The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-13
Indian Village of Ruhanl Occupied the Site Many
 Years Ago OLD RUHAMA ACADEMY WAS NOTED INSTITUTION
Was Merged With Howard College in Year 1888-Town Has Public Spirited Citizens and Is Ad-
 vanclng Rapidly.
BY E. R. NORMAN.


 fraternal orders and good schools. Lake Como, Alabamas most famous summer resort is here and there is a population of about 4000 people who love an atmos- phere far removed from the madden ing crowds ignoble strife.'
 The place is distinguished by it's his- torical relations to the early development of Jefferson county, as the home of How ard college-the Baptist state institution and of the East Lake orphanage, which stands grandly as one of the monuments to the achievements of the late Father 0 Reilly
 The present location of East Lake was once the site of an Indian village, block house for the defense of the early white settlers and the village of Ruhama. Eighty years ago the Ruhama Baptist church was organized and to the present day the Baptist church of East Lake bears that name-the only link that recalls the early and eventful days of this town.
 Ruhama was settled by a citizenship that was made of the sternest stuff They titled the soil with one hand and protect ed the lives of themselves and their families with the other. At the time when the present site of Birmingham was nothing but fields of cotton and corn the Waldrops, the Hueys, the Wilson's, the Williams and the Woods whose names are linked inseparably with the development of the Birmingham district were laying the foundation that was to make Jefferson the imperial county of the state
 Famous Ruhama Academy
 Tn the ante-bellum days the famous Ruhama academy, on the site where Howard college now stands, was prepar- ing the gentry of this and surrounding counties for the college and the universi- ty. When the war between the states was declared it was nothing but natural that the same boys who attended this academy should gather there and organ ize company for the purpose of fighting for a cause that they deemed righteous It was under the shadow of the classical Ruhama academy that Company C. Twentieth Alabama, was mustered into the service of the Confederate States of America. Capt. M T. Porter was chosen cartain of the company that distinguish ed itself several times by many acts of valor and bravery. Later on when the Spanish-American war broke out, it was at the same place that the Huey guards were organized and mustered into the service of the United States of America to fight for the government which thirty eight years before their forefathers fought against.
 After the war the Ruhama academy continued its work of educating the young men of this county Its career was end ed when Howard college was removed from Marion to East. Lake in 1888. The academy was merged into the college and Prof. J. w. Waldrop. principal of the Ruhama academy, was elected a member of the Howard college faculty. Prof. Waldrop was formerly a student of the academy before the war. He at- tended the University of Virginia and on his return home was elected prin- cipal of the school where he was pre- pared for college. Professor Waldrop was a member of the Howard college faculty until his health failed him last year when he was forced to retire. He is one of the best known and most beloved men in the state and was moderator of the Birmingham Baptist association for sev- eral years
 Car Line Built.
 The car lIne was built from East Lake to Birmingham in 895. The following year Lake Como was dug at a cost of $2o. 900. The lake covers an area of thir- ty-three acres and is one of the prettiest artificial bodies of water in the country. In the last year the lake enclosure has been improved to the extent of several thousands of dollars, making the est- mated value of the resort about $loo, 900.
 The city of East Lake was incorpor ated in 900. Since that time the popula- ton has more than doubled. The city is one mile in breadth and two miles in length. It spreads over the area from Village creek to Red mountain and now the building tide Is edging slowly but surely up Inc mountain-side and before long the indications are that the north side of Red mountain will be covered with handsome and modern homes.
 The tax valuation of the city property is assessed at $55o,o 900. In the past two years a handsome $9ooo public school building has been erected. The school is in a prosperous condition and has an enrolment of over 500 students.
 In the last year over 200 residences have been built in the city and the East Lake Masonic lodge has erected new hall at a cost of $4ooo. A volunteer fire department Las also been organized, com prising three hose reels and 1000 feet of hose.
 People Public-Spirited.
 The people of East Lake are public spirited They feel proud or Howard college, the Baptist state institution, and are ever ready to aid in upbuilding it. At times when the college WAS in need of new Improvements the East Lake peo- pie would take matters in their hands and bring about the wanted result. When tie tllege grounds were in need of a fence t was East Lake people that made up the amount to erect handsome stnre fence around the grounds. When the movement to level and improve the col- leg campus was begun the East Lake recple were the first to respond raising the money to begin this much needed work. which is now in progress
 Notwithstanding that East Lake-or rather the Lake Como part of it-has sometimes been dubbed the "Coney Is- land of Birmingham" the sturdy citizen ship of the town have drowned upon all movements looking towards laxity in the observance of Sunday and the so-called 'blue laws" with a kind of Puritan se- verity.
 Time and again the city council has passed ordinances putting checks on Sun day amusements almost as rapidly as tLo t,rovo tfouo wara introduced The