The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-04-22
Town Has Grown in the Last
 Ten Years
HAS A FINE CITIZENSHIP
Business Houses Are Substantial and Merchants Are Prosperous-Agri- cultural Pursuits FIourshing.
 Is a Railroad Center.
BY FRANK V. EVANS.

Goodwater April a.-(Special. l-Forty kins Gap. Now it is Goodwater, a name quite appropriate for the deep wells. the flowing springs and the crystal-like lake here afford d bounteous supply of water clear and wholesome.
 In 1874 the Savannah and Western road was completed to this point, and this was the terminus of that branch of the Geor. gia Central until 1887, when the line was extended to Birmingham. Then it was that Goodwater began to grow in earnest, and disproved the idea that there is much value m a town being the terminus of railroad. Up to 1887 there were only a few small stores here. and they were frame buidings the town was receiving about 300 bales of cotton, and did but little busi- ness. Today Goodwater has a popula- ton of 1000 or more, receives 600O to 9O00 bales of cotton per annum, has large brick and stone business houses and many beau tiful private homes.
 City Affairs Prosperous.
 Hon. D. NJ White, is the mayor of the city, and the aldermen are Dr. Eugene Argo, w. R. Walker. J. A. Nabers, s. ;. Hancock and B. A. McCord The city tax rate is one-half of 1 per cent. and the town is not in debt. Four saloons are licensed to sell liquor. and each one pays $333 33 per annum. The dspensary idea has never taken hold here. An effort was made to establish one. but it was voted down. The town has a good public school with large enrolment, Dut as yet it Is not entirely free. It Is expected how ever. to make it so within a short time.
 Goodwater has no k,ublic lights or water works but the | sent administration promises that thes~ utilities shall be es- tablished within a short while There are thirty-odd business houses in the place. and the stores have full stocks and ap- pear to be active. One bank prospers here, and there are three churches with good memberships
 Manufactores Wanted.
 This is not manufacturing town, but the SC people express a desire that IL shat. be made such. These fine timber lands these minerals, and the magnificent water power, all close by, offer strong induce ments for manufacturers. and the writer is informed that liberal concessions will be made by property holders in and around Goodwater to those who desire lo- cations for profitable manufacturing rlants. At present there is a steam cot ton gin and a wagon and buggy factory in successful operation here.
 Goodwater is the largest railroad town in Coosa county. Rockford, however in the center of the county, fifteen miles off the railroad. still remains the county site of Coosa. The people of Goodwater made an effort in the last general assembly to have branch court established here like Alexander City has, but the plan was defeated. Goodwater people say they will continue in their efforts along this line and will yet win. This city proposes to build a courthouse at it's own expense, to accommodate such court, and thus afford convenience to jurors, witnesses and parties litigant who live in this part of the county.
 Good Agricultural County.
 Coosa is a good agricultural county, well timbered and rich in minerals. There has been no development of the latter, but this will surely come. There are iron ore, marble. stone, copper and gold in these hills that await the touch of capi- tai and of labor. Fruit grows to perfec- ton in all parts of the county, where attention Is given it, and the poultry in- dustry contributes largely to Goodwater' 8 importance as a commercial point. The county is well watered and the valley
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