The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1908-09-20

reaching the top, one looks back across
the opposite valley, and counts seven dis
tinct mountains, rolling off toward the
horizon, fringed in blue and white.
But pushing on you come with gasp
to Whites View. Right at your feet
stretches the town of Jacksonville as
plain as a checkerboard, though hundreds
ants toward the blue distant range The
panorama becomes more and more I'M
pressive as the cool breezes fan your face.
There is beauty, nature and industry
painted into a perfect whole.
Toward the west rises the distant smoke
of Gadsden. and at night, the light of the
furnaces redden the horizon, while the
electric lights in the sleeping town below
flicker their constant watchfulness
1t was something to find such a spot
so near home. but it was even more a
privilege to stand there with the two men
whose hands have done more to create
the new Jacksonville than any others, to
follow where their fingers pointed to
where the manufacturing wealth, the
mineral wealth the riches of soil, and
the temple of education are to be found.
Nature has many agents in Jackson
Vile, but her superintendent of industry
is George p. Ide and her president of edu-
cation is C. w. Daugette.
The story of the little city's present
activity is wrapt around the success of
the invested capital which Mr. Ide has
interested there Within five years the
population of the place has been doubled
The Ide cotton mills are first in the list
The hum of $1,000 spindles is music not
unpleasant to the whole country. With
an electric plant of 1900 horsepower, and
the most modern machinery invented,
with a cotton town provided with every
advantage. water, electric lights, neat
healthy houses the plant is one of the
most complete in the state.
Not a face in the whole building bore
the proverbial strain and frown of the
wealSling. They were strong, healthy
bodies which handled the almost human
machines, and from the man who stood
over the piclers, through the drawing,
the drawing, the rowing, the spinning
until 1t was twisted, spoiled and warped,
the laborers seemed happy in their work.
The Jacksonville oil mill of which
Mr.. Ide is the executive officer is the
Oldest Industry in the city, and has
long kept the pace OF the oil mills in
the south. 1t furnishes the power for
the citys complete electric plant. There
are two planning mills, a saw mill, q fer
tlizer factory, a modern laundry and
many Of the little advantages that towns
of like reputation are not in the habit
of enjoying.
The Jacksonville Normal school is the
educational pride of the Fourth district.
President Daugette has brought it up
from a little school until this year it
will open with 10 highly educated spe-
cfalists for teachers. During his twelve
years term he has brought the attend
ance up from 25 to 500. The children of
the town are especially fortunate in the
privileges of the training school which
t. 4 4 aarat
Work has just begun on the college
grounds to expend the $4,000 given by
the legislature for new building. When
completed it will present one of the most
imposing fronts among the state educa-
tional buildings.
There are many little things that might
be mentioned For manufacturing pur-
poses there is water in abundance The
town spring gushes forth over million
gallons per day, while dozens of other
year round springs are found in and
around the town.
Daily from within a radius of three
miles, marches a big pilgrimage to the
town well which, according to the an
alysis, contains large amount of cal
cium and magnesium bicarbonate, as
well as chalybeate properties
Sulphur springs, few miles distant,
furnishes the finest sulphur water, while
Lander's well water has all the proper
ties of Tate.
All the ores necessary for the production
of iron are abundant in the hills, and
mines are already in operation which
look toward a full opening of this branch
of the field. Five churches fulfill the
demand for houses of worship. The Sea-
board Air Line and Southern railroads
give fine service.
In the immediate neighborhood are
number of big farmers who do business
on a large scale and call Jacksonville
their. home. Among them are j. ID.
Edwards, Walter Dean, W. c. Scar
brough, Carpenter Bros, and W. d. Nix
on The Alabama Investment company Is
the improvement organization of the
county Owning many acres of town as
we'll as farm land they are active In the
location of farms, industries and manu-
featuring plants.
The town is blest with a monthly news
paper. 1.-THE Booster which is live and
energetic, as well as the reliable jack
sonville Record, issued weekly. Both are
edited by Walter j. Clarke.
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