The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-13

The Capitol was not an impressive struc-
 ture. according to history and tradition.
 It was rectangular brick building two
 stories in height Through the center on smund Winston Pettus was delivered by
 John Tyler Morgan. Morgan later went
 out as private In the Confederate army.
 to rise 10 the distinction of Brigadier
 General. q distinction that was also at
 kainsd by his famous associate. Pettus. l. The traditions of the town have em-
 bAlmed many incidents of its history, which ofer golden opportunities for Q
 writer of talent, the fist fights of the
 carly days. on the main streets; the en-
 counter between Vice President William R. King and Major N. ]. Kenan. which
 narrowly escaped resulting In . duel: the
 fight In which the Bells were killed: the
 human interest story of John T. Nor
 gan's first law case and many others that
 would stir the interest and attention of Alabama's people.
 The social structure was distinctly and typicaliy that of the old South. It was illuminated with the culture. the gsner- osity, the cordiaiity and the pride of the old South. The country round about was dotted with plantation homes of wide open hospitality. Back and forth the families of Cahaba and the families of the planta-
 ton went In exchange sof visits, Tor
 day, for . week. or for month. There was no time limit on hospitality.
 SOCIAL 4SATURES.
 Other features of social fife in Cahaba
 were the annual balls at Saltmarsh Hall.
 upon Jackson's Day, January sth, and washington's birthday. February 1. On other nights of the year the historic old hall rang with music and the cheer full stirring sound of slippered feet upon
 the ball room floor.
 The convening of court inaugurated
 each time social activity. Bar dinners were given each day, first at one hospita- ble home and then at another. To these dinners the judge. the lawyers of the court and other guests were invited.
 ssrhose were great times for the young people," said Mrs. B. A. vasser of
 Selma. who spent part of her girihood in
 Cahahm. "Life in Cahaba was one round
 of pleasure to the young. It was dinners balls and dances. and dances. balls and ainners over again. And those dinnersi None of your modern affairs, with one cracker, one olive and dab of salad. bus a long white table. glittering with silver ware and loaded down with the best or edibles prepared and served in the mosk palatable style"
 Judge B. IT. Craig. of Selma, who was born and reared in Cahaba and who prac-
 tisea law there. speaks of the life of Cahmba tenderly and almost reverently. At picnic on the site of the old town in recent years, he said earnestiyin speak ing to the crowd: .r know the horrors of war: know of pereoIai experience the privations. the sufferlngs and the periis of war but # it could restore Cahaba as it stood before if could Know 1t as once knew #, would willingly endure again the hard- shIpe of the four years war. V Writing Of cshaba In its earlier days John W. puE0Be sn his life of WtlliaH L. Yaneey Bn%Es
 s'Tn ali AraQ1aeA irt town qF eonnsxx ne p6onla Fdt doWh dasiy to more sb tsu!i| di6lkSfb SAfyed Dsi better sefyntlta on rlea' ef fnahoEai1ys no peopie wore nor fasn. li3uable cinshes. rode better 6 onmed hoft2s. wrote q p1rer veruacular or spoks | if with eentier tones" s 2 | An incomplete idea of the importance oi | the town may be gained from the st9te' nent that 1t had at one time. just tefore the war. dsily paper.ia weekly papers telegraph office and railroad connection
 with the outer world. The site of the o'd depot is easily recognized and the right oi way of the railroad through the town ia
 easily discernihle. The rails were talk T | up during the stress of w9r to he useh ir other places for the transportation or con federate soldiers a. Cahaba was Tor many years the largest and most important shipping noi7t iipor | tbe Alabama river. From Dallas and from aiI neighboring counties thousand' of bales of cotton were hauled to Cahaha' { wharf and shipped down the river. The game boats brought in return. the valut uf the cotton in factors suppras.
 There were two brick yards in the town