The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-10-11
COMPANY ID BORE FOR O|L Decaturs Are Looking Forward
 to New Industry MUCH BUILDING GOING ON Decatur Merchants Are Planning for Steamboat Excursions to Bring
 Country Shoppers to
 the City.
MUCH BUILDING GOING ON


 a party of French capitalists will arrive direct from Paris for the purpose of in- vestigating the oil fields of north Ala bama with a view to organizing man. moth oil company, for the purpose of drilling for oil in this locality. It Is said that the company, if formed will have almost unlimited capital and that they will test the fields here to the fullest extent regardless of cost
 The party will bring with them an expert oil man from the fields of Penn sylvania and a thorough test of the fields will be made and if the report of this expert is satisfactorily there Is no doubt but that the company will be formed and that the work of drilling will be pushed. In the past years several oil companies have been formed in this section and some oil has been found in various places, but the companies thus formed had not sufficient money to carry the project far enough to give true test of the fields. oil in small quantities has been found near this city, at Hartsele Falkville. Moulton and Huntsville. Gas has been found at numerous places in the county. According to the United States geologi- cal survey this section of Alabama lies in the oil belt which extends from Penn sylvania to the great fields of Texas. This section has been examined st
 
 tain Lucas and others and all of them have given as their opinion that oil in paying quantities could be found fin this locality and they farther say that 1t is of a superior grade to the oil of Penn sylvania.
 It is firmly believed that this company of French capitalists will be formed and that the formation of the company will mean much for the Decaturs
 
 The Tennessee Valley Medical associa- tion meets here tomorrow and next day and large attendance is expected. Num- erous papers will be read and a number of interesting talks will be made. A ban quet will probably be given to the visit ing doctors during the session. The Ten nessee Valley Medical association has be- come one of the most popular medical or ganizations in the state
 Prizes for Live Stock.
 Numerous prizes for live stock and farm products have been offered by the ,Busi- ness Mems league to the farmers of Nor gan, Limestone, Cullman and Lawrence counties at the carnival which is to be held here all next week. A voting con- test Is now on to decide what young lady is to be the queen of the carnival. Miss Ella Hester Is leading the race. She has so far about 2000 votes with Miss Myrtle Finn not far behind in the race. The midway attractions will be furnished by the Gascall Carnival company. The mid way will be located on West Bank street. Fall Excursions to Decatur.
 Much is being done for the upbuilding of the city by the Business Mems league which was Just organized few weeks ago. They are now arranging for free steamboat excursion on the Tennessee river from points above this city to De- catur. This is done for the purpose of drawing the farm trade to Decatur.
 The league is also making arrangements to establish free wagon yard here for the use of farmers who come to the city A barn with stalls will also be built for farmers use When this is done horse traders association will be formed and regular days will be set aside for the meetings of the association.
 Building Operations in Decatur.
 Work is progressing nicely on the new s20O00 public school house. Some day this week the corner stone will be laid with appropriate ceremonies. Acting Governor Cunningham will be present and will make a speech on the occasion, as will also Mayor Henry A. Skeggs and several others.
 The $1O,000 Carnegie library Is almost completed, and will soon be thrown open to the public.
 James L. Echols' new three-story of- flee and business block on the corner of Bank and Vine streets is almost com pleted. It will be one of the most sub stantial blocks in the city. It Is built on the lots where the Echols opera house recently burned.
 The s2O,0OO Young Mems Christian asso- citation building In New Decatur is al- most completed. It is one of the finest buildings of the kind in the state. It was built by funds furnished by the cit izens and by the Louisville and Nashville Railroad company.
 Several of the store rooms in the new Casa Granda block in New Decatur have been completed and are now occupied The remainder of the block will be finished within few days and will be occupied as soon as finished. This block was burned a few months ago at a loss of full $100,000. The new block Is much better than the old one.
 Must Number the Houses. The city councils of both Decatur and New Decatur have passed ordinances re- uuiring the citizens of both cities to num- Der their residences and places of busi- ness and John D. Adams has been given the contract. The names of the streets will also be put up.
 As soon as this work is done parties from Cullman will issue a city directory of both the Decaturs Heretofore the De- caturs have never had a city directory
 The city council of New Decatur has notified the property-owners of several sections of the city requiring them to build cement sidewalks In front of their property. If the property-owners fail In | this the city will build the walks and | charge the same to the property. In this way several miles of much needed side- walks will be built in New Decatur dur | ing the coming year.
 Negro Goes to Ohio. | It is learned by your correspondent thai | H. " Cassion. receiver of public monies in the government land office at Hunts yille Ala, has been asked by the national republican campaign committee to go tc Ohio and stump that state for the re- publican national ticket and 1t is said that he has accepted and that he will gc within the next few days. It Is said that he will make his first speech 1T | Cincinnati.
 | Cassion is regarded as one of the bes