The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-23
KEEN INTEREST IN ROUTE ID ALLAN IA County Officials Are Asked To
 Cooperate in Plans LETTER FROM ANNIST0N c. B. Randolph Points Out Route That He Thinks Is Most Desirable
 Between Birmingham
 and Anniston.

In order to get actual results from the Birmingham to Atlanta, Secretary George T. Brazealton of the Birmingham Auto mobile club, Is mailing out letters to the county commissioners in every county through which the three proposed routes pass, asking their cooperation and inter est, inquiring about road conditions in their counties and asking just what in ducement they can offer in the way of connecting up to their, county lines and improving their bikes toward getting the official automobile road between the two cities
 Already great interest is being taken in the route by the people along the line. J. H Holcombe is in receipt of letter from c. B. Randolph, former United States commissioner, at Anniston, who is famil- far with the topography of the coun- try suggesting line through Annlston In an article in yesterdays Atlanta Con- stitution the trip of the Birmingham auto scouts was highly boosted, and 1t was stated that George c. Walters of the Garage and Southern Automobilist has already arranged to meet the party at the state line with a number of cars from Atlanta Here is MT. Randolph's letter: Anniston. September 1s, 1909. Mr. J. H. Hocome, Birmingham:
 Dear Mir. Holcome-I notice yourself and friends are looking out an auto route from Birmingham to Atlanta. I being a good roads" man, would like that you pass through this (Calhoun) county, and as I have had occasion in time past to somewhat famiiarize myself with the to- pography between here and Birmingham would beg to call your attention to a route through St. Clair county, which I think will be found feasible and shorter than any other practicable route. I take 1t that you will avoid the mountains as much as possible I believe If you come by Leeds and from there to McCrorys gap, some seven miles northeast of Oden- vile. and drought that gap down Shoal Creek valley some 12 miles to the Coosa river, which you will strike about one and one-half miles above Lock 2; thence down the river to just below Lock 5. and crossing the river there you will find it the most direct to this county.
 This Shoal Creek valley is located be- tween the Beaver and Shoal Creek moun- tains and has as fine natural scenery as can be found in north Alabama. and when you strike the river you are at the celebrated Ten Islands which you pass until you get to Lock 5. passing the big dam at Lock 2, built by the United States government. This is the sportsman's paradise for fishing, boating and shoot ing fowl when in season. However, there Is no ferry at Lock g. but the river is only about 300 or 600 feet wide there. about half as wide as at Greensport and our people are anxious for a ferry there and think they will aid in putting one in if proper pressure Is brought to bear. own the land on this side of the river to the public road and will gladly grant free right of way to where it will inter- sect the public road
 After getting on this side there will be or If preferred going east to Jacksonville, or, before getting to Jacksonville go northeast by way of Piedmont and Ce- dartown to Atlanta. This route would take in Ingram Wells and SchenlSs Sul- phur Springs, two noted water resorts.
 Probably the Beavey Valley road around by Greensport is better worked and kept up. but, Is greater distance and wider river to cross. and the road on this side Is more broken and rocky
 If you examine this Shoal creek route and decide to adopt 1t. please let me know if I can render any further aid in securing the putting in of a ferry, etc, and I will be glad to render any aid pos- sible. Very truly yours,
 G. B. RANDOLPH.