Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-10-18
THORSBY.
A Red Letter Day in the Histary of the Model
Town : How the New Colony
has Thrived.

Thorsby, Oct. Speeial)-Today
marked an epoch in immigration from the
northwest into Alabama, and illustrated
fully the progress that thrifty people,
who have forsaken bleak winters and I'M
desirable climates and have taken up
their homes in the south, are making.
Hardly one year ago a handful of immi-
grants from Iowa and Minnesota landed
here in what was then nothing but
forest and today there is a thriving vii
1age of upwards of 200 souls with thrift
about it that would have set pace with
the Magic City during her booming days.
The occasion of today was the opening of
new public school building, built in
modern style, two stories in height. with
a capacity for the accommodation or up
wards of 800 children.
The occasion was appropriately OBJ
served, and was one or which these
thriving people should feel proud. The
attendance was good and those VINO were
visitors praised 1t highly.
Not only have they built a fine public
school building, but new buildings are
being put up as fast as men can work,
and special feature about this Is the
modern manner in which they are con-
structed. There are no shacks or half
thrown together temporary concerns, but
they are well constructed.
The new hotel is three stories in height
and the stores are all put up with full
plate glass fronts. In fact everything has
the appearance of modern village.
These people are all Scandnavians,
and the most of them are farmers. They
were attracted here through the efforts OF
Mr.. p. Sid Jones, immigration agent OF
the Louisville and Nashville railroad, by
the glorious climate rich soil and it's espe-
cial adaptation to the fruit raising indus
try and other profitable farming re-
sources.
The Concordia Land and Improvement
association, a club, was formed ana
large tract of land purchased here, which
has been cut up into small farms and
now everywhere in sight can be seen
farming as it is rarely ever seen. Thou
sands of grape vines have been planted
and experts say that California Is in no
wise better adapted to fruit raising than
this section of Alabama, it being about
800 feet above the level of the sea.
Then other homeseekers from northern
states are coming in every day and Sc
curing suitable location for themselves
and their families.
This colony has four travelling agents
through the northwest, and they are con-
fdent that several hundred families will
move down here during the coming Win
ter.
A homeseekers' excursion from the
northwest will arrive here on October "
with party of about twenty-five pros
pectors.
The Louisville and Nashville railroad is
making preparations to build nice depot
Just In front of the hotel.
The following is the programme of the
exercises of the opening of the public
school: :.
organ solo, "Home, Sweet Home
(Valentine)-Mrs. ]. F. Peterson.
Scripture reading and prayer-Rev.
John r. Hedberg
Psalm, David-Choir.
Welcome address,. Bice
Introductory remarks-Rev. John h.
Hedberg.
Solo, strangers story"-Miss Norah
Nelson
Recitation. 1.-THE New School House,
Dora Thorson.
Recitation, "Scorplon"-Ada Hedberg.
Baritone solo, warrior Bold"-S. A.
Thorson.
Recitation, (Which Shall 1t Be?"-Miss
| Mary Hedberg.
Nelson.
Recitation -Four Hundred Years Ago"
Della Wambem.
Recitation ct Remember, | Remember
| Miss M. Tornqunst.
Duet, I'm the Starlight'-Mr. and Mrs.
J. r. Peterson.
Organ solo, Listen to the Mocking
Bird"-Mrs. J. F. Peterson;
Address, "Education"-P ii. w.
Ryding
Jesus. Lover OF My Soul''-Choir.
Doxology-Audience.
| .'Praise God from whom all blessings
flow,
Praise Him all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, We heavenly host,
Praise Father. Son and Holy Ghost