The Birmingham age-herald., 1907-06-30
GREAT INTEREST
 IN NEW IRON BOOK
MANY LETTERS ARE BEING RE- cEIVED AND SUGGESTIONS ARE MADE FOR HISTORY OF THE IN- DUSTRY IN ALABAMA.

The project of compiling a history of iron making in Alabama is attracting considerable interest, not only through out the state, but in many other sections of the country where iron is king
 James M. swanl, general manager of the American Iron and Steel association, and author of Iron in All Ages" has written to express his qualification that the full and complete record of Alabama s work is at last to be presented to the world.
 Tn my Iron in All Ages" writes MT Swank to Miss Armes, q did not under take to give the history of all the early iron enterprises in each of the states, but only the history of those which marked the beginning of the iron industry, pre- serving always the names of the pioneers By all means include in your book all the early forges which were used before the days of rolling mills in making bar iron"
 John Birlzinbine. that distinguished scientist, sc1olar and engineer, writes from Philadelphia expressing his interest in the work
 The Washington Post commenting on the history, says:
 .'There is romance in the story as well as cold facts and hard millions, and the work will be awaited with keen interest. Truman H. Aldrich, who was elected chairman of the committee on publication, is well known in Washington, where his home is now located. He was repre- sentative from Alabama in the Fifty fourth Congress, and has been most ac- tive in scientific and geological work, and in the development of the coal and iron industries of Alabama" The Post, con tinuing, names the working members of the committee: George B. Mccormack, Rufus N. Rhodes, A. H. Woodward, Henry F. DeBardeleben. David Roberts and Morris Bush as among "the leading men of Alabama"
 MT. ]. W. Worthington, vice president of the Sheffield company, is actively in- terested is gathering data relating to the Cedar Creek furnace near Russellville, Che oldest plant in the state, and also all the particulars relating to the building or the Birmingham Mineral railroad, constructed by MT. Worthington for M. II. Smith. A special invitation has been accorded MISS Armes to visit Sheffield as the guest of the Sheffield company.
 John Bowling, general furnace superin- tendent of the Southern Steel company's plants at Chattanooga, has recently con- tributed information of value to the his tory.
 Mrs. John London, Jr., is preparing a sketch of her father, Thomas Ward, one of the builders of the first rolling mill Tn Birmingham.
 Capt. Frank P. O'Brien of this city has furnished interesting facts relating to the early operations of the Red Mountain Iron company at Oxmoor oeiore anu uui ing the war.
 Miss Mary Noble of Anniston is gather ing information relating to the important achievements accomplished by the Noble family in the iron development of this state, as is also John D. Ware.
 Capt Frank Fitch and Cunningham Ma han of Brierfeld are actively interested Captain Fitch having all the records eN- tant regarding the old Round Mountain furnace of Cherokee county, and MT. Ma han contributing many. important facts concerning the Brierfield plant.
 l. w. DuBose, writing from Wetumpha to Miss Armes, mentions the following points that appear to him of vital interest In the history:
 1. Get the proof that John T. Mllner was the real founder of the LoulsV1iie and Nashville railroad system.
 ?. That D. S. Troy was the torerunner Ill tbe coke making of the Birmingham dis trict.
 ..rhe railroad and the coke made pos sible all that followed and yet follows ao fnfinitum. The story of each IS fasciilat- ing. and Alabama must congratulate ner, self through the ages that you are 10 tell 1t fin It's foundation
 Erskine Ramsay. who is expected snort ly. has information of special interest re- lating to the first Red mountain hliiies'