The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-29
LOVELY VALLEY
NOW CONNECTED
TO BIRMINGHAM
Beginning of Work on the New
Road Celebrated With
Unique Ceremonies
MISS M'RTHA DA3NEY
FIRES THE FIRST "SHOTn
Several Prominent Citizens Make Ad-
dresses and Praise Smith and
BrazeaIton-"B E. E. r."
Line Is Launched.

II hereby declare the work of connect
ing lovely Shades valley with mighty
Birmingham begun, and the Birmingham
! and Edgewood Electric railroad launched
upon a great and successful career"
With these words Miss Martha Dab
ney pulled the lever which fired a mighty
blast and signaled to the world that Biz
mingham has broken the seawall and will
soon spread out in great flood over
Shades valley.
Standing on the very crest of Red
mountain, with the great smoky city in
panorama below, and the promised land,
green and beautiful behind. a group of
some 80 of Birmingham's builders and
prominent citizens took part in the for
NAL opening of the work
All agreed in declaring 1t one of the
most suspicious occasions in the his
tory of Greater Birmingham, pointing to
Shades valley as the city of homes,
where tagged brains and tired nerves can
find rest in natures lap. The brainy men
of Jones valley Joined hands on the
mountain top with the sturdy prophets
of Shades valley, and planned for the
enriching and growth of the whole Bir-
| mingham district
Every speaker was intent upon prais-
ing the energy and persistency of Steve
Smith and George Brazealton, 1.-THE two
young men who stepped in and accomp-
lished what many had planned but dared
not undertake"
Road Automobile Lined.
The road and mountainside were lined
with automobiles and vehicles at 4:3O
o'clock when the opening exercises be-
gan. With the fair sponsor and her
maids on the right, and big American
flag as background, while a band played
martial strains, Master of Ceremonies
L. ]. Haley announced that the gathering
was for the purpose of forging the link
between the two valleys. He then in
troduced Jere King as the prophet of
Greater Birmingham.
ST have suspended an engagement"
said Mr.. King, ito come here and help
cut Red mountain, which for more than
30 years has been the barrier of this
splendid community" He called atten-
ton to the shape of Greater Birmingham,
Almighty" he said, "decreed the lay of
the land, but my friends Smith and
Brazealton have decided to change it.
1.-THE Importance of this occasion can
not be overestimated. Now that we are
expecting other thousands to come in
here and make this the metropolis of the
south, it is all important that tired brains
hnd nd nj
ure in peaceful bungalows, and the beau
tiful scenery of Shades valley. We all
have implicit confidence in this project
and know that this valley will soon bios
som like rose"
James Bowron made an interesting
talk, speaking of the advantages of plenty
of room in the modern city stressing the
danger of the slums, and praising the
work which will allow Birmingham's
overflow population to run over into
Shades valley.
IT have talked about our coal and iron
until am tired" he said. 81 would rath-
er talk about things that will make the
people of Birmingham happier instead
of richer 1 hope to see the time when
the people Of Birmingham will enjoy
perfect system of public parks and gar
dens and I welcome another move which
will allow our mechanics to blow in
their money into home. home here
in Edgewood with plenty of fresh air
and room to raise flowers in the front
yard and potatoes in the back, where the
man may live under his own vine and fig
tree is a blessing to each man and of
the community"
Guy r. johnson of the Pratt Consol-
idated company pointed out the millions
of tons of crude ore which are yet to
be reached, told of the plans already on
foot to improve the present methods and
The wonderful results which will be had
in time. He warned against ''sitting
here and chewing about prohibition in
stead of working to make things grow"
and said, II am simply lost in wonder at
the audacity of the idea O. lacking
Shades valley on to Birmingham. The
sooner it comes into Greater Birming-
ham the better'
Several Short Speeches.
Mr.. Haley called on Robert Jemison,
ST., who said: Il want to congratulate
this community upon having in it such
young men who are willing to do what
our county should have done long ago.
believe that the work which they have
undertaken will be AWARDED by great
profit to Birmingham. Everybody should
encourage Them Railroads are good
things, although we have officials in this
state who wish to destroy them. | hope
we will never have any more
job Going, president of the Board of
Revenue said lit is with great pleas
ure that [ am here on this Occasio II