The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-27
O'NEAL FOSTERS FLOCK
We'll Known Lineman Taking Keen ln- terest in His English Pheas- ants, Which Promise
 To Do We'll.
BY WALTER HARPER.

 best points at first glance. For instance station like that at Birmingham puts a spirit of quickness and pleasure in your soul that prepares you for the really great city that lies before you.
 If you first arrive in a low, dirty, smoky, rambling shack in the congested and unkept part of city you form an unfavorable impression of that city that is hard to shake.
 Every town and city in the state of Ala bama has it's little peculiarities and soma of these distinctive features usually pre- sent themselves in the first view we have of the place.
 Calera Looks Good.
 I was favorably impressed when I stepped off the train at Calera. There was a handsome new union passenger station with liberal walks and approaches, ample railroad yards and a general view of business streets that appeared to be active and progressive. When 1 was told that Calera has Is passenger trains a day and almost half century of busy freight trains I could account for the apparent
  activity of the place.
 One Of the characteristics of the place that impressed me the moment stepped to the ground was the small army of livery stable men and boys that sur rounded me- each armed with a buggy whip. This seems to be the common in- signia of the profession at Calera and 1t seems to be the policy of every man and boy connected with each stable in any way to assemble at the depot at every train, whip in hand, to solicit patronage.
 am told that there are only two stables in the place. The evident number of men given employment speaks well for the business.
 Oliver Is Mayor.
 w. R. Oliver is mayor of the town and is one of the most progressive mayors in the state of the second-elass towns He takes a live interest not only in the growth and prosperity of the town but is proud of his county and takes a keen interest in the welfare of the farmers in the community MT Oliver declares that the lands in the vicinity of Calera will produce anything that will grow in this climate and produce them abundantly. He is an attorney of note in the state and at one time was state senator from this district. He was also at one time major of the Third Alabama regiment of volun- teers and solicitor of the county court of Shelby county.
 Calera has a population of about 2O00 and is growing very rapidly. About $50,- 900 has been spent in new building in Calera during the past two or three years. C. w. Wade one of the most enterpris- Ing citizens of the town, has himself spent more than half that amount in new business blocks and substantial residences in that time. He Is now erecting near the union station four-story brick, in- cludng a baseif ent, that will cost about $10OO0 when completed This is a building state outside of the really great The first floors will be used for store rooms, while the upper floors will be used as a hotel.
 Busy Industries.
 The principal industries here at present are lime and cooperage plants. c. L. O'Neal and F. H. Hardy operate the prin- cipal lime plants, while W. G. Nichols Is manager of the Alabama Cooperage plant. This latter concern is located in the town proper and gives employment to a large number of men.
 A large chemical plant is just now in prospect to be located on the old John w. Lapsley and General Shelley homesteads north of town. A deal for these well known properties Is now being closed for northern capitalists who, it is said will begin operations at once. The nature of the plant and the full details have not yet been an- nounced.
 Onyx or Egyptian marble exists in inexhaustable quantity a few miles south of town. Options were taken on some of the property yesterday and ex- pert marble men are preparing to make extensive developments. Samples of the marble indicate superior quality. Indeed this marble Is already being used in small way and it's value has been thoroughly demonstrated.
 Great Mineral Wealth.
 Coal and iron ore abound in this section and there is fair prospect that they will be mined extensively in the near future. Calera Is we'll supplied with three railroads operating In all most every direction, affording excel lent means of transportation for al- most any degree of development along these lines.
 Calera has one bank which does large business. It is the Citizens Bank of Calera. It was opened for business In 1907. The officers are R. E. Bow don president; w. G. Nichols, vice president, and T. B. Parker, cashier. The capital stock Is s10,000. The de- posits are $1S,000.
 Fire destroyed the handsome public school building last winter and engagements are now being made for tn @ erection of another. The new build ing will be of brick and will be ready for the next term of school
 c. L. O'Neals Birds.
 When I called on c. L. O'Neal to learn something of the lime industry in the district he showed his check book across his desk and said: 70, the lime business Is picking up a little but, say, I want you to see my birds They are beauties. I have five of the prettiest English pheasants you ever saw. They are the silver and the ring neck or golden pheasants.
 "I also have one adult grouse. known as the Sharptailed grouse, and three young ones matched from eggs I imported from Indiana. l intend to stock my place a few miles north of town with these excellent game birds if 1t is possible
 q got the grouse about 200 miles north of Seattle on the Columb ia river. near the Canadian border, about a year ago. Last summer I spent while in that country and had some great sport sh ooting these birds. After I returned home it occurred to me that our forests and fields might be suc- cessfully stocked with them and I had one captured and shipped to me. did