when it would rain and blow and when dry weather might be expected. In Dakota, he said, wheat is the only profitable crop that can be raised, and in Alabama he expects to raise any and everything, but will devote bis attention in the main to fruit culture
 l"How many people have you at Thors- by, MT. Wamben?" asked the reporter.
 YAH told I think we have about fifty people. The most of them are young men without families. We have been feeling our way, so to speak, and have not been making any exertion much to increase our population. We wanted to be able to report correctly to our northwestern friends just how things are before induc- ing them to settle among us"
 And are you satisfied that they will be- pleased with the changer" "itis
 Pleased! They cannot help being pleased; we have found the Eldorado. By the way, do you know that we can raise coffee in Chiffon county?"
 ."Coffee"
 ,"Yes, coffee-genuine coffee. A Mrs. Bruce, who resides about one and half miles from Clanton, told m the other day that she had a neighbor that raised last year all the coffee she will need for sever al months About three years ago the lady discovered a peculiar plant grow i,t in har rdQ n fprtiliZa and cultivate 1t to see what 1t was, and 1t proved to be coffee plant She said she remembered that her husband came from market at one time, bringing with him some coffee, and came in the garden where she was and spilled some on the ground, and that she is certain here was the starting of her coffee, culture. The first year the coffee matured so nicely that she determined to save the crop for seed and plant again and did so, and it is from the third years growth that she is using. I don't know that l shall go in the coffee raising business just yet. but this experiment is worth telling the public about"
 When do you expect to return?"
 About the last of February or first of March, I am going to take my time and tell my people of the real facts as have found them-am loaded with good literature and have no doubt but that many of my neighbors will come back with me. On the 10th of March home seekers excursion will be run from all points in the north and northwest"
 At this juncture of the conversation Capt. Sid Jones made his appearance. "This is my Scandinavian friend" said he, "and the pioneer of one of the best settlements ever made in Alabama Chiffon county, where the new settle ment is located, Is one of the healthiest sections in the state and is productive and lies well. It Is the highest point be- tween the Sand mountain and the Gulf of Mexico. and nearly every acre is till able It is well watered and well tim bered. The soil is a sandy loam with clay foundation. and you can raise any and everything almost, even to the trop- ical fruits. It is as yet thinly settled and lands are cheaper than in any other county in the state. So you see l have given my Scandinavian friends first choice. and expect soon to have a thick ly settled county composed of citizen ship in the main of these thrifty Scan- dinavian people" -'s-az->
 Rev. Mir Hedburg, a Lutheran preach CT. is also a member of this colony,and is now working in the interest of immigra- ton to Thorsby. His headquarters are at Otasco. Minn. He sent down to Thorsby eight hardy Scandinavians on the 2Sth instant. ..s ~ -.-.-- .-