The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-25
HAS BECOME GREAT
INDUSTRIAL CENTER
Since 1887 the Population Has Grown
From 1900 to $1,000 and Over
$15,ooo,ooo Has Been In
vested In Industries.
BY E. r. NORMAN.

Bessemer, December 24.-(Special.)-
Rare are the localities in this material
univers where an all wise Providence
has provided within a radius of one mile
all the component parts essential to max
ing iron and steel. Bessemer, yet in its
Industrial infancy, has within close
proximity an abundance of ore, dolomite,
coal and water.
Fulfilling in almost every instance the
industrial prophecies suggested by the
name 1t bears, in honor of Sir Henry
Bessemer, this city has won place IN
the history of the commercial world.
Beginning in 1887 with only one iron
furnace and one railroad Bessemer has
grown until 1t ranks second with the
cities Of Alabama in the amount OF cap
ital invested in industries. 1t also holds
second place in the towns Of this state,
according to the Alabama Car Service,
in the number of cars handled during the
past year.
When the city was incorporated in 1887
the population was only 1900. Today 1t Is
estimated at between 1900 and 1900.
Since the census of 1900 this city has
made some marvellous strides. Figuring
that the population is IL times the reg
stration of the city, which is HOO, the
sum total would be 1920.
Over $3.50 900 is invested in the in
dustries of Bessemer alone. These give
employment to $500 men, and have
monthly pay roll, when all the plants are
running on full time, of approximately
$436, 500.
As this district continues to grow, the
water problem already a ponderous one,
will increase in its proportions. For the
past three years the people of Bessemer
have labored necessarily to solve the wa
ter question. Their efforts have at last
been crowned with success, and this city
is to have a waterworks system that
will, for the next several years to come,
afford ample water for Bessemers needs.
BY the first of January, 1905, water will
be pumped by the new system for the
first time. Hawkins springs, that stands
out prominently in the history of JEFF
ferson county will furnish the water
supply. Since the Indians roved around
over this country to the present day
Hawkins springs have been inseperably
linked with the development of this coun-
ty. They were formerly called by the In
the Valley creek and the springs bore
the Village creek and the springs bore
this name until Grandpa" Hawkins pur-
chased the lands on which the springs
are located.
Waterworks Question.
Four years ago Morris Adler bought
the Hawkins springs property. Mr..
Adler also owns and controls the BESSIE
mer water works system. Three years
ago the plan for getting Bessemer's wa
ter supply from Hawkins springs was
first discussed, and from that time on
the question of securing a fresh and am
pie supply of water has been more or less
an issue in every city campaign.
When the present mayor and aldermen
went into office negotiations were COM
meneed with Mr.. Adler looking to affect
ing a contract that would result in the
city being provided with a new water
works system. After several months
conference an agreement was reached
between the council and Mr.. Adler and
the contract for the new system, now in
course of construction, was signed Work
was shortly commenced and the system
is now drawing near to completion.
The estimated capacity of Hawkins
springs is 100000 gallons Of water per
day. Several attempts have been made
to find the bottom of the spring. which
have all proven frutless. A few years
ago a weight was extended into the
springs on 1856 feet of cord, but failed to
touch the bottom of the spring.
The pumping station consists of two
vertical safety boilers, having 100 horse
power; two large and one smaller i'm
proved vertical pumps with a capacity
of 100000 gallons of water a day.
The reservoir is being constructed on
Red mountain, opposite Lipscomb sta
ton, on the South Bessemer car line, and
will have a capacity of 100000 gallons
giving an average pressure in Bessemer
of so pounds. Sxteen-inch mains will
convey the water from the springs to the
reservoir, a distance of two and a half
miles, and 14-inch mains will carry the
water from the reservoir to BeSsemer, q
distance of two miles When the new
system is put into operation there will
be about nineteen miles of water mains
In Bessemer. Most of the old mains in
the city, which are inches in diameter
are being taken up and replaced by and
Pinch mains Under the new system
there will be 60 fire plugs in Bessemer.
The contract between the city and the
Adlers is a thirty-year one, but gives
the city the privilege of buying the sys-
tenn after eight years time. The contract
provides for a special rate to all indus
tries. Under this clause the board OF
trade is confident of securing several adj
ditonal plants.
Jonesboro Older.
Jonesboro now a suburb of Bessemer
is much older than Bessemer itself.
Contrary to the general opinion Jones'
boro does not get its name from the
family of Jones in whose honor this
vallsy is named, but from Jonesboro
Tenn. Several former citizens of Ten
nessee removed from that state to this
county and settled near the site of
Jonesboro and according to an old and
general custom named their adopted
home in honor of the one from which
they had moved.
In 1919, at the sale of government
lands of Jefferson county, the rich and
fertile farms along Valley creek near the
locality of Bessemer, proved tempting to
many prospectors and some of the most
choice lands were sold for as much as
500 per acre. From this time this sec
ton began to grow rapidly The early
families of Smiths and McAdorys, whose
ancestry have, since the beginning of
Jefferson county, been potent factors in
its development, settled along Valley
creek, and the homes in which DR.. Smith
and James McAdory lived are still stand
ing, striking landmarks of the pioneer
times of this county.
In 1856 work was commenced on No.