The age-herald., 1902-03-25
MAYOR J. E. LAKEWOOD OF eApspEN.


 Gadsden, March 24.-(Speclal. .)-Because of the location near here of an elegant summer hotel and other attractions tend ing to draw those fearful of summer heat Gadsden is known throughout the South. The city is also noted for it's numerous industries.
 Flowing at the outskirts of the busi- ness center is the Coosa river, that body of water which has been the cause of so much fighting in Congress over improve ments scheduled and promised by the Re- publican committeeman, but turned down at various times when this river is given such Improvements as are desired the city will awaken to a new life.
 The most striking thing to a stranger in Gadsden is the hustle of the place and the number of manufacturing plants. Ev- cry merchant seems busy-almost too much so to talk about the greatness or the place; and at the banks information to the effect that the payrolls of the plants run over $2Oo00 per month was giv- en out. With such a nucleus no wonder the city is prominent in the business world and is giving promise of much more.
 Gadsden is surrounded by rich mineral and timber lands. Excellent competing railway systems touch here, and give spice to the fighting life of the worker who always wants the best for the least. They place the city's 6OoO inhabitants in close touch with the outer world. Beautiful Falls
 The famous Black creek, or Noccalulu falls, are among the most prominent feat ures of the scenic beauty surrounding Gadsden, and these are formed by mountain torrent leaping 96 feet from the top of the mountain into an Alpine gorge about 200 feet wide with perpendicular walls 60 to 100 feet high for nearly mile below the falls. This is the most won- derful formation on the continent, as the recess behind the water will seat and shelter 5000 people. The dummy line climbs chamois-like, to the mountains summit, and aids materially in the de- velopment of the Highlands, which IS the name given to the elevation.
 The Highlands are over 12OO feet above the sea level and furnish one of the most delightful resorts in the South.
 Gadsden derived its name from General Gadsden of South Carolina, and was To- cated and laid out by Gabriel Hughes, Joseph Hughes and John s. Moragne In the year 1846 The city was plated by w. s. Brown, and was incorporated Tn looi and made the county seat of Etowah county.
 The first postoffice was established here in 1S36 and was called Double Springs.
 The growth of the place has not been of a snasmodic order, but steadily ana surely 1t has advanced to the fore' ana Is naturally one of the most picturesque cities in the South
 Five years ago efforts were maoe to attain perfection in systematic graaua- tion and classification in the schools. The ooursa of study. both in scope and ar raneement. is that which the best au- tborities on public school work have adopted and it is but expressing It mildly to say that the efforts made on behalf of the schools were successful bntnusi- asm and ability on the part or teachers have added their quota to the excenehce which the school have attained Tn Tact the public schools of this city are recog- nized as the best educational institutions in the state under the public system or training the youth en masse A large brick building known as the Disque High School in honor of Judge Disque, with modern improvements for health, conven- fence and safety has lately been com pleted. It has lecture and recitation rooms and offers ample space for all here and those who may come. What City Has. Population 60O0
 Court house, $75.0O0 fine system of free schools. The Disoue High School, which is nearing completion, is one of the finest and most handsomely equipped in the south. Fifteen churches, 1 Baptist, 2 Metho- dist. 1 Presbyterian, 1 Cumberland Pres
 byterian, 1 Catholic, 1 Christian and Episcopal for the white people; 6 church es for the colored people. One perfect street railway system. the l Alabama City, Gadsden and Attalla Union railway. Handsome, up-to-date electric | cars leave Gadsden every half hour for | Alabama City and Attalla. Five railroads, Nashville and Chatta-
 nooga Louisville and Nashville, Southern | Chattanooga Southern and Alabama | Great Southern.
 | Two bakeries.
 | A complete system of water works on | Coosa river.
 Boats twice a week from Gadsden to | Greenport and vice versa. l Steamers making regular trips from | this point to Greensport Ala. | Good fire department.
 Streets unusually broad and we'll kept
 and hardened with deep layers of chert.
 Local and long distance telephone, the | Alabama and Georgia Long Distance
 Telephone Company, R. L. Adams, man
 ager.
 Two telegraph offices, Western Union | and Postal.
 l Two large hotela-