The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-11-14
covington County Full of Inter
 est to All AIabamianS
TYRE GRASS COUNTRY
Progressive Section of a Great State. Wonderful Development and Glo- rious Future for a Favored
 Part of Alabama.
BY FRANK Y. EVANS.

AiiddiuolhF ANDNtlllbeA AY' A1Ef@1-'N-'f These southern border counties and towns of Alabama are not less progressive today than our north and central Ala bama mineral belt section. To what ex- tent the auickening influences, which have so rapidly developed the natural resources of the hills and valleys of the upper part of the state, have awaken ed the wire grass counties, the writer cannot say. However, 1t is quite eer- tain that Covington and this whole tier Of counties are up and doing.
 It is 10 new thing to discover that this part of Alabama has ever been blessed by natural resources. These immense tim Der lands; this balmy climate, and these tilable lands ever responsive to the touch of industry, were put here for the use of man, and if they did lie dormant for many decades, they are today making this section blossom as rose.
 Bright Audalusia.
 This town of Andalusia is the county seat of Covlngton, the court house hav- ing been moved from old Montezuma in lS40 to this point Andalusia is not there fore a young town but it is a young city. Not until hve years ago did the place make any pretensions other than as comfortable little village, where the peo- pie of the surrounding country were accustomed to doing ther little shopping, mailing and receiving their letters and newspapers, and meeting in the spring and in the fall for circuit court. About i've years ago the Central of Georgia and the Louisville and Nashville ex- tended brlnch lines to this point. and from the date Andalusia sprang into new life and activity. put off the habiliments of a crossroads village, tore down the little wooden shacks, which were suited only for small business, built handsome brick blocks, and in the center erected a large and handsome court house of brick and stone, at cost of $20,0O0.
 The Municipality.
 So today Andalusia claims a population of 5000 people and is growing rapidly in population and wealth. A broad public spirit Is manifested here; and the people have an abiding faith in the future of this city. And they are not going to be disappointed. Natural conditions point clearly to the fact that there is peace here for d city of much importance and the start $ well under way
 Hon. Henry Opp is mayor of the city and the aldermen are: Messrs. J. N. Rushton, w, R. Tisdell. c. J. Ward M. A Boyett and B. H. Lewis, all of whom are prosperous and representative citi- zens
 The city has open saloons four in num- Der and each one pays license tax into the city treasury of s1OO0 per annum, and yet the town Is quite orderly.
 
 Public Schools.
 Here, as elsewhere in the wire grass section, public schools are receiving much attention and educational facilities are excellent. A handsome public school building of brick, modernly arranged and handsomely furnished Is an attrac- tive feature of the city. It was built by the municipality at a cost of $15.000 and has a superintendent and six teachers.
 Andalusia has large oil mills lumber factory and quite an extensive iron foun- dry. The city has two banking institu- tions-one a national, the other state bank which are said to be doing safe and an active business.
 There are two fourishing weekly news papers published here, and the people read them The Baptists. Presbyterians and Methodists have good church build ings The Baptist denomination Is just now about to begin the erection of $2O,- 900 brick edifice.