The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-14

clement of houses, has sprung up a model city with every advantage that could be desired
 Nineteen years ago the Tennessee Coal, Iron and Railroad company erected six largo blast furnaces, around which the houses of the workmen were grouped very much like the arrangement at Thom- as is now. There was no stir of business, or any municipal government Every thing seemed centered in the company s interest. No stores, no real estate mar ket, no extensive development of the mines, poor streets and schools, in fact there was nothing other than the ex- tremely ordinary
 But in the year. 1898, the place began to wake up city @as born. The first step was to incorporate the town, and in the city election, N. w. Scott, to whom much of Ensley's progress Is due. was elected intendent. Together with a board of en- ergetic aldermen, he set vigorously to work for the advancement of the town.
 Great Industries.
 On Thanksgiving Day of 1899, the first steel bar was cast in the Tennessee com panys new steel plant. That was great day for the district. No one step has had more to do with the prosperity of the Birmingham district. for now Ensey rules, to great extent. the iron mar ket of the world.
 The plant stretches over half a mile and covers many acres of land. Three thousand men enter the works every day on day and night shifts. and hundreds of tons of steel rail are being cast to fill rush orders in the east.
 To the lover of powerful scenes, which inspire one with confidence in the ability of men. nothing can be more appealing than to look from a distance at the great iron forge, with it's stacks of towering height and atmosphere. heavy with smoke from the fires which men have l1ndled. One has said that it gave him a picture of a great bier, from which the whole universe seemed to be offering up a sac ritice to the Creator.
 But if the scene Is one of strength in the day it is surely one of beauty at night. From the open steel frame build ing where the mother iron passes through the stage of mixing and converting, a light radiates that Is almost binding. brilliant almost as the sun, lighting up the dark sky above, casting wonderful ly clear series of lights and shadows upon the stacks and surroundings, and covering the yards with a soft brown hue. The black smoke takes on the appearance of fieecy clouds, and passes up from the little dinkies on the yards In rings of varied colors; a picture worthy of
 
 purity of light and wonderful develop ment of shadow and reflection.
 Interesting Sights.
 To the visitor Ensley offers many other plants worthy of stigation-among them being rod mill employing 1000 men. where nails and by-products are manufac- tured. Many will remember the unique exhibit at the Fair last year of nail and wire fence machines in operation. There are also the works of the Southern Steel company, employing 1000 men. and the Empire Flow works where 800 men arc In service supplying all the farmers of the country with tools and farming utensils. The Fire Brick company and the Sash and Door works will probably draw the attention of many of their patrons dur ing Home Coming Week
 One of the great Improvements now In nrnnreSs is the addition of two aO-ton