The Montgomery advertiser., 1905-02-22

suffers from some financial depression that chills and sickens the whole coun- try. Its diversified farm interests were as a sheet anchor to the windward in time of storm for Ozark during the continued panic of the '90's. In time of panic the man who doesn't owe anything is the man who Is going to suffer least.
 A Thing of Pride.
 T honestly believe" said Joe Adams. of The Ozark Star, and Manager of an Ozark oil mill, "I honestly believe, that the most prosperous time for the farm CTS about Ozark was during the finau- cial troubles of the early sos. Their way of living at home, their way Of diversified farming made them inde- pendent of any demands from fright ened and alarmed creditors. The financial troubles helped them in 8 way for they gave the farmers bet ter price for the many things that were raised on Dale County farms, be- sides cotton."
 And the agricultural conditions which exist about Ozark have given the place not only firm and stable business conditions, but they have given the town vigorous and prosperous banks, excellent schools, costly churches with large congregations, wide circle of men who began life with nothing and who have independent fortunes and they have given the town a healthy and wholesome social life. It means much to be "the capital of the hog and hominy county" There are many, many sections of Alabama which could learn things of value and importance from Ozark's agricultural section. Decline of "Advancing." One significant difference between Ozark and other towns of its size in Alabama, difference brought about by the live at home policy of its farm CTS, is the slight importance of the ad- vancing business in Ozark as compar- ed to other towns. The business of advancing money to farmers by mer- | chants upon crop mortgages to be coll lected at the end of the year has not | of course, disappeared, but it/has been significantly minimized. This does not mean that the town has a small or insignificant business. On the con- &ary 1t has a much larger business than of many other towns of its size. And being less of a business of a years credit to it, 1t is healthier and stronger commerce.
 It is this, perhaps, which have made of the native sons of Dale, men who were born there or who came there in early life, men of fortune and inde- pendent means, men like the Dowlings, William Kirkland, William Garner, Dr. R. D. Reynods, Judge J. NJ. Car michael and 8 score of others. They are men who understood their people, who grew up with the section and who grew rich with the section.
 The vitality and the stability of the Ozark banks reflect the general finan- ciaI contentment and satisfaction I There have heretofore been two oi these banks. the Planters and Mer- chants of which Dr. Lewe Sessions is president and H. M. Sessions, vice. president: L. B. Martin, cashier and L. F. Sessions. assistant cashier, and the Ozark City Bank, known among l the farmers as Gamers bank because William Garner is the banks chief stockholder. Two other banks have recently been organized.
 The Towns Enterprises. Like all Southeast Alabama towns Ozark is a fine market for commercial fertilizers. The soils are sandy with clay mixture and clay subsoil. They are those soils which respond hest and quickest to fertilizer. They have g way of storing up moisture unknown to other soils, and which prevents the scorching and burning of the growing plants.
 To supply the local demand for fer. tilizer and to supply markets of the surrounding towns there are two large and prosperous concerns which manu- facture fertilizer in one form oI another, the Ozark oil Company, and the Ozark Cotton Seed oil and Ferti- lizer Company.
 Ozark is a town built about a square The center of the square is ornamented by one of the handsomest court houses in the State, building which was only recently completed at a cost of nearly 1 $50, 900 and of which any town or coun. | ty night be proud. The town, too is proud of its broad and spacious square with It's wide streets. and its fine shade trees which give shelter on busy days to hundreds of Dale County mules, said to he as fine as any of which any sec. tion of Alabama can boast.
 The place has an enterprising muni' | cipal government. In past years com plalnt was made that in the summer time the streets became too heavy anC too dusty with sand. The town gov ernment set to work and put a firm thick covering of clay over all tht sandy streets. Moreover, the city oi with artesian water as it's basis anC tric lights.
 Its Early Days.
 l The patriotic citizens of Ozark lay claim to 2.50O inhabitants and to a mucf lager business than even that number of citizens would justify. The censu; of 1900 does not give the town so many | people, but the Ozark man claims that