The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-26
GREENSBORO AND
 BIRMINGHAM KIN Was Home of Many Prominent
 Citizens TRADITIONAL INTEREST
Furnished Three Governors and Pres dent of First Secession Convention Held at CharIeston-Story of
 the Southern University.
BY WALTER HARPER.

Greensboro, May 25.-(Specia1. .)-Greens- boro, one of the oldest towns in the state still teens with the hallowed traditions of the good old days of the south. The town and community has produced many of the most prominent men of the old and the new south.
 During the flush times in Alabama and Mississippi Greensboro was prominent and furnished at least one of the characters that made that period famous. William M. Murphy, one of the most powerful criminal attorneys that the state pro- duced, lived here. His law partner s son, c. E. Waller, is now a prominent figure. His office is opposite that of ex- Governor Thomas Eeay, which remains as 1t appeared when occupied by that noted attorney and statesman The wealth er-worn name plate is still at the door of the office.
 Home of\John Erwin.
 Greensboro was also the home of Col. John Erwin who presided at the first secession convention held at Charleston, s. c.
 Another notable man was Col. James D. Webb Colonel Webb was opposed to secession but when the conflict came he raised a company and went to the front, fighting valiantly until he was killed on the battlefield. The Greens boro Daughters of the Confectionery named their chapter for him.
 Capt. Sydenham Moore was another prominent figure in Greensboro in the old days. He commanded a company in the Mexican war and was congressman from this district at the time of the breaking out of the civil war He resigned his position at Washington and gave his ser vices to the Confederate cause. He was killed at the battle of Seven Pines. His son, Sydenham Moore. and a daughter, Mrs. w. P. G. Harding, live in Birming- ham.
 Three Governors.
 Greensboro gave Alabama three gov eronrs, Thomas Seay, John Gayle and Israel Pickens. It is now grooming a son for president of the United States.
 The boast is often made in Greens boro that that community has not only furnished some of the greatest men of the state but provided the brains that built Birmingham. And when we look over the register we are compelled to admit part of the claim.
 Some of the people in Birmingham who went from Greensboro are Chancellor A. H. Benners, B. M. Allen, w. w. Craw- ford, A. B. Loveman, A. A Coleman, Isaac Benners, Jack Mcdonald, H. M. Beck. J. B. Reid, w. T. Poe, T. C. Mcdonald Isaiah Pickens. Tom Lavendar, James Lavendar, Ben Atkins, Sam Cow an. Bab Chadwick of Ensley. J. M. Otis. Jr., Rev. Hoyt Dobbs, Lee Bradley Grey F. Lewis, pr. Will Quinn. Thomas R. Roulhac, deceased, James A. Webb, de- ceased, and many others.
 Birmingham Pioneer.
 Jack Mcdonald went from here when Birmingham was an experiment and in- vested all his money on venture He 7 bought lot on the corner now occu- pied by the First National bank and built one of the first brick structures He was closely identified with the early building of the city. His courage is com mendable
 So it is that Greensboro and Birming- ham are closely identified. These are good people and Birmingham should be proud of the blood and brains it has drawn from this community
 Southern University.
 Greensboro is the seat of the South ern univ ersity the college of the Alabama Methodist conference. 1t was chartered January 26 1856. The charter was se- cured over the veto of Governor Win ston. The sum of s16S,50 had been raised for the building in Greene and Sumpter counties alone. During the following year an additional $4o,58 was raised in eight counties of the state. The cornerstone was laid June Il. 1Ss7, with much pomp and splendor of military parade, bands and music. Colonel Wiley, Masonic grand master of Alabama, presided on the oc- casion. Bishop Pierce was prominent speaker.
 The first session of the college opened Octobsr 3, 1858, with the following fac- ulty; Dr. William M. Wightman. presi- dent and professor of Biblical literature; Thomas N. Luton \. M. professor of