Birmingham state herald., 1896-01-24
CARROLLTON.
A Larger Acreage Will Be PIanted-But
 Few Oats Sown Yet.

A Larger Acreage Will Be PIanted-But
 Few Oats Sown Yet.
 Carrollton, Jan. 23.-(Special)- area of lands planted m corn and cotton in Pickens will be greater as to both crops than in the past, and in excess of that of last year. Very few persons have planted oats, but as soon as the weather permits about the same amount of land will be devoted to that cereal as usual. The colored brother wants to plant big patch of the staple fiber, but the plant CTS generally will follow the recommends tions of Hector D. Lane and the Cotton Growers association, of which he is president, as they have found that he put himself to great trouble to report the acreage of last year.
 InJanuary, 1894, the people of this coun- ty were very much interested in politics, but at this time you would not hear in a meeting of citizens casually brought to- gether in this county at village store the subject mentioned. Our brethren, the populites, and the democrats are more concerned as to the latest news as to the price of cotton than in the question of the governorshp of the state of Ala bama. Both parties are better informed as to national affairs than the past leg ~ islation of Alabama.
 It can be safely predicted that the dem ocrats of Pickens will vote for the nomi- nee of the party, and that he will get full vote In due time they will come to the front with decided preference as usual
 Mre. Josephine Johnson. wife of MT. Frank Johnson of Reform, and Miss Will lie Rozzelle, the daughter and only child of MT and Mrs. William J. Rozzelle of Coal Fire, died during the past week.
 The public roads of Pickens are in fair condition for this time of the year. The people generally appreciate the fact that the ordinary thoroughfares used by the farmers for conveying their crops to market are of more importance than the railroads The average length of the haul in this county is about ten miles, and it will cost about 20 cents per mile ito carry one ton to the places Of sale or shipment. This is cents per mile be- low the general average Of Alabama, ac- cording to official information. The aver age total cost per ton for the whole length of the haul to Tuskaloosa, Vien- na Stone, Memphis Columbus, Mlilport and Kennedy is but a little greater than that of some of the eastern and northern states This is a good showing for the sandy. clay and prairie roads of Pickens, where the farmers have nothing to trans port except cotton and bring back in re- turn necessary supplies that cannot be raised in the county.
 The telephone line to Carrollton is not complete, although everything is in readiness except insulators, the manu- facturers not being able to supply them at present. This place will soon be In close connection with telegraphic lines.
 There are several merchants in Pick ems who do not neglect small affairs. During the past year they received of farm products for goods such things as eggs. chickens turkeys, tallow, hides, beeswax. wool feathers and butter These matters appear to some persons to be trif1es, but such is not the case. One dealer sends his wagon twice week. heavily laden with such supplies, to mar ket and thereby furnishes large com muuity with all necessary articles not raised on the farm.
 ! It is reported that there have been over 300 cases of measles in Pickens, and so far there have been only two deaths MT. Benjamin Pierson of this county who believes that he had them while young, was recently taken down with that malady, after his children had pass ed through all the stages of the disease
 Pickens reports two new churches, nicely ceiled but net yet painted, and recently built. One is at Hargroves. the old home of Bishop Hargrove, and the other is near Reform. The Methodists are entitled to the credit for both.