The age-herald., 1902-01-17
BEST YEAR IN THE HISTORY OF THE CITY OF DESSEMER  Land company's Report Re- fleets Prosperity ofthe
 Municipality
IMPROVED IN EVERY WAY
Population Increases, Street Improve nent Goes Ahead, and, in Fact, Everything Is Shown to Be
 On the Up Grade.

'
 ly all of the unimproved property in the city of Bessemer and much of the inn proved property, it operates the Belle Ellen coal mines, which have a capac- ity of 25OO tons of steam coal day.
 The report of President Badham shows the company to be in better condition than ever in It's history, and the net earn
 ings of the past year to have been nine
 per cent of the capital stock.
 The officers and directors elected for tho ensuing year are as follows: Mir. H L.. Badham, president and treasurer; MT. Walker Percy, vice president; MT. R. F. Evans secretary; directors Messrs. James Bowron. David Roberts, A. l. Dex- ter, N. E. Barker, Erskine Ramsay, Walker Percy and H. L. Badham. In speaking about the meeting, President Badham said
 Best Year In Its History.
 ''Yes. we held meeting of the stock. holders of the Bessemer Land and Inn provement Company today. The business for the past year was the best in the history of the company. The output of coal has exceeded, that of any previous year nearly jsoeIOOO tons.
 Where do you dispose of it?"
 We sell principally to the railroads but during the past year we shipped. large quantity of this coal for export. and our coal has given perfect satisfaction. .t we had it to spare we could export during the next month several thousand tons.
 "The stockholders of the company are equally as we'll pleased with the reports on the city of Bessemer. The improve ments of the large corporations at the various ore mines near to and tributary to Bessemer have infused a considerable amount of vigor into the purchase of lots and the construction of houses. We un- derstand that further large Improvements near Bessemer are contemplated in an 1 industrial way, and in the city of Besse- ] mer proper there are now in course of 1 construction many large and handsome
 business buildings. and the city seems
 to have now steady and upward growth l There can not be much doubt but that 1 all real estate in the city of Bessemer I will very materially advance within the ;. present year.
 ''The directors, who own large amount
 of the stock of the company, are strong
 body of men, and give much of their time 1 and thought to the advancement of the l interests of the company, thus facilitating very materially the management of the companys affairs
 "Bessemer now has a population of 10,- 600, continued MT. Badham. "and at the | rate that 1t has been growing in the past ] six months, I expect to see it city of | l5.000 inhabitants within the next two years. The people of Bessemer are liber- | al, progressive and energetic. The banks | as we'll as the business men are doing a thriving business"
 Mayor Huey Talks. In discussing the meeting of the land company and the general Improvements | in Bessemer. Mayor Huey said today: "fhis has been the most prosperous year in the city's history. By this I mean l that more substantial progress has been made than in any former year. The city's | receipts last year were S63, GOO, against s50o0O In 1900. while during no previous year did they exceed $30,000.
 Much money has been spent in street and sidewalks, has 1t not?' was asked. We have expended almost S14000 or more in this manner Thirty-six thousand feet of grading cherting and curbing has been done. greatly improving the appear ance of the city and adding much to the value of property. Fifth avenue has been opened up as far the corporate limits connecting with the new county road; Nineteenth street from Berkeley to Dart mouth avenues has also been opened up, thus embracing the desirability and eligi- bility of some of the most attractive resi- dence pi operty of the city. We have spent great deal of money in South Bessemer opening up streets and ave- nues. In fact. Improvements of this char acter have been general throughout the city"
 To Continue Improvements. And these Improvements will be con- 1 tinued. In addition. we intend this wear to establish a complete sewage system for the entire city. It will cost $70, 900, the money to be raised by the issuance of l bonds. We will also build two new school houses, one of brick for white l children in the First ward. the other n l frame building in the Fourth ward. for colored children. These buildings will cost S15.0OO and we find 1t necessary to build them to accommodate the large number of children attending school
 Our population Is increasing very rap- idly. In 1900 the census gave us 63OO Now. in 1901. about 200 residents were built in the city limits. Many of these were double and are occupied probably by 300 families When we consider that five is the average allowance to family and there Is not a vacant house in town we would haNe an increase in population of 1500 giving us almost 5000. There are not less than 16.0oO people living with in radius of two miles of the city hall Besides the residences referred to a large number of substantial brick business houses have been erected. Building of this kind is constantly going on.
 Demand for Property.
 The demand for rental property is con- stant As soor as the foundations are laiq in most instances the houses are rented Rents are not exorbtant but yield a good per cent on the investment. You would be surprised were I to name you the prominent men of wealth and sagacitys who are constantly investing their money here. To return for a mo- ment to the city's affairs we are making some Improvements in the equipment of our fire department. We have just or dered a new hose wagon with ladders at tached and chemical tanks. It will carry about 1D0 feet of hose. We have also just purchased a fine new span of horses for this work.
 Tn regard to the new electric line be- lieve the people are glad to have it. Some have suggested that it may take away something from the trade of our local merchants. but believe time will prove to the contrary. It is understood that the