The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-03
PROSPEROUS LAFAYETE
SUBSTANTIAL TOWN THE coUN-
 TY SEAT OF CHAMBERS.
Its Merchants Enjoy the Distinction of Having c Railroad of Their
 own-Some of the
 Leading Citizens.

Lafayette, Nov. so.-(Srecial Cores pondence. .)-Lafayette is the county site of Chambers County, one Of the leaoing counties of East Alabama, noted just now for its large majority for the new Constitution, and for having in its bor- ders only one white man who was op- posed to its adoption. Lafayette enjoys the distinction of having a railroad or it's own, which runs from here to Ope- lika, twenty-three miles away.
 A few years ago the merchants Of La- fayette found that they were being dis- eriminated against in the matter G,a or the owner of the branch road running from Opelika through this city to Hoa, noke, in Randolph County. The road made this city its terminus = TOT tna s"me dis. tributing and trading point for all this the rich and fertile section. But Tn the natural course of events the roao was was quite a blow to Lafayette in bus mess way. The points beyond became strong competitors and spirit of rival " was the outcome which resulted resulted m m the merchants of the towns and they are operating 1t now at a profit, and at just and fair equitable rates,
 This road gets all the local freight and much of the travel to Lafayette. It only extends from here to Opelika and is run tndependent of all rules and schedules going and coming when 1t pleases but
  at Opelika. The operation of this road is an unusual and unique distinction en- joyed by no other town in Alabama and as the venture Is proving profitable 1t is likely to be continued as long as the mer- chants hold together-and so far they have stood like a stone wall in their determination to have rates or frelght which they deem right and equitable, their own to obtain 1t.
 Lafayette has many enterprising. thor cughzgoing. public spirited, prosperous business men, who have built up private through many generations. being hand ed down from father to son. but there are no great enterprises Of any charac- ter. There are electric lights and tele- phones, but these are new being agl- tated.
 The town is growing in population gradually and there Is good demand Tor real estate. every house that is habit able being occupied. There is ficurtsh- ing college, where young men and young women receive every advantage or a modern academic education, with Bap- list, Presbyterian and Methodist churches | all having large congregations and popu- | lar. consecrated pastors. A new court house has recently been erected by the | County, which Is an ornament to the town. and will serve the purposes of the County for long time.
 | In 1870 Lafayette had population of 1882 and in 1900 only a little over 1.6o0. l | or increased in the number of its inhab- | itants very rapidly. There are more ne- groes than whites in the beat which in- | cludes the town of Lafayette and it is shows that there are only seventy-seven I more white than colored voters in the | County. and fin 1890 there were only 300 more negroes than whites, while under | the last census the whites are in a small majority.
 This town has given to the State some | of its most notable men. whose names | are perpetuated and honorably sustained | by worthy descendants. such as the Dow dells, Barnes. McLemores. Mitchells. Al- lens and Drivers.
 Among the most important person ages in the town there are Judge J. A. Driver, Jr.. who is now the Probate Judge of the County and who Is making model officer. He is the leading spirit in every public and private enterprise and Is one of the most highly honored and esteemed of the towns citizens. Hs is prominent in all political movements and represents the County in State, Dis nlittees and Is safe political adviser.
 Judge J. J. Robinson Is one of the oldest citizens of the town and has often represented the County in the Senate and House. His services ip the Senate fin re- construction days are we'll remembered and appreciated by the people of the en- tire State and the people of the County are especially grateful to him for his
 
 debtedness to the State. as this was one of the strangulated counties. He was at ono time Probate Judge of the County and was a member of the last Ccnstitu- tlonal Convention. He is now practicing law
 Mir J. B. Duke Is a partner of Judge Robinson in the practice of the law and has forced himself to the front and gain ed success on his merit. He Is full of energy. is able and alert and has built up a large practice. He has been Mayor of the town several times and was member of the last Constitutional Con- vention when he made as much charac- ter and reputation as any of the younger members.
 Messrs. L. Scheussler and M. W. Allen bear honored names that have been household words here since the founda- tion of the town and in a personal and business way are well maintaining them. They are among the leading and most substantial citizens and make themselves felt in every movement that Is for the good and progress of the town.
 n ETY ARzT