The age-herald., 1902-02-16
SYLACAUGA BUILDED
 ON MARBLE FOUNDATION
BY HOMER GEORGE.

their products from miles and miles around.
 large warehouse is in the town for the benefits of all raisers who are not anxious to sell their goods immediately upon bringing the same to the city, This warehouse Is we'll prepared to care for the cotton, and receives many bales dur ing the course of a season.
 The farmers all use fertilizers. Mer- chants do paying business in this ne- cessity. which is required for the produc- ton of high grade of fleece upon the lands hereabouts. This fact brings in- to further and more extensive use the warehouses. Next season a fertilizer fac- tory will be established by the cotton oil mill company. It will manufacture high grade guanos and acids and will hold in Talladega county much money now going from its borders. It will also give employment to a large number of la borers and add to the income of the work ing people of the vicinity. The estab- lishment of this plant was decided upon some months ago. and work will begin upon its erection next summer.
 Capital Is Local.
 The money used in building Sylacauga is all local money-coin secured by hard work and right-living here in Talladega County by men reared here. The town has no mortgages It has no outside cap- ital. It owes no debts. The elegant brick business houses and the striking residences are all the product of money earned by years of close attention to bus mess by local citizens.
 The men who now stand as leaders in Sylacauga were men of little means a few years back They have stuck to their choice of home and work. Success is the result Several years ago banker and large merchant of today came into the city with but little. He began a mer- cantile business. Slowly he accumulated and added to his store. Now few men in cities much larger can claim more than he has. Thus builded, the future of the town cannot be other than bright. The foundation is too solid for failure.
 The volume of business done in the lit- tie Marble City is enormous. Trade comes from many miles around. Farmers secure supplies and bring in their prod ucts from a territory extending into other counties.
 Five thousand bales of cotton raised in the county are used at the mills of the cotton manufacturing plant. This plant cost more than $15O.OO0. and is owned by the Central Mills. D. l.. Lewis is the President of the company, while M B. Lewis is Secretary, Treasurer and Gener- al Manager. Hosiery yarns are manufac- tured.
 The company operates 100S0 spindles, and runs both night and day. It makes yarns running from IS to 30 It owns forty five operative houses, and gives employ ment to more than 300 people.
 Hosiery Mills.
 The Marble City Hosiery Mills are owned by T. J. Matthews, one of the strongest citizens of the city. This plant manufactures cotton hose. It gives em- ployment to about seventy-five people and Is situated near the central portion of town. MT. Matthews is also proprietor of the Marble City Flouring Mills. where the full roller system is in operation. A saw mill Is another industry of this pro- gressive man. He has also recently erect ed one of the handsomest hotels in the State in town. The building Is Of brick, two-stories in height and builded upon modern plans. It is elegantly furnished, has all kinds of water, Is heated by steam and has other attractions novel idea of the builder is the placing of Bible in every room. This place is the Hotel Rex, and is managed by Mrs. Mag gie Pope Smith.
 The site of the new cotton mills was selected last summer, and few days ago the buildings for the plant were com pleted. Machinery will be placed within the next few months and in a short time the factory will be in operation. It will be called the Alabama Mills. Dr. J. E. Pearson is President of the company, while the Secretary and Treasurer is s. P. Mcdonald. The plant will knit cotton hose and will have capacity of from 5000 to 10000 pairs per day.
 An important industry Is the burning of charcoal for shipment to the iron fur naces throughout the State. The income from this source received In Sylacauga amounts to from 5000 to $4000 per month. This amount makes it one of the most productive sources from which money is received in the district.
 The Mayor of Sylacauga is a young man. He is T. J. Johnston, and is part ner Tn one of the best business firms of the city. He Is man of progress and VIII endeayor to institute several modern ioeas curing the term of his administra- tion or office. He has only been in bus mess about one year. The firm name of ms company is Johnston & Looney. They do general merchandise business and aireaoy nave volume of business very extensive. 'e's Personal Gossip.
 The plant of the Southern e,o+tox o,, Company is under the Management of " A. Burns. Sixty men are given emnlo,,. ment while the plant is running f,,,, time. About 4000 tons of seed are handled A gin plant in connection with the mill has capacity of 2500 bales of cotton per season. The company will add a fertiJ- izer plant to It's present property next summer It owns water works plant from which the city Is supplied with ar- tesian water from the Big Springs."
 The two banks of the city are the Peo- pies Bank and the Bank of SylacauRa. The officers of the former are J. W. Brown, president; F. H. Kaupp, vice. president and W. J. Cannon. secretary. It has capital stock of s50OO0. The of- ficers of the Bank of Sylacauga are J. E. Pearson. president; J. B. Mcdonald, vice-president and s. P. Mcdonald, cash fer. E. w. Ledbetter was cashier until a few days ago when he resigned to enter other business.
 J. ". Brown is proprietor of one of the largest general mercantile houses in the county. He does an extensive supply business. and has a large volume of trade.