The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-06-03
MAKES BID
 FOR THE MASONIC HOME

Jacksonville June 2.-(special.)-The people of Jacksonville are asking for the location here of the proposed Masonic Home for Indgent Masons, Their Widows and orphans.
 The following letter with proposition and sketch of Jacksonville's advantages, has been forwarded to Chairman Ben M. Jacobs of the locating committee:
 Letter of Committee.
 Jacksonville,- Ala, June 1, 1909. To Hon. Ben M Jacobs, Chairman, and
 Members of the Locating Committee
 for the Masonic Home for Indigent
 Masons, Their Widows and Orphans;
 Gentlemen-Jacksonvill Ala, hereby makes formal application for the location of the Home for Indigent Masons, Their Widows and Orphans, and with the appli- cation begs to submit for your consider ation the following proposition, condi- tioned on the location of the home at this place:
 Fifty-eight acres of land on one of the main thoroughfares of the city, only four blocks from the public square. This tract of land is an ideal site in every sense or the word. It is situated on an eminence commanding d most entrancing view of the surrounding country. There Is ample room for any number of buildings that the institution may require for all time to come nor will it be necessary to do any grading for any size buildings except to excaVate for foundations.
 A beautiful little brook, supplied by large mountain spring wends its way along one edge of this property, furnlsh- ing a constant supply of clead, swift, pure water, and making possible some or the most ideal little meadows in the south, while every acre of the land Is tiilaple and highly productive.
 On this property stands one of the most substantial beautiful and imposing resi- dences to be found in this part Of the state. This residence is furnished with all modern equipments, including Dath- rooms, hot and cold water, telephones and electric lights, together with all necessary outbuildngs of the most sub stantial character. This magnificent building was erected at a cost of $le,bOO. The building it stands will make splendid home for the superintendent or 1t will comfortably house 40 inmates, thus enabling the committee to open the home at once while the new buildings are in progress should they so desire.
 The present valuation of this property is S25.O00, and is offered as perpetual do- nation, together with free water and free medical attention for the home for term of five years. Yours respectfully,
 A w. BRISCOE, Chairman Committee for City of Jackson
 vile.
 Word About Jacksonville.
 A writer in the Manufacturer's Record says: "Considered as a. region combining all the resources and attractions for which any part of the south is noted. the immediate surroundings of Jacksonville are more than worthy of careful and critical examination. The site of Jackson vile Is what would be termed a park in the Rocky mountains. As happens out there, the ground upon which it is built, and that which forms the campaign With in the environing ridges, Is a finely un- dulating country, abounding in knolls, and everywhere drained perfectly
 On the eastern boundry of the city rises the Choccolocco mountains (spurs of the Apalachian chain) from 1200 to 1750 feet above sea level. On the western boundary lie foothills of this chain which rise to the height of 1000 feet Between these lies the city, at an elevation of 800 feet above sea level, completely sheltered, by the conformation of the country, from cy- clones, hurricanes or high winds. The scenery from the mountain heights Is the most entrancing of the south, covering a