The age-herald., 1902-02-20
BY HOMER GEORGE.

Alexander City, February 19.-(Special Correspondence.) )-Probably no class of men in the State are in better positions to express correct estimates of towns than drummers-men who visit all places and who represent jobbing interests from which the local merchant secures sup plies for the farmers. They have bet ter knowledge than any casual visitor of what a place has to support it. They know the amount of capital 1t has and where that capital comes from. They know now much the merchant sells. They know what investors may find attractive. They know the very town itself.
 Accordingly when one of these men tells you that a place Is worthy of atten- ton, that it is a hustling business cen- ter, you may bet your money it is place where investments may be made profit able. Also that the social life Is such as to make it an attra ctive home community.
 In speeding of Alexander City a sales man representing a strong business firm, and traveling the entire State of Ala bama said to me:
 You will find this city one of the most prosperous In the South. There are more than thirty business houses here. and I dare say not a proprietor is working but who is making money. Yet merchandise is sold at a close margin of profit and competition sometimes seems very strong. The territory from which trade is drawn is very large; the merchants are pro- gressive; the cotton buyers pay high prices, and all things tend to attract to the town. I really consider it one of the best business towns In the State."
 Good Farming Class.
 The time I spent in the city l consider profitable. l met all the more promi- net business men and must say l was never more impressed with any mum Der of country merchants in all my ramblings over the State and in Georgia before coming here. There seemed to be a pro nounced quality of progressiveness and sterling ability in the very faces of these men.
 Apart from tho merchants were num- Der of professional mon who help make up an ideal two -thousand-inh city. 1 saw number of farmers from the ter ritory imm ediately surrounding the place. All struck me as being men who carried common sense and frugality in the liv- ing of their lives. They seemed to be men who in their homes on farms were more than mere Men with Hoes." There was an air about them that signified they got more out of life than the average town man will admit man in the coun- try can get. Withal it seemed that an excellent settlement of people resided about Alexander City.
 Country of Gold.
 Just above this place stands Sylacauga on her crest of marble, still further up the State are the various cities with coal and iron ore underlying foundations, but here Is city under which there is gold-pure, yellow stuff. Just what the quantity Is I dare not say. It is here however. for only a few miles from the city limits is one of the most complete gold mining plants in the South. It is be- ing operated extensively, too And 1t is said to be paying, although no state ments will be made by the men who own 1t and who are giving their time, energy and money to the work of digging the ore, crushing it, and turning to the market the metal secured.
 It Is enough to say they have been working several months and they have spent more than s25,000 in building their plant with its crushing outfits and other fine machinery This one mine I allude to is only four miles distant from the Mayors office. Throughout the entire county of Tallapoosa are other mines, several being located between this place and Dadeville. the county seat. The amount of money realized from these gold mines has never been made public, the owners preferring to work quitely and along their own lines.
 Development Association.
 Nothing better exemplifes the progress siveness of the citizens than the fact of the organization of an Industrial and De- velopment Association. which has for it's work the upbuildng of the town and sur rounding county. This association has at its head Dr. J. A. Goggins, president; J. C. Manning. secretary, and Benjamin Russell, treasurer. Its work consists of writing letters to various capitalists and farmers throughout the entire United States, making efforts to secure their location in the county. It also spends much money in advertising the town in various industrial magazines and in other ways
 The work of the association has inter- ested many capitalists and other indi- viduals in the city so far; and some of | these are now arranging to locate dif- ferent industrial plants in the community The inducements said to be offered are such that have attracted a number of | farmers to the community from the Northwest, and give promise to have others come this way.
 Although Dadeville is the county seat of Tallapoosa, Alexander City has SC. cured the passage of a special act of the Legislature granting 1t a branch of the civil court. In the near future another bill will be introduced, seeking to have branch of the probate judges office To- cated in the city for the benefit of it's citizens. It is believed the movement will be successful as the present probate judge has expressed a willingness to afford the city such an accommodation if bill can be passed with that in view.
 Handles Much Cotton.
 The cotton market here is one of the best in the State. The prices paid are always high owing to the competition for trade by the local merchants, who do