The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-25
Grand Old Institution of the
 Baptist Church
PERRY IS PROGRESSIVE
One of the Richest Agricultural coun- ties In the State-Diversified Farm ing Brings Independence.
 Great Soil Diversity.
BY WALTER HARPER.

l ms grand old institution given to the state by the Baptists almost 80 years ago is veritable beauty spot on the face of the commonwealth.
 It has had many trials and difficulties during its history, but just now it Is entering period of prosperity that Is matter of congratulation not only for President R. G. Patrick, but for every man and woman in the state.
 pr. Patrick has been at the head of Judson college for 13 years and the in- stitution has grown in power and in- fluence under his management. A large and burdensome debt has been raised and extensive Improvements have been made, including large auditorium and a Carnegie library. The auditorium Is one of the largest and best in the state with a seating capacity of more than l2OO. The stage is the largest in the state not excepting those in the theatres.
 New Library.
 The library has just been completed at a total cost of about s26O00 and is one of the handsomest in Alabama. The fur nishings are unusually tasteful and con
 
 the building is set apart for club and reception rooms. These are elegantly fur nished.
 Plans are completed for the erection of a home for the president and the south end of the campus and work will probably begin in few weeks. The build ing will cost upward of $aO,0OO.
 Judson is just now in the midst of it's annual commencement exercises and Ma iron is full of visitors, parents and friends of the students. There are 275 students this year-the flower of the south's young womanhood. Every southern state is rep. resented.
 Founding of Colleges. ..
 Judson and Howard colleges were or ganized in the class rooms of the Siloam Baptist church here back in the early sos. Howard college has since been moved to Birmingham. The old build ing here is now used by the Marion in- | stitute.
 visited Siloam Baptist church where these institutions were founded almost a century ago. It Is one of the oldest church buildings in the state and is ven- erable with age and hallowed associa- tions. The interior has been recently l oyerhauled and modernized but the trus- tees are strictly forbidden to alter the exterior in any way. It is a large build ing and impresses every visitor with its age and sacredness.
 Sivan Baptist chur rch.
 Siloam Baptist church was constituted June 2, 1928, with the following mem- bers: William Miller Elizabeth Miller, Anderson West, Celia West, G. w. Brame, Dinah H. Brame, Nancy King and Margaret Curry
 The first pastor of the church was Rev. Charles Crowe, who lived at Greens boro. He united with Siloam church July 12, 1923.
 Edwin D. King, who was baptised into the church in December, 1S23 was one of the principal founders of Judson and Howard colleges. Mrs. James Barron. one of the early members of the church and property owners, donated the lots for the schools and gave other material assistance Judson was founded in 1887 and Howard in 1S40.
 County Seat of Perry. Marion is the county seat of Perry one of the richest and most progressive coun- ties in the tier bordering the black belt The town Is one of the prettiest residen- tial communities in the state, with fine old colonial homes and elegant, noble peo- ple It has population of about 5000. Uniontown, in the southern part of the county, is the other town of import ance in the county.
 Perry county was established Decem- Der Is, lSl9, and has an area of TIA square miles. It was named for Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry the naval hero of the war of 1872.
 The soil Is of a wide variety and is adapted to many important crops Un- der the old regime cotton was the prin- cipal crop but diversifoation farming is giving a much wider scope to the pro- duotion and wealth of the planters here. It has been found that alfalfa grows successfully here and Is coming to be an important crop. Fine wrapper tobac- co is also an important crop that prom ises to become very valuable. Govern ment experts have conducted extensive experiments in the county and have proven the adaptability of the soil and ci- mate for this product. Several planters are now engaged In the successful grow ing of the weed. Cabbage is another im- portant crop produced in the county 9th CT vegetables are extensively grown.
 Johnson grass and alfalfa provide a hay crop that IS very valuable. Stock raising is getting to be an important in- dustry.
 Scores of planters in this section are making independent fortunes by their in- dustry and intelligent operations.
 Notes By the Way.
 President R. G. Patrick of Judson has great faith in the superior efficiency of individual training and influence in school work. He says that the student is cheat ed out of much of the good they should get by orowding. No institution can render the fullest service that has an attendance up to the maximum of ca pacity. Judson had 25 under It's max imum this year and the result has been very satisfactory. The college has a 27b year ago the president and the trustees decided not to solicit business on the usual scale and limit the entrance. The result has been more beneficial than was anticipated. The teachers have been able to do moro and better individual work The standard for work has been raised and the requirements for gradua- tion more exacting. It Is the intention of the officers of the institution to con- tinue this advancement until the standard is as high as any institution of the kind in the land.
 Expelled From Panama. Panama May N-The action of the