The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-03

 ter than the one that was destroyed Lost fortunes have been repaired to large ex- tent and today Alexander City is consid- cred one of the most progressive towns in this section of the state.
 The total loss was $470.000, with about $200.O00 insurance. In the course of an hour-and it was at the noon hour-the fire had destroyed B mercantile establish ments, three banks, two livery stables, one stock yard, one church, the branch county courthouse, 10 dwellings, the Cen tral of Georgia railroad depot and two hotels.
 Not so much as peck of meal could have been bought in the town 10 minutes after the fire. Every store with all con- tents was destroyed. Though some of the merchants tried to save some of their goods the wagons were caught in the streets and burned. There was difficulty in saving the horses and mules hitched to the wagons.
 Plan Rebuilding.
 But the brave citizens waded into the hot ashes and began to plan the rebuild ing of the town The work that has been accomplished is something wonderful.
 Every building but one that was de- stroyed has been replaced with a better structure, and many additional buildings have been erected in the impetus of devel- opment given by the very necessity of the catastrophe.
 The fire did something else. It empha- of tion. For some time A. P Fuauay, prominent insurance man and public-spir- ited citizen, had been advocating the building of water works. On the heels of the fire he was elected mayor of the town and given power to put into execu- tion some of the dreams" he had been having.
 The water works were built. This was followed by the establishment of an elec- trio lighting plant-two very important enterprises in the development of the town.
 Russell Is Mayor.
 MT. F'uquay made a progressive executive and has done much in the upbuilding of the community. The present mayor, Tom c. Russell has al- ways stood by the progressive people 
 any other one man in the rebuilding of the town on broad lines. He is president of the First National bank and is connected with other tmpor- tant movements and business enter prises in the town and community.
 More than $50,000 has been spent in public improvements in the town since the fire. The city has one of the finest public school buildings in this section of the state, costing more than $15,000. It Is of brick and stone and is ample for the accommodation of the Iarse school attendance.
 Manufacturing Plants.
 Alexander City has two very impor- tant manufacturing industries. One Is the Alexander City cotton mills, with 15,C00 spindles. The other is the knit ting mill operated by the Russell Man ufacturing company. This is strictly local enterprise owned by the Russell brothers. Mayor Russell Is one of the firm. This plant manufactures knit shirts with daily capacity of thous- and dozen or 12,O00 garments. The mill gives employment to a large force of men and girls and Is an important factor in the towns prosperity.
 Two handsome and creditable churches have been erected in the last few years. The Methodist church cost about $11 ,000. while the Baptist church cost about $15,ooo.
 Pure Water.
 The city water supply of Alexander City is exceptionally pure It is mat ter of pride that not one case of typhoid