The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-05-09

The following article was written py rrh,,rs+on IT Allen of Florence and was published in an l3~lana papei
 years ago: ,,.., o4 o
 I will give yoh hlstoly oI
 German colony located in Iauderdale county Alabama, about six mics horth- east of the city of Florence
 In 1873 a tract of land comprising zoOo acres was purchased by Dr. Houser, German Catholic priest, with the mten- ton of settling colonists of his own faith and nationality and making 1t the nucleus of a community.
 The lands purchased were worn ana turned out to grow up in briars and sedge-grass, as worthless and unnt Tor cultivation. This land was regarded as the poorest in the county and complete ly exhausted.
 Dr. Hauser built church and scnooi house and divided the tract into farms or from 10 to 40 acres, and placed thereon 45 families, all German Catholics, from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Illinois, Wisconsin, New York and other states, to whom ne sold this land at from S8 to $l5 per acre. according to location and improvements. These colonists had experienced the rlsors of the northern and western climates with the certainty of cold and drouth.
 They were all poor; their industry else where had not hitherto availed them to any great extent. It had taken all the fruits of their labor to sustain them up to this time so that most, If not all or them, were forced to go in debt for their lands Some of those who are the most prosperous and independent commenced with but one mule or steer with which to break and cultivate the soil. There is no question but for the first few years these colonists had a hard time. The exhausted lands had to be nursed back to life, buildings had to be erected, fences built and improvements of all kinds made, while the want of ready money was ter ribly against them.
 But patient industry accomplished won ders. Wood for fencing, fuel and build ing material was plentiful and cheap. Mild winters not only enabled them to wear lighter and less clothing, but to ef- feet a saving of fuel and to work at all seasons of the year out of doors.
 The soil, 1t was found, had wonderful powers of recuperation, took kindly to that great enricher clover and other grasses, was easily worked and responded readily to intelligent treatment The long summers enabled the farmer to grow and harvest two crops instead of one in each season, and it was found that in winter there were products hardy enough to withstand the slight amount Of freezing to which they were subjected.
 Vineyards and orchards were planted and it was not long before general i'm provment began tosbe apparent, not only in lands but in the colonists themselves As they gradually became more inde pendent they built better houses ant larger barns, adopted improved machine ry and raised better stock. until today we are informed that there is not fam fly among them that Is in debt. They pa, i cash for what they buy and ask credit O no man. Their houses are comfortable J their barns and barnyards are in goot order, their lands bring them every yea abundant crops of wheat at the rate ol 16 bushels per acre, Irish potatoes. cot, ton, clover, milet, vegetables of al kinds, while their vineyards afford enor nous yields of grapes, much of which ii made into wine of good quality, whicf finds ready sale.
 In 1873 this tract of land was deseri In the center of fertile lands. Today while its surroundings have lost none oi their fertility, it is noted for the heaviest crops and most prosperous farmers ir fhis section. These lands, once turned