The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-02-20
SELMA IS OLD BUT
 IS PROGRESSIVE Is a Town of Culture and of
 Wealth
  IS STRONG COMMERCIALLY Heavy Receipts of Cotton Add to the General Prosperity of the People. Selma Has a Fine Hotel
 and Strong Papers.
 
IS STRONG COMMERCIALLY
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

Selma, February 19- Special )-To write of Selma in a general way would be to write ancient history, for Selma is as ola as Alabama itself. In fact. 1t is much older if we consider .Moores Bluff" the original Selma, which pointed the way for a progressive city on the banks of the Alabama river long before railroads were dreamed of in the richly favored spot.
 But Selma is now a progressive city, and so she has been for years. Long before Birmingham was dreamed of Sel- ma was in existence as a city which l felt herself quite important. And so she was; for Selma was inhabited by class of prosperous southerners who were made rich before the war, and who are rich today. Rich in the agricultural and | timbered lands of this, Dallas, county; rich in the luxury of these modern homes; rich in the education and refinement of Ter people. and rich in the independent spirit which here prevails They are rich 1 not only in4these things. but in the politi cal strength of the community; for be 1t known that Selma furnishes the state with two of the most distinguished mem bers of the United tSates senate and that here representatives in the general assembly of the state have always been regarded as leaders of that body; that her bar is considered among the ablest | of the state, and that her financial in | stitutions are among the strongest All ! of these facts can be accounted for by the natural wealth of her surroundings, by the salubrity of her climate and the fertility of her soil.
 Selma Is Not BoastfuI.
 Selma is not a boastful city, for her people claim population of only 15,OOo, whereas the general appearance of the city indicates population on first sight of double that number The streets are broad the buildings substantial, the homes beautiful and luxurious. the churches perhaps as handsome as any in all the state, and the people city-lke in manner, style, entertainment and general l hospitality. No wonder Selmians like Selma, and that the stranger delights to dwell within these limits Best of all the attravtice features is that Selma | mas one Of the best hotels in all the south-the Hotel Albert. now under the management of Henry Lloyd, whose name IS familiar as host Say what you may. put a hotel-good or bad-makes the first impression of town or city upon the visitor Therefore much of the life of a growing city depends upon the landlord or The Inn and naturally so.
 
 Then, too, Selma has two representa- tive newspapers. The Evening Journal owned by F. T. Kinley was established tweiVe years ago. It is ably edited by that well known young Journalist, R. E. L. Neil; has large circulation. and is quite prosperous.
 The Selma Times, the morning paper nere IS the third oldest journal in the state, having been established in 1s25-iust | aff
 state. The Times has had many uns and downs, has changed hands many times put ai"ays Wlelded powerful influence Tn this section of the state The Hon James H. Nunnellee is the present ed- tor Of the paper and Louis Bambeyer is its successful business manager. Edi- tor Nunneilee IS journalist of pronounced opinions, and his pen has for years wield- ed an influence in the state.
 Prominent Cotton Market.
 Selma is cotton market of prominence. located as 1t is in the very heart of the | 'black belt therefore the city is iust now enjoying the results of high-priced cotton, having received to date about s5 oOo bales of the staple. for winch she has obtained about $70 per bale. This is quite an item, if you will calculate inc sum total.
 Besides this Selma has quite a num- per or manufacturing concerns: is a prominent railroad center; has important | shops, and best of all, Selma is a river town. with open navigation to tide-water nearly every week in the year
 According to population Selma is per | maps the strongest wholesale market in | Alabama. Her merchants are strong and ever active. reaching out for all trade to which their position entities them: and competing with other markets much more pretentious
 | Growing Town.
 It is mistaken idea to suppose that Selma has ceased to grow, or that she IS resting on her laurels. Not at all The sound of the saw, the hammer and the trowsl is heard today on all sides. and | Selma is bounding forward. Just now in course of erection, Is the Elks home, q magnificent Baptist church-one of the costliest In the state-a modern city hall and many less pretentious buildings | The United States government has just purchased central lot, opposite the county courthouse, upon which is to bc erected modern postoffice and general | government building
 So the reader will observe that "old Selma is not so ancient in spirit of gen. eral progress and improvement, but that the city is "up and doing"
 The criminal court here has just passed through a trying ordeal. which has shocked the community-intensifed it's in- terest in a criminal law case. Three white women have been under trial for murder, the facts of which case have been related Tn your news columns. Two of these were l acquitted, but the third was convicted, and the sentence of just court is that this woman shall suffer the penalty of | twelve years in the state penitentlary. And this alleged murder occurred in beau tiful, refined and Christian Selma. What | lesson!
 Sadly importunate"
 | Sadly impertunate"
 presents subject for thought at ter rible expense. And yet 1t is no reflection | upon the genuineness and purity of social life in this magnificent city It is but the | same old story, so often repeated. of the wayward woman and the needless man. The home fresides. the schools and the churches have here a lesson far more | impressive than is the warning to men and women who are thoughtless, care-' | less, indifferent and defiant.
 
 COMMITTEE MEETS. f~ E ~E