The Birmingham age-herald., 1908-08-01
BLOUNT COUNTY IS PROSPEROUS AS EVER A. E. Fields Talks of the
 Bumper Crops CLOSE KIN 10 JEFFERSON Jefferson County Is Really Child of Blount, Because 1t Was Carved
 From That County In
 Early Days.
CLOSE KIN TO JEFFERSON

"Blount county has the finest prospect for a bumper crop of corn, cotton and other farm products in the memory of men," said A E. Fields of Blountsyille, who was in the city yesterday.
 "Blount county has a great diversity Of resources, and during the past few years some rapid developments are being made in all lines. We have some of the finest agricultural lands in the state, and the coal and iron deposits form no small part of the county's wealth. We also have some fine timber properties that are. being developed and which bring consider able money into the country.
 "Blount county is famous for it's ap- ples and this fruit is now being devel- oped and grown on much larger scale and with more system than in the past The apple wagon from Blount has been familiar sight on the streets of Bir- mingham since Birmingham existed. In the future the wholesale shipments promise to cut a large figure in the in dustry of the county.
 School Is Prosperine.
 "The agricultural school at Blountsville recently closed the most successful term in the history of the institution and the prospects for the coming session are very bright. President J. N. Miller has shown wonderful executive ability and the sue- cess of the school is due greatly to his energy and efficiency, not only as an in structor but general executive. He has q in olI partments. The attendance at the next term promises to be very large.
 "Blount county is not only one of the richest counties in the state in its di- versity of natural resources, but it has another and greater claim on the vener- ation of the state and especially Birmng- ham.
 Mother of Jefferson.
 "Bount county is the mother of Jeff ferson county and has never and never will she forget her bouncing offspring
 "Blount county headed the batch Of counties formed in the Territory of Ala bama at the first session of the terri torial legislature which convened at St. Stephens January 19, 1S1S The counties within the Alabama territory at the time of the division of the Mississippi and Ala
  win, Clarke, Mobile, Monroe and Mont gomery.
 During the first session of the terri torial legislature the following counties were formed: Blount, Conecuh, Cotaeo, Ca hawba, Dallas Franklin Lauderdale, Lawrence, Limestone, Marengo, Marion, Shelby and Tuscaloosa. Blount county, as formed at this time, included that ter ritory now covered by Jefferson county as we'll as some part of Cullman Winston i and Walker
 Jefferson Formed.
 '''rhe first session of the general as sembly of the state of Alabama was held at Huntsville, which was the temporary capital of the state until the new capital could be provided at the mouth of the Cahawba river This first session was convened October 25, 1S19, and during this session the county of Jefferson was formed from a rib taken from the side Of Blount county.
 "Other counties former at this time were Greene, Perry Henry, Wilcox and But Ter Greene was organized on territory taken from Marengo and Tuscaloosa; Perry on territory taken from Montgom- cry; Henry on territory taken from Conecuh; Wilcox of territory taken from Monroe and Dallas, and Butler on terri tory taken from Conecuh.
 Since Jefferson county is a child of the mother Blount We people in the ma ternal territory take pride in the pros perity of Birmingham and Jefferson coun- ty It now seems probable that Blount is to have grandchild in Bessemer coun- ty We will be equally proud of both.
 Coming To Birmingham.
 "Indeed, so proud of Jefferson and Br- mingham am l individually tthat l am winding up my affairs in Blount county and will become a fullfiedged citizen of this city some time between now and Christmas holidays. 1 hope to be close Twentieth street.
 While I have been deeply interested in the growth and prosperity of my home county l do not feel that 1 am entirely deserting her in coming to Birmingham. I am merely coming to live with the children, and, of course, will never forget Blount, where 1 have lived for many years.
 q feel that Blount county's child, Jef- ferson, is fully able to care for me, a foster child of the mother, in my advanc- ing years"
 Active Business Man.
 MT. Fields has long been one of the most active business men of North Ala bama He was for many years in the mer- cantile business at Blountsvlle and has large landed interests in Blount and ad- joining counties.
 He was one of the principal organizers of the old Blount college, which was later merged into the Seventh District Agricul- tllral school. Dr. J. A. B. Lovett, now of Bessemer, was the first president of Blount college and held the position for some time after the organization of the agricultural school.