The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-12-13
ECHO FROM THE PAST.
Ala bama Now Has FOurscore ana EAghs
 Years To Its Credit.

Ala bama Now Has FOursc0re anA nABhS Years To It's Credit.
 Miss Virginia c. Clay in Huntsville Democrat.
 Jefferson County is making great and laudable preparations for appropriate celebrations on the SSth birthday of Alabama on December IA, in her public schools, and every county in the state should follow the example or the Jef- | ferson Teachers Association and do the children know too little of the history of our own State. its great pioneer mon and women, who, by their Vim, energy. patriotism. put all of their talents and Christian spirit into efforts to advance l the civilization of Alabama, develop It's resources and keep a steady growth or the mind and heart all the time ahead of the prosperity, with the determtna- tion that Alabama should never have the stigma cast upon 1t of q land l where wealth accumulates and men decay" There are no men or fabulous wealth in Alabama, but there has been | a marvellous accumulation of riches garnered in the way of advancement in the school facilities and arts and sct- ences. while the bowels of the earth are each day giving, some great evid. | ence of her fnexhausttble store ar i good things awaiting mans industry to | develop and utilize. One day q year tS small amount of time to spend on 3 | little research regarding the history of | our State and every Alabamian should | take special pride and pleasure in each year, celebrating the anniversary of 1 her birth into a glorious commonwealth of Statehood. when cur grandfathsrs sors, carried out their promises faith | fully and saw her received into tho Un- l ion of States with pardonable patriot | ism and pride.
 Mississippi territory embraced Ala bama until 1877, when she was weaned | and the Eastern part of the territory was re-christened Alabama" In 1919 1 Congress authorized It's conhrmation as a State. and in Huntsville, forty-five 1 of the young States best representative 1 citizens from twenty-two counties then | in existence, assembled in Huntsville | Constitution. Madison County's eight | delegates were:
 John w. Walker. President of the | Conventions; Clement c. Clay, Henry Tor. Lemuel Mead. John L. Townes and | Gabriel Moore. Later in the year, the l Legislature met here and elected John l W. Walker and William F. King Unit. ed States Senators.
 l The same year was elected the first of our thirty-three Governors:
 William Wyatt Bibb,
 who served the Territory and State as Governor with honor and distinction that has reflected and radiated into a 1 long and broad light of glory and pride that swells the heart and head of innu- merable descendants, who build their future as statesmen, bride or groom. | on the foundation of his virtues, but this does not keep down weeds and briers that hide his tomb from tho eyes of the thoughtless passerby:
 A sad commentary indeed!
 This tomb is in the little family burying plot near the old Bibb home- l stead in Fillmore County and a short dis tance out from the station of CoosadA. On September IA. 1906. while guest Of Major Screws and his lovely wife at Idylwild, their ideal country haven of rest, their splendid and clever young grandson. Wallace Screws Pitts, drove plantation. By conversation with wayside travellers bristling with interrogations from my gallant com panion and me, at last we found out where Alabama's first Governor rested from his labors. Through a beautiful grove of live oaks and pine we drove up to the house and hitched our horse Through deep ploughcd ground we waded across field, over a barbed wire fence we clambered. then fought our weary way through brambles and bri. CTS. sweet Cherokee and wild roses that shaped tombs that covered the graves l of the Bibb family. The branches of | the bay, willow, cypress and pine trees that were so closely woven and inter laced laced into s,a canopy overhead, hid the seem to reign. as the butterflies and bees fitted and hummed gleefully and the birds sang triumphant melody. 4 | hallowed spot it was. despite the wild ness,. and a reverence for the man whose ashes rest here, I felt as, with difficulty. deciphered this worthy Ep | itaph: l SACRED
 | To the Memory of
 | WILLIAM WYATT BIBB | Died 10th July. 1920,
 In the 10th year of his age.
 He was the first Governor of the | Territory and afterwards of the State
 of Alabama.
 He was the eldest son of William and Sallie Bibb. and was born in Prince
 County. Virginia
 DEAR DEPARTED SHADE!
 Thy many virtues will long be treas ured in the Memory of thy numerous Friends, and whilst they deeply mourn thy early fall, they are consoied with the hope that thou art at rest in the bosom of thy HEAVENLY FATHER' such at last is the uncertain stage of