Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1901-07-13
KICKERS SILENCED.
GEORGIA TOWN PROSPERs IN SPITE
OF GRUMBLERS.


Are n Great Detriment to Progress.
Success of HustIers In Fitzgerald.
A prominent resident OF Fitzgerald
Ga, discussing the remarkable prog
ress of the town recently, said:
"Fitzgerald has passed all the pioneer
dangers which have to be met by n
new claimant for place. 1t is useless to
deny that in the original settlement Of
the place there were many unwilling
to bear their share of the building up
Failing to get everything they wanted,
they became kickers and did all they
could to rctard the growth OF the COM
munity. At the same time the more
conservative Of the colonists fully ap-
preciatcd the advantage of their new
homes and have stuck to the end. The
wedding process is now over, and we
have compact, cosmopolitan pOpula-
ton, Illustrated by the presence of citi-
Zens from every state In the Union and
the existence Of II different church
congregations. The man, therefore, who
cannot get what he calls for in Fitzgcr-
aid Is very hard to please and can be
accommodated nowhere. The people
are thoroughly congenial, fired by but
one ambition, and ready to do anything
for the public veal.
What has already been accomplish
ed in Fitzgerald can readily be synop-
sized. We have more Interstate travel
than any city of similar size in the
state. We have cotton mill capital
lied at 100000, all home capital, and
work IS being rapidly pushed on the
construction of the same The city has
just built and put into operation n
splendid system of waterworks and an
electric light plant operated and owned
by the city. with an abundance of arte-
sian water from well 500 feet deep.
We have an opera house which will ac-
commodate over 600 persons, three
school buildings, two for white and one
for colOrcd children, in which n system
of free schools and free books has been
inaugurated for every child in the city,
either white or colored. We have two
organized brass bands, one drum corps
and one newly organized militia COM
pany.
"Of secret societies we have a
Knights of Pythias lodge of over GO
members, who will soon complete the
organization of their uniform rank
also lodges of MasOns, Odd Fellows,
Ancient Order of United WOrkmen,
Daughters of Rebecca, three Grand Ar
my posts, Women's Relief corps, La
dies of the Grand Army of the Repub-
lie; Sons and Daughters of Veterans,
Young Mems Christian association, be-
sides other societies. Our city also has
an Ice plant, two natatoriumS, race
track, two wholesale grocery houses,
etc.
las for the growth of Fitzgerald. it
may be stated that the population of
Irwin county was 2,G96 In 1880, 6,313 in
1890 and 1889 in 1900, 5000 of whom
were domicilcd In the Fitzgerald do
main. The city Is 400 feet above sea
level, and the death rate so far has
only been 4 to 1000. The character and
variety of our garden work may be
estimated by the statement that the
number of peach trees on colony
grounds Of bearing age Is 76,347, con-
sisting of 81 varieties; number of plum
trees on colony grounds of bearing age,
1900. consisting of q varieties; num-
Der of pear trees on colony grounds of
bearing age. 1000. consisting of IA va
rieties; number of grapevines on colo
ny grounds Of bearing age, 22,000 con-
sisting of % varieties; number of acres
of Strawberries planted in 1900, 1913.
1T was not until one year ago that
we decided to put the commercial
strength of the place to test by the
organization of bank, several bust
ness and trade corporations and cot
ton mill company. The prompt offer of
subscriptions sufficient to more than
take up all the stock offered proved
that there was home capital sufficient
to carry on our enterprises on large
scale and that those having it had con
fidence enough in the city to invest it,
From that moment | date the true be-
ginning of Fitzgerald as a city deter
mined to wrestle with any other city
in the state for leadership. The dou-
bling of capital and population has be-
come so much matter of course that
1t is useless to talk about 1t. If 1t ever
stops long enough to give us breathing
time In which to count up results, we
will do So"