The Birmingham age-herald., 1903-11-22

circulated in this city for a free postal delivery system and ten thousand names were signed thereto. Therefore within the limits of Florence and close by are ten thousand people. This makes Flor ence one of the larger cities of the state. and shows a large increase of population since the last census. This statement is more convincing than would be the claim of the most wavering boomer.
 Beautiful Florence.
 Florence is not on boom and her peo- pie do not seem to desire anything of that kind. The city Is strong, substantial ly built. is financially solvent and occu- pies socially and religiousIy one of the first positions in the state, while the hygl- enic and climatic conditions of the place are superb. Like Huntsville, Florence Is one of the older towns of the state, having been founded the year that Ala bama became a state, 1873. Its classic name was given it by an Italian engineer who planned the city. Andrew Jackson, James Madison and James Monroe are said to have been members of the first land company which founded Florence
 
 the future, and following the interesting work of these pioneers came forth the beautiful city on the banks of the Tennes- see. Before the war it was a seat of wealth and refinement-a pretty charm ing somnolent residence place for the wealthy planters of this section. Today her streets are lined with typical ante bellum residences, and dotted among these are modern homes-so that here, too, is a mingling of the New and the Old. Florence presents a vivid picture of blending of the spirit of ante-bellum days and the spirit of today.
 Strong Position.
 The commanding natural position occu- pied by Florence attracted the attention of the boomers of the sos, and of course the city enjoyed the buoyancy of the high tide, and bore the burden and dis appointment of the depression which so soon followed the tremendous infiation. Yet this depression could not long con tinue for Florence people are ever hope full and full of energy. They know no such word as fail.
 The city is fortified by every natural advantage; situated in rich agricultural section on the banks of the Tennessee river, with rich timber lands so near on the one side, and enormous deposits of brown hematite ores on the other, there would be no failure here. Nature laid the foundation here for a city and her invi- tation to man cannot be rejected.
 Agriculture the Basis.
 Here in Lauderdale county. as elsewhere in the Tennessee valley. agriculture is the basis of wealth, while forestry and manufacturing enormously supplement the wealth of the community.
 As an agricultural region, that contigu- ous to Florence is not surpassed by any section of the country. It is indeed the farmers kingdom, where he always reaps an abundant harvest. The soil, in many instances. has an open flexible structure and quickly absorbs the most excessive rains, retaining its moisture with great tenacity. This being the case it is not so easily affected by drouth. The diversity of the soil adapts these lands to great variety of crops.
 Tobacco has been very successfully grown and of an exceptionally fine quail ty, though only recently introduced. Corn, cotton wheat, rye sorghum, millet sweet and Irish potatoes. clover. etc, are the principal products. But it Is the fact that the soil and the climate admit not only of a great varity of crops, but also of a succession of them in the same year and upon the same ground, that the ad-
 
 for hay and a third cutting for seed. is the rule. A crop of potatoes is followed in the same season by an abundant yield of corn; oats are harvested and the same land planted in potatoes for a late crop. This enables the farmer to really do the work of two years in one, and realize the same results from one acre, that he would from two elsewhere, and under different conditions.
 Waterways and Drainage.
 No section has a more complete and rapid system of natural drainage, or a more abundant supply of pure, fresh wa ter, than this. Both man and beast may slack their thirst from a thousand peren- nial fountains, which gush in limpid streams from the hill sides and wend their way through verdant valleys and along smiling leagues of choice and pro- ductive lands. varying in size. as they onward flow, from the diminutive brook let to the giant river.
 Here nature has generously bestowed her attractions of climate, soil, and scenery to please and gratify man, while earning his bread by the sweat of his brow. Being thus munifcently endowed Florence and her tributary regions, offer superior Inducements to the farmer, and bid him enter her broad domains and avail himself of her varied resources.
 Transportation.
 These fertile lands and prolific valleys the minerals of these hills and mountains invited the iron horse of civilization" to Florence long years ago. Besides river navigation this country is traversed from north to south by the Louisville and Nashville railroad, and here at Florence meets the Southern railway, thus the city enjoys most excellent transportation facilities-the great Tennessee river hold ing in check rates of freight.
 Be 1t remembered that these three cities of Florence, Sheffield and Tuscumbia en- joy the blessings of river rates.
 Many Manufactures.
 ized at s1.500,000, employing 2OOO people and doing an annual business of g, 100000 doing an anual business of $2,5O0,0OO.
 Florence has two. cotton mills with over 20,000 .spindles. Florence ships ten million slaves annually. Florence makes 1000 wagons a year. Florence industries have a monthly payroll of $35000. Florence makes G0,000 tons pig Iron and uses 125,- 600 tons iron ore, and 70.0O0 tons coke. Florence has more industries and great CT variety than any town In this end of the state. Florence has the finest unde- veloped water power in the south at Mdssel Shoals, on the Tennessee river.
 A German Colony.
 Mir Thurston H. Allen. of this city, who is one of the most progressive of all Tennessee valley men, and who has been instrumental in bringing men and money to this section relates to the writer the following story of German colony in this county, which shows what has been