The age-herald., 1900-05-20
A HIVE OF INDUSTRY  Its Marvellous Growth Has Full
 filled All Prophesies. AN IMPORTANT RAILROAD CENTER A Quarter of Million Dollars Paid to Labor Monthly -Pi yressive
 City Government anda
 City of Homes
IN IMPORTANT RAILROAD CENTER

Bessemer Ala, May 19.-That very day in 1887, when Henry F. De Bardeleben placed his finger upon the present site of Bessemer and declared that here should be bulded a city of strength and impor- tanee, his prophecy was as unerring as inspiration could make it, and as sure of fulfllment as were the prophecies of holy writ. And why? Because he chose for foundation an everlasting deposit of coal, iron and limestone, close enough to Bir- mingham to enjoy her every advantage, and far enough away not to be overshad- owed by Birmingham's elements of strength and prosperity.
 Atty from the St Tt
 No American city has a history similar to that of Bessemer This was never mere village, little town. It was planned and mapped for a strong and wig orous city from it's very beginning It's pro- jectors sought no railroad crossing, and 1t was never a mere station on the road" It not drawn to it's present location by the magnetism of steel rails, but the magnetic power of it's very foundation has drawn to 1t the rails, the locomotives, and the cars of half a dozen great railroad lines, and many more will seek an en- trance here, for the invitation is broad, the tonnage great, and the outlook inspir- ing. Bessemer is, and has been from the day of its birth, producer rather than a consumer.
 Fire Limits First
 Before single lot was ever sold in Bes- semer, the site was modernaly plotted: and even fire limits were fixed, within which limits purchasers were forbidden to erect frame buildings. Hence there i'm mediately arose in the center of Bessemer block after block of substantial modern business houses, built of brick, stone and marble-buildings which would prove cred itable to any city of a hundred thousand population or more. These still stand, and to them many have been added.
 New Life in Bessemer
 IL IS not my purpose to paint Bessemer anew. She needs none of that The story Of her birth, growth and rapid develop ment has been told many, many times. She is not today suffering the torture of a boom, and yearns for permanent ex- emption therefrom. But surely there is new life here. Even the past twelve months have wrought a wonderful change There is not an idle smoke stack not a silent whistle, not closed workshop in all of Bessemer today Better still. there is not an idle man here who is able and will ing to work. There is wide-awake activity upon every side. New buildings are visible in every direction. The sound of hammer. saw and trowel are keeping perfect time with the music of the great productive force. and Bessemer is enjoying a season of general reawakening, which is pleasing to behold.
 Bessemer has never been asleep for a moment. She has never been an idler nor drone, but ever self-sustainine Of course, she has gone through seasons of depression, but she has overcome them fully and has grown stronger each year of her growth.
 Young But Strong
 Let 1t be remembered that the city of Bessemer is only thirteen Q3) years old. and today she has a fixed population of about 1000 people-not transients but home people. She has all of the great raii- roads which touch Birmingham entering her corporate limits and handling at this point greater tonnage than even the great city Of Birmingham affords. Young Bes- semer has today the right to the proud distinction of being called a great railroad center.
 Figures That Speak
 Figures speak louder than words" and their laconic formation have proven more attractive and convincing than word paint ing in these latter days. Figures are facts, not opinions, and facts are ever convinc- ing. Therefore your correspondent has just had prepared the following table, which is a truthful picture of the present productive forces of Bessemer:
 Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad Com pany-Five blast furnaces S7O coke ovens monthly output, 1S,0O0 tons of pig iron and 23OO0 tons of coke; men employed, S7O; monthly pay roll, $30,OOO.
 Bessemer Rolling Mils-Monthly output, 5000 tons finished iron and steel; men em- ployed, 600; monthly pay roll, $30, ,0O0
 Stot ct dry Company-Monthly output, 5000 tons pipe; men employed, 600; estimated month ly pay roll, $25,O00.
 Central Foundry Company-Soil pipe and soil goods; monthly output, 1,S00 tons; men employed, 300; pay roll, sl0,O00.
 Bessemer Soil Pipe Company-M Monthly output, coo tons; men employed, 100; pay roll, 5000.
 Bessemer Foundry and Machine Com- pany-(General foundry york; k.)-Monthly output, 1,20O tons; men employed, so; pay roll, s3,600
 Bessemer Fire Brick Works-Wonthly output, 100000 fire brick; men employed, S5; pay roll, 5000.
 A.. c. Sharpley Brick Yard-Monthly out put, 100000 red brick; men employed, 35; monthly pay roll s1OOO.
 E. w Klann Brick Yard-Monthly out put, SOO,00O red brick men employed, 25; pay roll, $500.
 Krebs Manufacturing Company-Lumber and Scroll Work-Men employed, 20; pay roll, $500.
 Bessemer Rock Quarry Company Monthly output, 5000 tons; men employed, 40; pay roll, $1,400
 Bottling Works, Ice Factory and Electric Light Plant-Men employed, 25; pay roll, $500.
 Within three miles of Bessemer are the following:
 Woodward Iron Company lTwo Furnaces) Men employed, 1000; monthly pay roll, go, ,OOo