The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-02-03
Chairman Commission. .
Monroe County and It's Contributions
 To Alabama,

Monroe County and It's Contributions
 To Alabama.
 In The Advertiser of recent date, un- der the heading of Five Living Ex- Governors" the statement is made that ] there are no Ex-Governors living in bama has not produced as many Gov ernors as Middle and North Alabama. No explanattOn Is given, It is easily 1 in the early history of the State, the tide of emigration flowed to the Mo 1 bile. Tensas and Tombigbee settle high as Claiborne; and to Huntsville and along the Tennessee river. The immigrants to South Alabama came mostly from Georgia, North and South Valley from Tennessee and North Caro- l lima.
 There were forts in Baldwin, Mon roe and Clarke counties near the Ala ] bama river for the protection or white | families from hostile Indians-Fort Mims in Baldwin county, Fort Clai- borne in Monroe county and Forts Madison and Sinquefield In Clarke pioneers naturally located. Thus south Alabama became populous at an early date and had a preponderating influence in the political history of the State up to 1880. About that date the Black Belt section began to be settled by planters from Virginia and other ssasss sa Md 1nd Ashama nvs fns through development of the coal and iron fields and attendant manufactur- ing industries, North Alabama has be- come the more popurlous portion of the State with greater, if not dominating | political influence.
 Claiborne Monroe county, in early days thriving poplous town, the ship furnished three Governors-viZS John Murphy from 1925 to 1929; John Gayle 1S31-35; Arthur P. Bagby 1887 Al. 1 think Bagby was the last from thre being no Ex-Governors now liv- ing there. Bagby was afterwards Uni- ted States Senator and Minister to Russia, 1S42-1S50. Murphy, Represen- tative in Congress. 1SSs-S5 and Gayle, 1S4749. In this connection I will men, tion other citizens of the old historic town whose names should be rescued from oblivion-men who in the Forum and Halls of Legislation made impress on the history of the State--James Del lett, George w. owen. Enoch Parsons. acted well their part in the drama of life. Act well your part, there all the honor lies"
 James DelIet was Speaker of the House of Renresentatives in 1919 and 21; George P. owen, 1929. Both after wards were members of Congress owen. 1S19-21, and from 1925 to 29 Dellet, lS29-4l, and 4S-4o.
  and Sam Dale, (Big Sam as the Indians called him) also made history for that part of the State. Dale represented Monroe county in the Legislature from 1920 to 1924.
 feel pardonable pride in the work of those representatives of my native town and county who did so much to shape the destiny of the State, and 1 trust it will be shared by others In Ala bama. As boy and man. I knew the m all except Dale and Owen) and some of them intimately. especially Dellet rand Bagby-Bagby was man of large and commanding physique. and keen black eye and massive head and great dignity His personality would have impressed any one favorably,
 "But not for this. oh. not for these,
 love thy fields to roam
 Thou hast d dearer spell to me
 Thou art my native home"
 N. A. Agee.
 Selma Ala, January 30, 1907.
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