The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-05-02
M|LLPORT OFFERS FINE OPPORTUNITY Manufacturers Will Find an
 Excellent Field TOWN IS WELL DRAINED It Rests in the Midst of Big Forests of Timber, Which Are Source of
 Revenue to the
 Community. lg
TOWN IS WELL DRAINED
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

l Millport. May 1.-(SpeciaD emerg- ing from the coal fields of the Warrior Basin, coming west. the traveller. at a | distance of ninety-nine miles, reaches | Millport beautiful town of TOO people
 in Lamar county. This is a high, dry. sandy and perfectly ciean;y town, al- though it is on the Looxapolila river, not
 very swift stream nor yet very large, l but one which furnishes perfect drain- age system to the town and breeds no malaria.
 Lamar county be it remembered, was the birthplace of Rupe Burrows, the famous dead bandit, wno, by the way. did much of his devilment in this section Near this place he was born, but none like unto him are left. Millport is the largest town in the county, and I doubt if there is a more orderly place in the state. There are no saloons here nor else- where in Lamar, and not even dis pensary."
 Millport is only twenty years old. It was begun when the western division of the Georgia Pacific railroad reached this point. It is only fifteen miles from the Mississippi line,
 In Midst of Fine Timber. The town is in the midst of rich for ests of timber-pine, poplar oak and gum, and these woods all yield a good sum of money to landowners. and to this business community. Three thousand bales of cotton are annually received at this point. The planters hereabouts are in excellent financial condition. As an evidence of this fact it may here be stated that not a bushel of corn has been bought by them this year. and many of them have corn to sell. At one time since the close of the war there a measure of a planters wealth in the south and that was if "he has corn to sell' he is rich and his credit good Many times in answer to a question of the farmers solvency, "he has corn to sell' was enough for that meant wealth.
 The lands around Millport produce abundantly we'll cotton, corn. small grain and the root crops Fruit grows well, and the yield this year promises to be abun- dant, but not enough attention Is paid to this branch of industry. Apples peaches, pears, grapes and berries flourish here abouts, and I wonder the people do not devote more attention to fruit culture. Millport Is quite an important shipping point for poultry and eggs, but there is room here for an immense business in this line.
 OFFICIALS or tne Clty'
 Hon. A. o. Propst is mayor of Millport; l and the aldermen are k. N Waldrop, 1 John R. Hods, James Vasser. H. M Mill Ter and B. F. Duncan. This administra- ton is very progressive and manifest much civil pride They have built bridges set out shade trees and greatly improved the streets of the town. The tax rate is only F of 1 per cent, and there is no privilege tax.
 Out of this meagre fund liberal appro- priation is made to the public schools which run eight months on partially | free system. The white enrolment is 125 and three teachers are employed. handsome school building which cost about $5000 ornaments the town and gives assurance to the visitor that the people are wide-awake to the importance of edu- | cation.
 The health of Millport is always excel | lent and there is no reason why 1t should not be, for it is a delightfully."- clean 1 town; the homes are comfortable, the flower gardens speak of refinement, and the fields around just now show activity | and energy.
 About one dozen stores occupy the bus mess center and these exhibit signs of business activity.
 There are two churches here, the Bap tist and the Methodist. and the fact that only one fine was assessed by the mayor in 1903, shows that the town is strictly moral, and that the people are law-abd- ing.
 Opening for Manufacturers.
 This is another good point for manu- featuring enterprses-timber, water. coal and transportation facilities, cotton fields and perfect health. At present there are located here a large handle factory two steam gins, a variety shop two grist mills, blaming mills. There Is room for more. It is an assured fact that there is soon to be established here furni- ture factory, which will give employment to many persons, and bring more money into the town.
 Millport has no lawyer. They say they do not need them here, and disputes sell dom arise; but there are two doctors who care for the health of the community. The town has two hotels, and the writer finds himself at the Gunter house, a love ly little home-like place, with clean beds, an excellent cuisine, and perfect attention. There is no better stopping place in this section of the state than Millport, and I doubt if there Is a better hotel than the Gunter house.