The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-02
WALKER COUNTY IS GROWING RAPIDLY Has a Variety of Important
 Natural Resources M MING IS EXTENSIVE County Has Several Growing Towns That Add to Wealth and lmpor-
 tance-sherlff Jack Moore
 Talks of Development.
MINING IS EXTENSIV E

are still a little muddy on account of the warm Long -Huggins contest over the nomination for sheriff, but I am of the opinion that everything will quiet down and all democrats will be ready to sup port the regular nominee at the general election" said Sheriff Jack Moore of Jas per- who was in the city yesterday morn ing,
 However, the heat of politics is over and the people are returning to business and the task of making Walker the great est county in the state of Alabama.
 "The story of Walker county's develop ment in the past five years reads like a romance. The real greatness of the sec ton is not even yet realized by the people of Alabama, and strange to say our own people do not seem to fully appreciate the county and It's broad developments Only a few years ago Walker county was hard ly considered as an asset worthy recon Ing with by the state It had, perhaps. an unpleasant reputation for barrenness and backwardness along all lines of pro- gross. The change has been wonderful. Many Advantages. "The great variety Of natural advant- ages puts Walker county in the front rank of counties of importance in the state and will in the near future com mand the attention that is due us. Besides our great mineral wealth we have some of the finest agricultural lands in the state, and our timber Is just now receiving the attention that it deserves We have, perhaps, some of the finest tim Der lands in North Alabama ,and exten- sive developments are now on foot in this field. This feature of section is at tracing capital and enterprise from other parts of the country that will certainly mean much for the advancement of the industrial interests of this district.
 "Walker county's coal mining interests have for several years shown wonder full development and great things are promised for the future. Broad develop ments are being made in this industry in all sections of the county.
 New fields are constantly being devel- oped and the old camps are being inn proved and extended. New railroad spur tracks and lines are being built for hand
  to become one of the greatest coal pro- ducing districts in the country. Public Utilities.
 Much money, time and attention are being put in the development and inn provement of the public roads and other public utilities. Telephone lines are being built all over the county that not only connect the towns but take in the far mers in the rural sections One is able now to reach almost every corner of tho county by quick telephone connection and this is doing a great deal to elevate the standard of citizenship and inspire home pride in the people.
 ''The public schools of the county are being greatly improved and the attend ance this year is larger than ever before. The live interest that is being taken in educational matters by all classes of peo- pie Is very encouraging and speaks well for the people, New and better school houses are being provided wherever need ed and as fast as possible. More care is being taken in the selection of efficient teachers.
 Jasper, the county seat, is enjoying a season of wonderful prosperity and is growing rapidly and substantially. Many credtable buildings of evident permanen- cy have been erected in the past few years and the indications are that these improvements will continue indefinitely.
 Jasper has as fine water supply as any town in the state, a good system of electric lights. an excellent telephone service and no town in the state has a better system of public schools with larger attendance according to popula- tion. The streets and sidewalks are in good condition and are being constantly inn proved.
 Towns of Importance.
 "Wallxer county has several towns of growing importance Carbon Hill has had a wonderful growth during the past two years. Situated as 1t is in the center of a very fine and active coal mining sec tion prosperity has been forced upon it unbidden. Carbon hill has first class pub lie improvements and Is clean and attrac- tive, unlike most mining towns. It has good churches and schools and almost