The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-24
THE TENNESSEE VALLEY
 AS FRANK EVANS SEES IT

| Former Mayor Frank V. Evans, who enjoys the reputation of knowing Ala bama from one end to the other, from personal observation is enthusiastic just now about the Tennessee valley. He said 1 last night:
 For three weeks past have been mak- ing observations in North Alabama and especially in the Tennessee valley. and these observations have been published in the columns of the Age-Herald Say what you may of the glorious strength of Alabama, but that is the garden spot. Rich in minerals. it is also rich in agri- cultural lands. The juxtaposition of the two, with the Tennessee river as an out let, there is no section of the continent more inviting to the hand of industry and to capital.
 Interests Capital.
 And then, too, the Tennessee valley has history of deep interest to the pres ent generation and is making a history today which will more deeply impress itself than has all else which has gone before it. In the boom of the sos the eye of capital was turned in that direc- ton, but quick and sudden imitation bur dened progress and really hid from view the genuine possibilities. Agricultural wealth was overlooked and corner lots seemed more inviting. These corner lots proved an ignis fatuas, and natural sur roundings were only a dim feature. The | idea was to build towns and cities and | capital builded too much in season. Then came the manufacturing industries to be silenced for a time by the hand of over-production and of suspension, To- day this is not so.
 tThe whistles are sounding and the wheels of industry are turning. The | bats and the owls have been turned out of the buildings which were erected and the trowel. the saw and the hammer are once again busy in this garden spot of the state. And why? Because agricul- tural progress is the basis of all southern wealth, and is on top; and to these is added the productive hand of industrial development In the Tennessee valley are numerous cotton factories, iron fur naces. woodworking plants, foundries and machine works. and to these are add ed net work of railroads, strong within themselves, and fully able and willing to handle the immense productions of that section.
 Reference to ante-bellum days Is sometimes burdensome, and to speak of war times is much more so. but history is history, and upon 1t is based absolute facts and possibilities. The same possi- bilities for wealth, the same incentives to refinement and the same basis for cul- ture exist in the Tennessee valley today as they did in the olden times. The lands are not worn out, the waters run as freely as ever. the forests of timber have hardly been touched, and the mines of richest minerals will afford wealth for years and perhaps centuries to come. In all of the southland there Is no section so rich in diversified possibilities as is the Tennessee valley
 The Tennessee Valley.
 Speaking of the Tennessee valley, I had a conversation today with w. A. (Baltimore) Smith and Porter Lewis, both old confederate veterans, and they told me of some of their observations and ex- periences. Lewis had before the war. been an employe of the Memphis and Charleston railroad. He was parolled at Jackson, Miss, in '65 and was to wend his way homeward. He knew of the abundant wealth of the Tennessee valley so upon foot took his journey homeward toward Montgomery that way, expecting to find barns and smoke-houses full along the way, as they were wont to be. But not so. The devastating hand of war of the two armies-had been along and destroyed all. and there was destruction and want everywhere-no bed or bread for the weary traveller. Sherman had been there. likewise had Forrest, and all was consumed.
 Said MT. Smith: Mosby. too, had trav- eled that way and I never saw a set of men enjoy fourteen hams as did our company when a goodly Tennessee val ley woman handed them out to our suffer- ing company. She had saved them from the hands of the federals and fed us bountifully and free
 Land of Plenty.
 '.Today there is no hunger and no want in the great Tennessee valley. Those lands produce all things needful for man. The sor and daughters of the confed- eracy have overcome the devastating hand of war; their tears are wiped away. and they are up and doing. There is no war and shall never be again. This is time of peace. progress and development
 'sThe Tennessee valley Is the land of plenty and it's grandeur shall loom up again as never before in all the history of the state" .