The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-29
FIRST BUILT BY
 B|ENVILLE'S MEN Epes is Among the Historic
 Towns of Alabama FARMERS ARE PROGRESSIVE Immense Beds of Cement Rock Offer Wonderful Opportunities for Build ing Up of Wealthy and Fa-
 vored Community.
FARMERS ARE PROGRESSIVE
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

BY FRANK V. EVANS.
 Epes, May 2s.-(Special1 Thousands of observant and interested travellers and tourists from the north, south. east and west. who annually pass through this state over the splendidly equipped Queen and Crescent route may not know that when the engineer slows mp for the bridge of Tombigbee river where the narrow but deeply bedded stream flows between the high elifts of gray or white cement rock. sepulchral in appearance and gor- geously massive, that they are passing in sight of old Fort Tombeebe; and that they are actually upon the scene of one of the earliest conflicts that stained the soil and the waters of Alabama.
 Sitting today at the delightful Casey hotel. built upon these rocks and upon an eminence, in the town of Epes, your correspondent finds himself within few hundred yards of that historic fort, which has stood there silently and undis- turbed for ITO years.
 Built By Bienvile's Forces.
 This fort was built by the forces of Bienville, in the French invasion of the Indian country. Its purpose was as a depot of supplies Benville's troops came on improvised floats from Mobile to this point. There were 800 white soldiers be- sides a detachment of forty-fVe blacks the latter commanded by negro. This by the way, seems to have been the first Alabama negro placed in command ol a detachment of soldiers So the present II. fa 4ntn n n new At this fort Bienvile was joined by 500 Choctaw allies and with them con tinued his march to meet the Chickasaws above
 Thus 1t will be seen upon an interesting historical spot stands the town of Epes to- day; and yet so few people seem to think of this fact when they hear of Epes or pass hurriedly through the confines ot the deserving and delightful town.
 Was Called Jones' Bluff.
 This was called in the earlier days Jones' Bluff; and the older citizens here tell me that the name was given by white family of that very rare eogno- men. One John Jones, related perhaps to the John Jones whom the reader knows was an early settler on these river banks, and he formed the friendship and won the admiration of the Choctaw Indians in fact won the heart and hand Of beautiful Choctaw maiden whose charm ing qualities of person, whose bright eyes and tender soul, might have been indelibly stamped upon the pages of literature art and song, had Longfellow been here to tune his poetic harp and sing one sweet song for Jones' Choctaw queen. Any way Jones married and to the happy pair the Great Spirit contributed a large and happy family of "alf-and-alfs.'
 Months passed away, and in 1880 there was a beginning of the end of the Indian question. By the treaty of Dancing Rab- bit vast tracts of lands were granted the head of each Choctaw family and John Jones had surely won this distinction and was among the happy husbands and fa- thers thus rewarded.
 Named for pr. J. w. Epes.
 This continued to be called Jones Bluff after the Choctaws had hied themselves across the Mississippi and even to the happy hunting grounds, until the Ala Dama Great Southern railway wended its way through this favored section. pr. J. w. Epes, who lives here today and who is smong the most prominent citi- zens and was and Is still a large land cwner, granted full right of way and lands for the present town site, and in recognition of such valuable gift the pres ent town-Epes-was named for him.
 The Tombigbee river, upon which Epes is situated is the dividing line of Greene and Sumter two of the richest agricul- tural counties of the state. Therefore Epes occupies naturally a very strong DC sition With only one railroad she has the advantage or benefit of the river. which is navigable ordinarily about nine months of the year. This guarantees the merchants and planters a low freight rate in the water season, but 1 am told that this rate nuctuates with the rise and .F.l.F Fa. t.. Aapfi4 in derstood.
 Large Cotton Receipts.
 This town receives about 5000 bales of cotton per annum. Here located are large cotton compress, a cotton seed oil mill and two grist mills-these mannfac- turing concerns giving employment to quite a number in the busy season of the year. There are only nine stores in the town, and these seem well stocked and prosperous. Their trade extends over quite a large ferritory-Epes being the railroad station for Gainesville, Sumter vile. and other prosperous centers of population in this and adjoining coun- ties.
 The planters of this great black prarie country are said to be in excellent condi- ton now They made an abundant supply of food products last year and this fact, with the high price they received for cot ton placed them in an independent, strong and cheerful position, They buy no corn, but instead have shipped to other points from Epes as much as thiry carloads of this valuable product. Then too, there are hereabouts immense fields of most luxuriant alfalfa, mellotos and Johnston grass. These have grown proftably for several years and success has stimulated the land owners to the raising of fine cat tle Several magnificent herds of Jerseys Shorthorns, Holsteins and other fine breeds can be seen on many plantations in Sumter county and many fields hereto fore devoted to cotton are converted into fields of the grasses.
 Interested In Truck Gardening.
 Truck gardening is also receiving much attention in Sumter. In fact this is one of the leading industries in this county, and from this source the gardners and land owners are annually reaping rich rewards. Plots containing from five to twenty-five acres in beans and fields of irish potatoes, onions and strawberries are among the scenes of busy life and diversi- lied farming in Sumter county. Fruit also is receiving more attention than ever be- fore In the history of the county and just now the young orchards of apples, pears, peaches and plums are in full bearing and shipments are soon to begin.
 There is scarcity of labor and much valuable, land is lying idle on that oe- account. This, of course, does not hurt the land, for the rest will enhance its value, but it somewhat upsets the early calculations of the owners.
 What a splendid opening there Is in this favored section for industrious and