Fitzgerald enterprise. (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1895-1912, 1903-07-28
Fitzgerald, Georgia.

Last week offer by the Chamber of Com
merce of $50 for the best Fitzgerald The following
written by Clayton Jay, took the prizes
Life is too short to attempt entire history of Fitz
gerald well known throughout the south the Colony
City, Sufficient it is to say that in 1896 $40 900 was paid
Tor large tract OF pine lands in Irwin County, South
Georgia. upon which to settle colony of ex-union soldiers
and their people, Today that colony consists of 5000
1000 OF whom make up the city of Fizgerad-and the
taxable property of the city alone to 81 100000
The white population is evenly divided between
the Yankee Northern coons and the native
Georgans who live in the utmost accord with the most
intimate business and social relations The percentage of
negro population smaller than many other Southern COM
munity.
You are naturally interested in town like that But
you may be more interested than you know
The South is the West of Yesterday without her biz
yards, drouths and cyclones and future is yours
fitzgerald is the most progressive town in GEORGIA.
considering it's size It's population and the value of it's
property has doubled inside of two years. and there has
been no let the number of incoming people or in the
increase of business or industries.
Water works, electric lights, fire department ETC.
nave been long ago etabished City Hall has been re-
Gently built at cost of $8,0OO.OO
Between seventyive and one hundred business houses
clustered in the the town. To realize the
amount of business done you have only to note this one
instance young beginning with 5000 in 1896 sold
out tor $4,000 in five years renvested his money in and
around the city and offered few months AGO 600
for his holdings One of the three banks has cleared
ST. in three years. it's competitors are on like foot
ing.
cotton factory, oil MILL ginnery cotton compress.
variety works, wagon works, foundry, planning mills and
the like contribute to the weekly pay roll
For the church goers there twelve churches and
tor late-home-coming husbands, eleven lodges.
Railroads lead out from the city in six directions
carrying cotton lumber fruits to the northern and
eastern markets.
There are no better farming lands in the United
States The seasons are fine. Upon acre there can
be produced 40 bushels OATS rye 12 rice from
20 to OO sugar syrup 200 500 gaons Irish pota
toes, $50; sweet potatoes, 800; hay 1000 bs cotton as
much land in the be the long and short STAPLE
grow to perfection. Nearly all tropical plants grow we'll
here.
The climate is mild. Gentle gulf breezes filtered bv
the life giving pines balm to the invalid and ov to
the anxious parent brother or friend.
In the winter there great sport for the hunter amono
the quail and wild turkey The streams abound in fish
Snow only kind gift every few years to the fun loving
tourist hotel contains 200 and is open all the wear
around.
The summer brings strokes but only COOLING
fruits and vegetables to the busy with frequent trps
to the magnolia lined streams neghboring picnic
grounds.
letter addressed to ]. E. Mercer, President of the
Chamber of Commerce. will secure more particular nfor
nation.
81 ~ y - 81 81 " y & - 81 - a = 10000