The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-08-01

Where the Louisville and Nashville rail road crosses Randolph creek, less than mile from Blount Springs, lies historic spot. framed in picturesque hills and full of the pathos of memories that clus- ter around it's record of more tnan a century. On It's southern side IS located the famous Cold Spring. Northward, tho mountain parts, forming deep canyon through which the waters Of the creek seek the Mulberry river. Two lofty peaks guard this enchanted vale, that 10 the right known as Ravens Graz, with It's battlement of rocks; that upon the left being Dolly Mount. Between the railroad bridge and the spring ridge meets the waters on each side of the creek, and here occurs fall of several feet, form ing a deep, blue pool. To the geologist. the entire scene Is delightful study; to the artist. a dream of beauty.
 During the Indian occupation of this territory the spot above described was the council grounds of the Cherokees; and here were held meetings that meant war or peace, their plans laid for their hunting trips, and their annual visits to the trading posts at the Falls of the Black Warrior (now. Tuscaloosa), to St. Stephens and Mobile The summits of the crag, and Dolly Mount were used as sta- tions for their signal fires in time of war A permanent camp was kept for those who used the sulphur waters near by. and it was familiar landmark to the early French missionaries and traders on their Journey from Mobile to French Lick. on the Cumberland river (now Nash vile Tenn) Here rested General Coffee 8 heroic soldiers on their homeward march to Tennessee, one of whom was Luther Morgan, who, returning In the year 1Sl6. became the pioneer of Biount Springs. As time passed and wealth and fashion an- nually assembled, the road to the Cold Spring became the popular drive and tho vale the scene of picnics. political gath erinEs, and during the summers or 1857 and 1858 of great barbecues and speech making in favor of building the South and North Alabama railroad from Mont romery to Decatur. Among the distin- guished speakers were General Garth of Decatur, Judge William s. Mudd of Ely ton. Judge John D. Phelan of Montgom- cry, Hon. L. c. Garland, then the presit dent of the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa, all inspired by John T. Mil ner, who performed unquestionably, the erandest work ever done for the progress and prosperity of Alabama I personally knew and honored him and consider him absolutely the founder of Birmingham.
 "And his triumph shall be sung
 By some yet unmoulded tongue
 Far off in summer that we shall not see.'
 At one of these barbacues were repre- tentative men from north. middle and south Alabama, comprising the leading ha nlxera. merchants and planters of each section. financially able at that time, to have built the railroad.
 Passing from such practical matters 10 sentiment here still fingers the aroma or many a faded romance of the summer of the long ago. when as sunset lit the crar like some ancient warriors signal fire. the southern cavalier knelt at the feet of some dark-eyed belle or Moolie or blonde beauty of a colder cline. Here fine mist and the moonlight yelled In silence and sadness those who only met to part forever, and the flowing waters stuI chant the requiem of many heroic