Birmingham state herald., 1897-07-14
ONLY \ FEW DAYS MORE And Birmingham Will Be Mak-
 ing Steel EQUAL TO ANY IN THE WORLD Says Pioneer in Iron Making-Speaks by the Card-lndasiral Items of General
 Interest to All.

You can say to the world that Bir- mingham will make steel in a short time. and steel that will equal any ever turned out in any part of the world" said a vet eran iron man to State Herald reporter yesterday. Tt is only a matter of short time" he continued, and the Bir- mngham Rolling Mill company will have the credit for it all. They have the lat est improved appliances, skilled artisans on hand and son the wellzins will ring with the plaudits Well done"
 The above statement was made by a gentleman who has been connected with the manufacture Of iron since 1S4S and who is justly entitled to the name "Picneer" When but six years cid he drove mule hitch t. dump cart load ed with iren ore to the Shelby iron works the oldest plant in the state, which at that time had an output of only three tons p=r day. The pieneer's uncle was furnace master and attended to all the prehminaries around the furnace and un- der his tutelage soon grew up, as it were in the business and for twenty-five years worked around some of the leading fur naces of his day and time in this district. The products of the Shelby iron works were cast into pots and kettles and were sold as fast as manufactured. Sirce leaving the furnace business the gentle man has been otherwise connected with the iron business and al the time of the conversation had just returned from an inspection of the steel plant at the Bir- mngham rolling mills, now nearing com pletion
 Work on he ANondale cotton mills Is being pushed rapidly, and the casual passerby notes the fact with pleasure. Already the second story windows have been reached by the Knights of the Trow- ell and stiil the good work gos brayely on The plant will be an immense one, and $ soon as put in condition the ma chinery will be put in place, and hun dleds of people in Birmingham and AVon- dale will find plenty of lucrative em- ploymen..
 Work on khe steel plaut is being pushed rapidly. and soon BirminghamA will be making the long looked for steel which will make her famous fur more so than sine now Is. The day of the croaker has passed, and heneeforth he will have to seek a mons lucrative employment.
 
 The Birmingham Railway and Electric company is pushing forward the wo1k of changing the EnSley division from a steam 10 an electric division, and the people along tha: well traveled lire are awaiting wi,h interest the tim= when the steam ear will be thing of the past with them. Already have they learned the value of electricity for clean travel. and That the efforts of the company to give them all convenience and comfoIt will be appreciated is assured. II Is understood that the route of the Ensley trains will be changed from their present one and that the cars will go down Eighth ave- nue, and make First avenue and Twen- tie-h street the terminus.
 The age of improvement is on In Bir- mingham, and many new buildings. both residence and business houses, are being erected. 1t was stated to a representa- tive of the State Herald yes; erday that then3 was more building going on at vhe present time in the city than at any one time in several years.
 The Alabama rolling mills at Gate City are being put in repair, and it is expected that they will be put in operation again in short time.