The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-04-08

ton here. This company nndS ready SAFE
for all of its product at a highly remuner-
alive price, and will add to its capacity
from time to time.
There are several other smaller manu-
featuring enterprises, and so Fort Payne
can boast already of being a manufact-
uring town.
But this is not, as yet the chief at
traction about Fort Payne. Beauty of
scenery and the fertility of this valley
| first attracts the visitor. As before stated
this is Wills valley. A four-mle drive up
the way over splendid country road re-
vealed to the writer wonderful facts in
regard to this section. AS a guest of Col.
M w. Howard, who py the way is one of
the real moving spirits of Fort Payne.
and who is we'll informed and largely
interested in this development, the writer
was shown magnificent valley farms and
hillside orchards of rarest fruits. Streams
of fresh, clear waters flowing through
fields of richest soil. Here a wheat field,
there an oat field, then cotton, corn, the
| richest grass plats, and orchard after
orchard of alberta peach trees, many in
| bearing, others just planted. And these
| farms have modern houses upon them and
| strong and modern fences. not the old
rail style. but built of sawn lumber. And,
| too. upon these farms are blooded cattle
. and hogs, and it all looks much like
progress and life.
Promises of Peaches.
Here the Elberta peach seems to betoken
| promise of rich reward. 1t would be in
| terestng to know Just the number of
| trees now growing on the hundreds of
acres of land devoted to this fruit And
/ 1t is evident that each year the peach
! area is being doubled by the land owners
| here. AS illustration of the volume
and the value of this crop | am informed
w ba r1 10
! on Lookout mountain at this place, was
| offered $4,000 for his crop before the recent
! cool spell, the purchaser to take all
| chances on its being killed, and the offer
was declined, $4,000 being the price asked.
! Mr. Steele formerly of Birmingham but
| now of the New Orleans and Northeastern
railroad, has a beautiful rich valley farm
here, and upon it has erected the finest
| barn in the state, where he feeds and
| shelters a fine breed of short horn cat
tie and other blooded stock.
All of the farms use the most modern
farming Misunderstanding the cost of
much labor, and affordlng the most skill
| full methods of cultivation.
| Negro labor is not used on the farms
| Of this part of the state; all the employ
ees are native whites from this state
Georgia and the Carolinas. They are in
dustrous. intelligent and faithful. Com
| Portable and clearly kept cottages are
provided them; and no negroes come upon
| the premises
| be seen in and around Fort Payne, and
| Is worth the while If those seeking pleas
ure' health or recreation to visit the
charming place.
First there is here the magnificent De-
Kalb hotel, which was erected by the old
company in 1889. upon entire square
In the center of the town, at a heavy cost.
| Of In oil
pointments. and there Is not a better
hotel in the state. This hotel has Just
been improved and renovated, by the
Fort Payne company, its owners. at
cost of many thousand dollars: and Is
Is under the management of Major A.
A. MADISON, whose reputation and popu-
larity as hotel man are well realized in
Alabama. The hotel has one hundred and
twenty five rooms. and magnificent We
randas on all sides Each is an outside
room-single and en- suite. 1t has a per-
feet water system throughout, and twen-
ty of the bed rooms have private baths.
There are several bath tubs also on each
of the three floors. Major MADISON Is de-
termined to make Fort Payne the popular
summer resort; and will begin receiving
summer visitors about May 10th. The
hotel has a magnificent ball room, bill
lizard room and bowling alley.
Abundance of Vegetables.
The farmers and gardeners. around Fort
Payne, provide an abundance of vege-
tables of all varieties, and much poultry,
so that the market is all that could be
desired.
The drives and walks around Fort
Payne are excellent; the woods on the
mountain sides are all that the rambler
can wish them to be, and the streams
near by offer fine fishing. So there is rest
and recreation for the summer sojourner
at this favored spot.
One of the natural curiositIes of Fort
Payne is its Manitou cave. a wonderful
formation in the limestone rocks in the
side of Lookout mountain. 1t was prob
ably one of the natural fortresses of tho
Cherokee Indians, and from its rocks the
Confederate government made saltpetre.
1t abounds in beautiful formations. sub
terranean rivers and cascades A survey
stairs and ratings built. When lighted
presents sight never to be forgotten
Around the entrance of the cave a beauti-
full park has been laid out. and 1t is a
place of resort by visitors.
When we remember that Fort Payne
was not chartered until February D. 1sSa
we at once observe that the little city has
made wonderful strides forward. and pre-
sents very bright promise.
The North Alabama college is located
here President Etheridge has built up A
fine institution and has an enrolment Z
about 300 The building was burned the
past winter. but new quarters are now
provided and the work goes right along.