The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-01
FIRST IMPRESSION
 SOON DISTILLED AshvilIe People Are Noted for
 Their Hospitality FRUIT GROWING COUNTRY Excellent Opportunity Is Offered for Investment in St. Clair County
 Because of the Possibli-
 ties of the Soil.
FRUIT GROWING COUNTRY
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

Ashville, March 31.-(Special)--It is often said that the first impressions are always the most lasting. Well, the first impression of Ashville made upon the visitor who alights from a car at Whit ney on the Alabama Great Southern and gets into a buggy drawn by mule and Is driven by darky at a late even ing hour over the toughest, muddiest road for a distance of more than three miles to this "off-railroad' town, is that the county of St. Clair and it's court house site are both much in need of road im- provement; and along this line the town and county seem far behind the times. However, when he reaches the pleasant little city. set upon an elevation and beau- tifully shaded, he is met by commu- nifty proverbially hospitable which ex- tends welcome hand and warm greet ing; and if he utters a complaint about the bad road. he is at once reminded that the distance thus traversed is In the fiat woods" of St. Clair and that on all other sides are roads high, dry and passable without inconvenience or dis comfort. He is also informed that the county a short time ago voted favorably
 
 bonds, and that with the proceeds of this sale will build a system of modern county roads like unto those which bless Jefferson county The rock chert and other road material are close at hand, and this sum of money will wonderfully improve St. Clair county. So. St. Clair has awakened from her apparent slum- bers and will thus take an important step, which means progress and more wealth.
 One of Oldest Counties.
 And why not? St. Clair is one of the oldest counties of the state, and Ashville the oldest town in North Alabama, ex- cept Huntsville I am today reminded that it was one of the territorial counties and once embraced several times the area it now controls; that time after time St. Clair has heen sliced off to pro- vide space for new counties.
 The first court house erected here was in 1893; but before that year court was held four miles from this place on the Springville road, at point now known as Old Town," but long ago every building there was annihilated by the ravages of time.
 Ashville has made history and besides
 
 sent out into the business and profess sional world men of courage and of brain. St. Clair county is one of the long, mar row counties of the state Backbone Mountain runs through the county, divid- ing it topographically and this line has for years proven a hindrance to closer communion between the upper and low CT ends of the county; so a little while ago when Pell City sprank into import eanc people at that end demanded court agreed; and now St. Clair county boasts peace and harmony prevails between the people of St. Clair in both sides of Back bone Mountain. There does not appear to be any jealousies existing and the probability is that this arrangement will continue to exist for many years to come. St. Clair has enjoyed steady growth in wealth and population for a number of years. until now the county has passed the middle class of Alabama counties, and has assessed taxable property exceeding $3. 100000 dollars. And by the way I am informed that over half of this amount is assessed by corporations s-rairoads. mining companies and mills. Four rail- these are always strong developing Air Line through the county is proving more rapid growth.
 Formerly Had Railroad.
 Speaking of railroads, some few years ago Ashville had railroad. It was q abort line with A long name running from