The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-06-09
give place to race Of men who arr
susceptible to the noble impulses Of 6
more refined age.
FAIgHo7E COOPERATIVE COLONY.

more refined age.
FAIRHopE COOPERATIVE COLONY
Among the many cooperative mcSs-
ments Fairhope, Ala, has bright Il.
t1are. The cheapness Of southern la,,s.:
and the mildness Of the southern ci.
mate are great natural inducements ti
people seeking cheap homes, and !;
would be g wise move for philanchro-
pists to buy up large sections of these
lands and colonize On them the out Ct
work people in our cities.
Below we. give a letter from The
Courier, giving some useful information
about Fairhope:
believe that I promised another arti-
Gle for The Courier after one year in Ala
bama. Well, owing 10 adverse cifcu1e-
stances was rot in writing mood at
the time that the 10 months expired, but
now, q few months later, I am pleased
to announce that, the sun having
emerged from dark cloud, my spirits
have risen and I feel as though ! might
write q whole book at a sitting.
Friends, the climate here has proved
more favorable than I anticipated. It
suits me perfectly. The summer climate
is more agreeable than that of the win
ter, and the heat is never insuferaDle,
as it is in St. Louis.
Having an abundance of clear, pure
water, there is aud need be no fever CT
malaria in Fa;rhope Indeed there has
been but one case of fever here since
the place was ssttled, and that one wcs
brought here. The patient soon rccov-
cred.
This is the grandest place to rsise
healthy children that I ever saw, ard
sickly ones brought here are sure to fnd
health if they possess any recuperative
powers at all Aged, infrm and feeble
persons find in Fairhope a delightful
haven of repcse and re operation The
numerous drawbacks that confronted US
year ago have been somewhat di1nin-
ished, as we now have our wharf COM
pleted, a daily boat and a daily mail
We have brand new store-the finest
in the county-with neat, commodious
postof6ce in one corner; number Of
houses where guests from the north can
be entertained; streets opened, lands
cleared, orchards and vineyards set out,
etc.
We are out of debt. That is the enc
most ing condition of affairs.
We always purpose keeping out Of debt,
and without debt we ere practically Sc
cure from dangers without.
Still, I would not advise any Of my
friends to come here to live without
first making rs q visit. I would not
even advise them to visit US with the
purpose Of joining the association un-
less they possess sufficient means to sus-
tain themselves for year or two and
until their lands can yield profitable
crop. And, another thing, don't come
unless you are willing to forego many
little personal comforts and to sufeS
disadvantages and inconveniences-
Many persons right from large cities
can easily conform to altered condi-
tons, and they are perfectly delighted
with everything about Fairhope. 9th
ers, again, are always complaining and
making it uncomfortable for others as
well as themselves.
Five hundred dollars is little enough
for one to start with, having to build,
to fence and clear land, and to live on
expense a year CT two. Twice that
amount Tould be better, but with az
independent spirit, industrious and eco
no,nical habits and a disposition to live
in peace and harmony with ones neigh
bors, ary family can get along nicely
with the $500, and they will find Fair
hope, as I have found it, a place to
make for themselves q beautiful and q
happy home. And in conclusion I will
say that if the reform spirit be culti-
waited, if the well being of all be de-
sired, and the destruction Of all forms
Of oppression be the sentiment enter
tanned, they will find in Fairhope a
congenial atmosphere and environment
c.. L. COLEMAN.