Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1903-03-14
PLUCK IN THE SOUTH
HOW TOWNS HAVE BEEN BUILT UP
IN ALABAMA.
Enterprise, Energy and Money,
Rightly Used. Have Worked Won
dens-RaiIrOad Built by IA Southern
Town of 1 900 People.


dens-RaiIroad Built by IA Southern
Town Of 1000 People.
Pluck has played Il great part in the
rehabilitation of the great south. Mon
ey has been a potent factor, but pluck
has been a dynamic force behind it.
No section has been made to grow into
greatness by steady strides with great
er effect than has that portion en-
braced by the states of Georgia and
Alabama.
Industrial enterprises schools, col
leges, factories and. indeed, all other
agencies for the upbuilding of towns,
cities and villages. for the propagation
of the gospel of work, the dcthrone-
ment of error and the establishment of
truth and righteousness in the land,
have marked this glorious country as
goodly land, says the AtlAnta Con
stitutiun. There is one of these dcvel-
upcrs which we wish to note SpectiCal-
ly in this sketch and one instance we
wish to cite to show what may be done
when pluck and money are linked to-
gethcr.
Some years ago. during the boom
days in Alabama, Il great excavation
was being made for the erection of Il
mammoth building. Money was play
ing Il great part in the enterprise, as
We're also males and negroes. On be-
ing asked if the project was not Il huge
undertaking, an old negro replied;
Eyes, sir, boss; but you know money,
mules and negroes can do anything
Indeed So for these three, when unit
ed. form a strong combination for the
accomplishment of great things.
This was cXempliticd some three or
four years ago in a little town i'll east
Alabama Of not more than LOCO peo-
pie. The merchants of this town. real
izing that they We're being discrimi-
mated against by certain railroad,
decided to go into the railroad bust
ness themselves. whereupon they met,
organized and within a few weeks
had an engineer out making Il prclim-
mary survey of the proposed route.
Books of subscription We're opened,
and only few days passed till all the
stock was taken by home men.
Dubious ones hooted ut the idea of
little town building Il railroad, cynicS
sneercd, kickers prophesied failure, but
owners alorg the line had cause to run
their lands up to fancy prices, and old
fields suddenly became choice property.
Some few had confidence enough in
the project to back their Judgment
with their money.
Time moved on, and within year
the road was completed, the rolling
stock installed and the company ready
for business. Every day since the
trains have been running on schedule
time. The road handles all of the 10
600 bales of cotton marketed i'll the
town. 1t hauls all of the freight
brought in and carried out. 1t prac-
tically does all of the vast business Of
the town and the country adjacent
thereto. 1t has paid well. Doubters
are now strong hackers and confident
ly {. ..'' IKE promoters of the enter
pr do whatever they say they
VIII Especially If it is to build Il
raiii..,G. The kickcrs still kick but
hecaU.,, they failed to see their prOph-
eccS fulfilled.
This story of the building of the rail
road by Il small town is no fiction. The
successful carrying out of the project
Mt n time when money was hard TO
get and business was dull was one of
the wonders of the times. The enlarge
ment of the scheme by this proposed
extension is pregnant with hopes for
greater things. 1t has by all tokens
the development of section that may
be made one of the centers of indus
trial growth of the great south.
What one small town did in railroad
building any town can do by pluck, en-
ergy and money rightly used.